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Thank you to all who have already filled out the survey we recently sent our membership regarding how our theater community is responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, ongoing concerns regarding operations and next season, and the DASH program and Gala.
If you have not already filled out the survey please consider doing so - the survey will close this Sunday, April 26. The survey includes questions about:
https://surveyhero.com/c/8781125a We want to hear your voice. Even if you are not a current EMACT member, you are invited to complete the survey. Your feedback will help us move forward with programming that best meets your needs. We have also included some questions to help us define your needs after the pandemic. Your answers will help us identify resources. Please remember that EMACT has also posted a collection of resources about the pandemic on our website and Facebook page. Thank you, in advance, for your feedback and responses. We look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, The EMACT Board of Directors The Coronavirus has drastically changed our lives in just a few short weeks. We're all experiencing the heartbreak of shows canceled and productions cut short—especially those so close to production or production-runs abruptly halted. Ultimately, the safety of our membership is our number one concern. We hope everyone is staying physically distant and maintaining a healthy amount of social connection. Technology and communications apps have become an integral way for us to connect. We will recover from this terrible pandemic, and the arts and creative process will be one of many keys to our recovery. EMACT is here to help deliver on this need.
EMACT has posted a collection of resources about the pandemic on our website and Facebook page. EMACT is also looking to work with AACT to host a recovery workshop. The topics include: Restarting your operations, marketing your theatre after the pandemic, and maintaining preparations in the "new temporary normal." Details will follow shortly. We realize that talking about the Gala and awards at this time could seem inappropriate and tone deaf to the reality of our plight. However, EMACT must make some decisions about the Gala, in the context of a shortened season and the restrictions around gathering to which we MUST all adhere. While we realize that hosting a traditional gala event is unlikely, we would like to celebrate the 50+ productions that were mounted this season. We are also looking to use the summer months to retool the program and are contemplating several changes. With all of that in mind, we would appreciate hearing your opinion. The below survey includes questions about:
Your feedback will help us move forward with programming that best meets your needs. We have also included some questions to help us define your needs after the pandemic. Your answers will help us identify resources. Thank you, in advance, for your feedback and responses. We look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, The EMACT Board of Directors We've received some questions regarding streaming performances, readings, and other works electronically during these trying times. While there is no absolute answer, groups should remember that most scripts are protected under US Copyright law and require a license to perform them, regardless of whether the performance is for an in-person audience, live-streamed, or recorded for future broadcast, or whether for admission or free of charge.
Each licensing agent (for example Concord Theatricals, Music Theater International, or Dramatists Play Service) has their own work-specific requirements for performance licensing. They may offer certain temporary exemptions or allowances to address COVID-19 concerns, but that is NOT guaranteed. We advise checking with your licensing agent in all cases before any performance of a work. AACT FREE Webinar - Friday April 17, 2pm EST
Theatrical Publishers Respond to COVID-19: What Comes Next? Join AACT for a Q&A webinar on the state and impact of COVID-19 on the publishing industry. Get answers on licensing and show selection from Music Theatre International, Concord Theatricals, Dramatists Play Service, & Theatrical Rights Worldwide. Register Free: zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_QsgvZFZXSIKrjoie2qwX-Q The Coronavirus pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for all sectors of society, but the arts have been hit particularly hard. We've collected a group of informational and emergency funding resources for our members and the entire theater community. This is an evolving resource, and we welcome your input for other resources or links that may be helpful to our entire community during this time.
Please visit; EMACT Coronavirus Resources To Our Valued EMACT Members:
Many companies in our membership have made the hard decision to cancel performances due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the interruption of the season and the fact that we don’t want to put our DASH Consultants at risk, we have decided to temporarily suspend the DASH program until there is official notification that is once again safe for performances to take place. If you have a show that was due to be seen by a consultant in the next few weeks, be advised that we will be happy to issue you a refund for the cost of the DASH or you can apply the payment toward a show for the 2020-21 season, which will begin on July 1, 2020. Please contact us at dash@emact.org with your preference, and any other questions you might have. Notes for any DASH Plus shows that have already been seen will be sent out in the next few weeks. Much of the advice from the organizations on the front lines of the pandemic response involves cancelling or rescheduling activities between two weeks and one month out. Given that our annual Gala is recognition of an entire season’s worth of community theater productions—and many of this season’s productions are tragically being cancelled—we should expect to make some changes to the awards program and perhaps even the Gala itself. However, it’s very early in the process, so we can only assure you that we will work closely with you to figure out how, and when, we celebrate together. It goes without saying that we are very sad to have to take this step, but we feel it’s in the best interest of our membership and our consultants. All the Best, EMACT Board of Directors To Our Valued Theater Group Community:
You’ve no doubt been inundated with notices about COVID-19. We recognize that the decisions you may have to make about auditions, rehearsals, and productions have profound impacts to you, and EMACT would like to help you navigate this uncharted territory. We have collected material from a number of organizations’ guiding messages about this pandemic. What you read below is an aggregation of considerations and best practices. Should we proceed with our production as scheduled? While EMACT can’t recommend a “one-size-fits-all” way to address how community theater organizations should respond to this pandemic, the following advice has been provided by the Governor via mass.gov:
What should we do if we choose to proceed?
What about the implications of cancelling our production? Cancelling a production is an incredibly difficult decision to which to come. Many organizations have felt compelled to do it. It is not, however, without impact. Considerations include the impact to revenue and cash flow, disappointing a hard-working cast and crew, and turning away faithful patrons. This is an opportunity to ask your patrons to renew their support in the face of a challenging situation for any non-profit organization. Know that some of your audience will be willing to show their support during this challenging time by turning their ticket purchase price into a donation. Don’t be afraid to mitigate the impact to your organization by making that plea. Organizations across the Commonwealth are planning-on between two-week and 30-day breaks. Those plans are being adopted across the state because they make sense based on today’s status. However, conventional wisdom about how to navigate these uncharted waters has changed daily and EMACT will continue to gather information to support you as you the situation evolves. Do you have questions or feedback? Please feel free to reach out to President@EMACT.org Sincerely, EMACT Board of Directors EMACT is excited to present a Stage Management Workshop, October 26th at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts!
If you are a Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager or have any interest in becoming a Stage Manager, join us and our team of esteemed panelists for a great discussion on Stage Management! Our panel of experienced Stage Managers will talk about their approach to managing a show, what it takes to be a Stage Manager, how to get started, resources for new Stage Managers, and many other topics. Please share this with members of your group and if you know someone that would be a great stage manager - invite them to attend! Where: Hopkinton Center for the Arts, 98 Hayden Rowe St., Hopkinton MA When: Saturday, October 26, 3PM-5PM Cost: FREE! Register Here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/emact-stage-management-workshop-registration-75395372589 Don't have your tickets for the Gala yet?
Early Bird pricing ends TODAY so don't wait! Early Bird tickets are $40, and go up to $45 tomorrow so make sure you don't miss the fun! https://www.ticketstage.com/T/EMACT Don't miss EMACT's Annual DASH Gala on Saturday, August 24 at 6pm at Cary Hall in Lexington MA!
Tickets are now available through TicketStage here: https://www.ticketstage.com/T/EMACT Click on "Select Performance" to start the process. DON'T FORGET - Since we are utilizing TicketStage this year, individuals and groups can choose their own seating! This means groups wishing to sit together should anticipate coordinating among their attendees, or purchasing blocks of tickets. |
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