How Are You Doing?

Thanks for checking in on us! How are you doing?

It’s OK if you’re struggling. It’s also OK if you’re not. We’re all handling this in our own way, and we at Theatre Huntsville are finding our way. Theatre is by its nature a social activity, and social distancing presents new challenges for us to consider and overcome.

But even now, the show must go on, even if it means redefining the show!

We’re proud of our resolve through this situation and wanted to share with the public and our theatre family some of what’s going on with Theatre Huntsville.

First, if you haven’t already done so, please check out this video greeting from our Executive Director Leslie Gates. She has some honest words for our patrons about how we’re managing plans for upcoming performances and the coming season. Spoiler alert: like the rest of the world, we as of yet have no long-term answers, but the remaining planned shows for this season, Things My Mother Taught Me, On Golden Pond, and Red, will not proceed as scheduled. We are, of course, constantly evaluating our options for future performances and will update you as soon as we have answers.

On the home front, we can report that our Production Manager Josh Phillips and several awesome volunteers have wasted no time using this opportunity to continue to revitalize the the Studio Theatre at Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment. With strict adherence to social distancing of course, progress has been made to rebuild the stage, deep clean the green room, and revamp the on-site scene shop. This is a bright silver lining to all the lost rehearsal, audition, and performance time. We’re looking forward to this theatre seeing use again when it’s safe to do so. As some experts are predicting that the relaxation of social distancing will happen gradually, we’re hopeful that this smaller venue may be able to be among the first to safely present performances to the public. Fingers crossed!

We are also increasing our presence on YouTube during this ‘intermission’ for Theatre Huntsville. Of particular note is our launch of The Lockdown Lounge. We’re inviting members of our theatre family to record script readings, monologues, songs, original work - anything to keep community theatre alive while social distancing restrictions are in effect. While online content to consume is nearly without end, we know people in our community want to see their local friends being creative and sharing with each other! Video editing assistance is available for submissions, so we encourage you to submit what you can. Questions and content may be emailed to lockdownlounge@gmail.com.

Finally, for those of you who are able, remember that Theatre Huntsville will need your support during this time. We intend to keep producing as much creative, local content as we can under the circumstances, and we know all of us will be aching for some live entertainment once this is all over! In the meantime, please do consider support of your local artists. Social distancing protects our bodies, but we still need the arts to nourish our hearts and souls. Donations can be made to Theatre Huntsville here, and please keep an eye out for future creative opportunities to offer your support.

We look forward to hearing from you, and to sharing the creative shenanigans of our theatre family with our patrons very soon!