Dear Theatrikos Members and Patrons,
As we are all well aware, the Covid-19 pandemic has meant “normal” has gone out the window. That’s certainly true with performing arts—and Theatrikos is no exception. I wanted to give you an update on how Theatrikos is proactively navigating our world health crisis and what kind of impact this has on your show tickets.
Rescheduling Shows
First the good news—because I’m always a good-news-first person. The artistic committee at the theatre has rearranged our show schedule so that many of your shows should go on.Tentatively. Very tentatively. We are still hoping (fingers crossed) to reopen and perform many of the shows that were on the season schedule. But exactly how many we do remains uncertain. The spirit of Broadway is strong at Theatrikos. The drive to make sure that the show goes on is at the very core of who we are. But more powerful than that is a love of our neighbors and our Flagstaff home. So health concerns always take precedence.
Some Shows Canceled
Unfortunately, this means the powerful drama Other Desert Cities has officially been canceled. As have studio shows 5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche and Well. Although we’re considering the three for 2021.
Financial Impact
Financially, canceling a show, even small Studio Series shows, will have a profound impact on the theatre. Like arts organizations around the country and around Flagstaff are doing, if you have bought a ticket to Other Desert Cities, we’re asking that you donate that ticket purchase to the theatre. I know I have already personally done so with other theatre tickets I had purchased in Flagstaff. As arts organizations struggle through this, your generosity is appreciated.
Season Ticket Holders
To our wonderful season ticket holders, we’re in the process of coming up with a plan for how to convert or switch or juggle your season tickets. We’ll try to make this as easy as possible. Of course, it all depends on exactly when we reopen. So we don’t have final answers yet. But rest assured, we’re working on it.
Ten Minute Plays Online
In the meantime, we’ve launched ten minute plays that you can watch online! Last week we performed Sweet Child of Mine. On our new podcast streaming show Live from the Theatre Basement (wt) you can watch short plays or interviews with art leaders. The show was launched quickly and is very much still a work in progress.The show is live every Sunday at 7:30 pm on YouTube and also available on our Facebook page. We’re working on wider distribution.
Disaster Relief
Theatrikos has received disaster relief funding from the Paycheck Protection Plan (PPP), WalMart and Flagstaff Arts Council. We also have a dozen more grant applications in the works. We’re doing our best to be ready to reopen as soon as CDC gives public venues the green light and it is safe.
Light at the End of the Tunnel
I know based on last year’s sewage flooding industrial accident at the theatre, which brought out passion and hard work of the cast and crew of Theatrikos and the helpfulness of the community, that there is an amazing spirit of kindness and goodwill in Flagstaff. Together we will get through this. Even if it takes a while—the show will go on.
Chris Verrill
Executive Director
Theatrikos