Theaters are still feeling the effects of the pandemic, as performances continue to be canceled due to COVID-19. After a successful two-week run of “The Sound of Music,” the director of the Little Theatre of Winston-Salem’s production said some positive tests started popping up.”Four or five of our principal roles tested positive,” said Seph Schonekas. “We thought we’d done everything right. We even had understudies lined up for all the various parts, which is not traditional in community theater. But it got to the point where we were pulling understudies of understudies and we just couldn’t make it happen.”Schonekas said it was a full cast decision to cancel the remaining performances, but it was still extremely difficult.”Everyone had worked so hard and they really produced a beautiful show,” he said. “I’m just very sad and disappointed in myself, a little bit, I wasn’t able to get it across the finish line.”In a similar boat, the Little Theatre of Kernersville had already canceled two shows due to COVID-19, but posted on Facebook that it hoped its production of “Bright Star” could shine again the following weekend. Only a few days later, another Facebook post came with a banner reading “ALL REMAINING PERFORMANCES CANCELLED.””In reviewing safety protocols, we did not feel that we could go on this weekend without undue risk to our performers,” the theater said in the post. “Thank you to all who have sent your love and well wishes-we can’t do what we do without you!”The Kernersville cast and crew have decided to reschedule some performances post-quarantines and the Independence Day holiday, with a tentative run from July 15-17. The theatre said for transfers and/or refunds of tickets, email office@kltheatre.com.The cast of “The Sound of Music” will not get another big break, unfortunately. Schonekas said the canceled shows will cost the Little Theatre of Winston-Salem about $20,000. “In community theater, that’s very difficult to overcome,” he said. “That’s payroll they’re not going to have. That’s facilities and future investment they’re not going to have.”Schonekas is encouraging ticket holders to not ask for refunds, considering their ticket price a donation to the theater. “If you can stand with us now in a time when community theaters really need your help,” Schonekas said. “We would appreciate it.”Contact The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem’s box office to donate your ticket, or to request any exchanges or refunds: 336-725-4001 or boxoffice@ltofws.org.
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. —
Theaters are still feeling the effects of the pandemic, as performances continue to be canceled due to COVID-19.
After a successful two-week run of “The Sound of Music,” the director of the Little Theatre of Winston-Salem’s production said some positive tests started popping up.
“Four or five of our principal roles tested positive,” said Seph Schonekas. “We thought we’d done everything right. We even had understudies lined up for all the various parts, which is not traditional in community theater. But it got to the point where we were pulling understudies of understudies and we just couldn’t make it happen.”
Schonekas said it was a full cast decision to cancel the remaining performances, but it was still extremely difficult.
“Everyone had worked so hard and they really produced a beautiful show,” he said. “I’m just very sad and disappointed in myself, a little bit, I wasn’t able to get it across the finish line.”
In a similar boat, the Little Theatre of Kernersville had already canceled two shows due to COVID-19, but posted on Facebook that it hoped its production of “Bright Star” could shine again the following weekend.
Only a few days later, another Facebook post came with a banner reading “ALL REMAINING PERFORMANCES CANCELLED.”
“In reviewing safety protocols, we did not feel that we could go on this weekend without undue risk to our performers,” the theater said in the post. “Thank you to all who have sent your love and well wishes-we can’t do what we do without you!”
The Kernersville cast and crew have decided to reschedule some performances post-quarantines and the Independence Day holiday, with a tentative run from July 15-17. The theatre said for transfers and/or refunds of tickets, email office@kltheatre.com.
The cast of “The Sound of Music” will not get another big break, unfortunately. Schonekas said the canceled shows will cost the Little Theatre of Winston-Salem about $20,000.
“In community theater, that’s very difficult to overcome,” he said. “That’s payroll they’re not going to have. That’s facilities and future investment they’re not going to have.”
Schonekas is encouraging ticket holders to not ask for refunds, considering their ticket price a donation to the theater.
“If you can stand with us now in a time when community theaters really need your help,” Schonekas said. “We would appreciate it.”
Contact The Little Theatre of Winston-Salem’s box office to donate your ticket, or to request any exchanges or refunds: 336-725-4001 or boxoffice@ltofws.org.
