COVID-19 and NWCT Community Theatre

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COVID-19 and NWCT Community Theatre

Alyssa Archambault • Jul 15, 2020

The Impact of COVID-19 on NWCT Community Theatre

The COVID-19 pandemic has heavily effected all forms of art and artists across the country and the world. However, out of all genres of art, the pandemic has perhaps taken the biggest toll on theatre. With Broadway going dark until 2021, community, school, and professional theatres all over the world have had to make the difficult decision to go dark and remain that way for an extended period of time. This article focuses on the community theaters of NWCT and the impact the pandemic has had on them, and includes links to donate to all of the theatres mentioned!

Warner Theatre - Torrington, CT

"The impact of Covid-19 was immediate with a venue of the Warner's size, (1700 seats in our Main Stage and 300 in the studio) and we have been shut down since March 13th. We had to furlough all staff except for myself (Executive Director) and the Director of Operations and have only recently been able to start bringing on staff through the shared work program. Because of the size of our venue we are likely going to be facing capacity restrictions through the rest of this year and into the first quarter of next year. There is a massive financial impact as well, as we rely on ticket sales and bringing our community together to generate revenue. We had about $300,000 in ticket sales that were directly impacted and have been delayed into 2021 and estimate $250-300,000 in lost revenue from lack of rentals, shows and fundraising."

"There is also a large regional impact on other nonprofits who use our space, families that rely on our summer camp and education programs, and the businesses who rely on us bringing in around 100,000 people to downtown Torrington every year. We have been using our social media and newsletters to keep in touch with our community, and using our platforms to signal boost other organizations who are able to operate in our region. This is the primary way we are also assisting the community and public, by using our network to promote ways artists and other organizations can find relief during the pandemic. There have been some great efforts to exit our silos and connect across sectors to find ways to support the community at this time."

"This is a bleak time for performing arts, as many people around the country have lost their jobs and are hurting. We need performing arts spaces to bring the community together to heal when this is all over. If people are interested in helping their local performing arts centers they should reach out and ask what they can do. Donations help, purchasing shows that are still on sale (with the knowledge that dates may change!), or donating ticket prices instead of asking for refunds. The other way that you can help is email or call your representatives and elected officials to let them know how important these performing art centers are to your communities and businesses. Using your voice to show how important art is will go a long way to ensuring the future for Northwest Connecticut."

- Rufus de Rham, Executive Director

Donate to the Warner Theatre Here

Landmark Community Theatre - Thomaston, CT

“COVID-19 has caused us to shut down all live performances in the Thomaston Opera House, resulting in over $150,000 in lost revenue. The pandemic has also impacted our fundraising abilities; one fundraiser was canceled and the other postponed to the end of July."

“To stay in touch with patrons, we communicated through email and social media. We made personalized videos with updated messages and provided behind the scenes videos of our facilities. We have been able to produce a few Zoom/Youtube performances for our audiences to view at home, including a live organ concert and a live reading of “The Letter Project.” We are working to stream some of our past shows. Our volunteers have been anxious to participate in virtual programs. With some restrictions being lifted, volunteers are returning to the Opera House to help clean, paint, and prepare for reopening.

“If you would like to help out the Opera House, the most effective way is through donations. We are constantly modifying our budget and looking for ways to stretch our limited funds to make it back to reopen. Ticket refunds are costly, so we ask anyone holding tickets to hold them until we can reopen and mount the scheduled shows from 2020. We will also offer unlimited exchanges for the foreseeable future. Though of course, patrons are always entitled to a full refund, but we would ask these patrons to consider receiving credit for a future production or to make the refund a donation to the LCT. This would help LCT’s cash flow tremendously.”

“As we move forward, I am hopeful that all of the community theaters and performing arts organizations can help each other support their missions and get back to normal operations.”

“LCT is looking for opportunities to expand how we present performing arts. We are looking at combinations of live performances that will also be streamed; patrons with limitations or concerns will be able to watch from their homes while others will be able to return and experience live theatre. We are also interested in collaborating with other groups to present in the Opera House.”

- Gary Kingsbury, Chair

Donate to Landmark Community Theatre Here

The Goshen Players - Goshen, CT

"The Goshen Players is a small community theater that has continually produced shows since 1949. In addition to producing shows, we own and maintain our historic building. The pandemic has forced us to close our doors and postpone our next in person production until the spring of 2021. We’ve suffered a loss of revenue as well as the ability to do what we love - theater. On a more positive note, the pandemic has given us the time to step back and review our current processes in an attempt to become more efficient. We’ve looked at inventive ways to raise revenue and use our space. COVID-19 has forced us to think creatively and appreciate everything and everyone involved at the theater."

"We’ve been involved in some virtual readings and have had a virtual paint night. We plan on presenting two additional virtual readings in the fall. Over the next few months we plan on emailing our patrons with our plans for 2021. With respect to educating the public, we have been reviewing presenting some readings that will challenge our audience to think differently. We’re also reviewing our 2021 season to look for opportunities to present some more diverse productions."

"People can attend our virtual offerings, as they are announced, and continue to donate. With no ticket sales for a year we are relying on donations to pay the bills. We are continually evaluating creative options to raise the capital needed to keep our building in good repair until we can once again open out doors."

- Joe Guttadaro, Vice President

Donate to the Goshen Players

Grumbling Gryphons Theatre Company - West Cornwall, CT

"Grumbling Gryphons has been seriously impacted by COVID-19, as our interactive theater work takes place in venues such as schools, theaters, libraries, summer camps, senior centers, etc. Due to Covid-19 our entire spring season was cancelled and the majority of our summer season was cancelled/postponed. To remain viable and sustain our services throughout this uncertain time of social distancing, we needed to shift gears and transform our live dramatic productions into interactive digital performances and workshops for children. The strange silver lining of this pandemic was that it provided us with a huge creative challenge which we have actively embraced. We are now offering and launching a variety of engaging, interactive virtual programs, including master classes, performances and a new hybrid combination of “real life” physical theater programs mixed with virtual visibility and engagement."

"I have found that fellow performing artists and performance venues large and small are actively informing the public about the serious challenge that we all face. It is essential and necessary that artists stay informed and help inform our audiences about the importance of keeping the arts alive, especially during this daunting, unprecedented time. Special outdoor performances observing strict COVID 19 social distancing are now beginning to be held outdoors in parking lots, lawns, parks and responsible COVID- protocol is being observed. Arts Councils such as NWCT provide valuable information about the arts and strive to feature artists and connect them to each other and to the public community."

"We greatly appreciate your support! All donations are tax-deductible and are needed now more than ever to help us through this entire year! We greatly appreciate volunteers to help our theater."

"Despite the myriad challenges of COVID-19 affecting our world, I have found a silver lining; despite the hardships, the love and appreciation of our fellow humans has brought our world closer together and made it a better place. It is time for artists to lead the way in bringing the community together, whether physically, virtually or spiritually. Now is the time to be increasingly creative, resourceful and resilient! The show must go on!"

- Leslie Elias, Artistic Director

Donate to Grumbling Gryphons Theatre Company Here

List of Services

TheatreWorks - New Milford, CT

"TheatreWorks had to end our season early, only after the first of five scheduled shows. Our plan right now is to reopen in September with smaller, scaled-down productions. We will also be putting new safety and cleanliness procedures in place to make our patrons comfortable and safe. We sent out a survey to our patrons asking how they have been affected by the pandemic, what their plans are to attend theater, and what TheatreWorks can do to make them feel the most comfortable at any given performance."

"We send periodic emails to update our followers about our plans and intentions regarding the future of TheatreWorks. Participating in our survey and sending financial support are our two asks. Specifically, once we reopen in September, we hope patrons will attend the productions or, if not, tell us what we can do or where we can improve to take any stress out of their experience at the theater."

- Mary Kimball, Administrator

Donate to TheatreWorks Here

Despite the hardships the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on theaters in Northwest CT and around the country, the strength of those who love the theatre will prevail. Below are resources to help mitigate the effect that COVID-19 has had on community theaters.