Jessica (Jessie) Michael Bogese

An Inspiring Life

Richmond Times-Dispatch

In December, 2022, Virginia Rep received a $1 million naming gift from Susan Stevens Bogese and her two children, Allyson Bogese Ashcraft (Jay) and Michael Bogese III, to name the main theatre at our new Virginia Rep Center in memory of their daughter/sibling Jessica (Jessie) Michael Bogese, who passed away unexpectedly in March, 2021.

Jessie would have turned 43 on December 10th, and that was the day we welcomed the family to the new facility for a private ceremony and champagne toast to name the theatre at Virginia Rep Center for Arts and Education in her memory.

In the early 1990s, Jessie Bogese had a birthday party at Virginia Rep’s predecessor, Theatre IV. Throughout her life, Jessie reminisced with her mom about how that particular party stood out in her memory, because she was treated like royalty in front of her friends. Jessie had cerebral palsy and despite her disability was very active in theatre, dance, and art.

When Susan Bogese saw the Richmond Times-Dispatch news coverage regarding Virginia Rep’s purchase of The Scottish Rite Temple, she was moved to call. Susan let our Director of Development, Emily Cole-Jones, know that she had been searching for something positive to do with the funds in Jessie’s estate to honor her memory.

After several conversations with Susan, Cole-Jones said, “She has shared with us how Jessie was quiet and shy, but that she loved theatre and dance, and once she was on stage, she was transformed. Her disability took a back seat to her talent.”

“Even though Jessie didn’t like a lot of attention,” Bogese said, “We felt that she would be happy that her story might be able to inspire hundreds of kids to take risks, overcome challenges, and pursue their talents.”

Obituary: Jessica (Jessie) M. Bogese