Auditorium Seating For Performance Center

The proportion of scarlet dates in 2020 has exceeded. for

He will never forget Thursday, March 12th.

The singers rehearse in the dressing room in Morristown

Their

program. As the COVID-19 infection rate in New Jersey rises, Governor Phil Murphy urges

A public gathering of more than 250 people.

"We basically said,'We are sorry, but I can't introduce you tonight'," said Kirchdoerffer, the general manager of the 1,319-seat theater.

Immediately, MPAC's business model was subverted. "Now, everything you enjoy on the concert venue becomes irrelevant. Every way we operate now is invalid." He said.

The number of weeks of closure became months. The number of cancellations has surged. Like the entire American art institutions, MPAC is scrambling to maintain its popularity without end.

The non-profit organization launched an ambitious online course for young people and adults in the spring. In the summer, seven outdoor concerts of "Driving Through" with a long social distance were brought. Subsequently, there were 13 small indoor activities and 11 live performances.

Kirchdoerffer said that despite the reductions in personnel, most of these efforts were fortunate to break even.

MPAC is waiting to see if any

In the latest stimulus bill.

Kirchdoerffer hopes that the vaccine will be rescued in 2021, thereby achieving full capacity performance later this year.

Even though the door is open and the South Street stage is illuminated every night for rescheduled performances, it is not clear how many customers will comfortably return inside.

It is uncertain how many popular 60s behaviors, children's performances and smaller works will survive the long vacation. Will foreign symphony orchestras and dance groups even be allowed to enter the country?

Kirchdoerffer predicted: "It may take about two years to eliminate all these things."

During the "normal" period, MPAC hosts about 200 performances a year, bringing about $15 million in revenue to the economy of Greater Morristown.

The pandemic figures paint a more vivid picture.

A good year may generate 11 million US dollars in ticket revenue. Since July, MPAC’s patchwork products have generated only approximately $200,000 in total revenue.

"For us, this is usually a weekend...a weekend with a big show," Kirchdoerffer said.

In the first half of 2020, 31 events were cancelled, but no time was scheduled. These include the theater’s annual community performance, which promises four major audiences

23 performances in the fall have been rescheduled. And reschedule. And reschedule. Hermann's hermit concert has been postponed

Time, so far.

Kirchdoerffer said that of MPAC's 35 full-time employees, 10 were on leave, while 50 part-time teachers, production staff, box office staff and parking attendants had almost no jobs.

However, there is still hope.

By 2020, MPA will receive nearly $550,000 from the federal compensation protection program through the New Jersey Arts Council and $135,000 from the CARES Act fund.

Donors have also stepped up their actions. Kirchdoerffer said that the spring recovery campaign raised $160,000, and the 45-minute virtual dinner in the fall raised another $360,000.

"I can't thank our community enough to support us in such an incredible way and help MPAC during this time,"

, President and CEO of MPAC.

To enhance public safety, the theater has spent approximately US$100,000 to improve ventilation and install non-contact fixtures.

MPAC has also invested in equipment for live broadcasts. Customers have paid up to $25 to watch high-definition concerts at home. Kirchdoerffer said that the holiday show attracted as many as 100 viewers.

at the same time,

It is the generator behind the MPAC theater education program, which has been turned to speeding. Virtual courses for teenagers were expanded in May, including impromptu and dubbing courses for adults.

Later this month, the MPAC Performing Arts School will open for six weeks

Online courses.

Topics range from yoga and meditation to drinking and singing lessons with cabaret performers. Professionals recruited from Roy's extensive performance business network will host behind-the-scenes exploration activities of the Broadway musical and the "New Jersey Symphony".

"We may be kept at home for most of the winter. January and February are depressing months. It is a way of... spending time with people, having fun, reducing stress and loneliness Method," Kirchdorfer said.

He added that along these lines of thinking, virtual coffee shops and dance parties are designed for teenagers who are eager to leave school for distance learning. Courses range from US$75 to US$125.

Larena believes that history is in MPAC.

The Community Theater was established in 1937 as a movie theater that survived the Great Depression and was rescued from the rubble by the community decades later. Volunteers and philanthropists gathered and transformed it into a showcase for top artists such as Ringo Starr, Tony Bennett and the late Natalie Cole.

Larena said: "MPAC has shown great resilience in its long history, especially in the past year."

The two social events convinced her that the coronavirus did not kill the public's appetite for live music.

MPAC's first skip-the-line concert rock singer

At Fosterfield in June. Jazz Trio

The theater was reopened in October and the seats were reduced.

She worried that no one would come in and reopen. Larena said: "But, many people have done this." "You can hear the deafening cheers and applause outside the audience,".

"It was surreal and great. After experiencing the joy and appreciation of everyone who took the adventure that night, I realized that although our path forward is extremely challenging, we will work together."

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San Antonio-This is their first solo performance since March. The San Antonio Youth Band (YOSA) is worried about COVID-19

The decision to cancel the first performance of the 2020/2021 season is not easy for the leadership. Since August, the orchestra serving more than 400 young musicians has been practicing for the upcoming winter performance.

Ian Fernandes, a violinist of the YOSA Philharmonic Orchestra, said: “It’s amazing to know that I can return to the music industry.” 

The recent cancellation marks another defeat for the Tobin Center. Since the reopening in June at the governor’s instructions, President and CEO Michael Fresher stated that scheduling and rescheduling performances remains an ongoing challenge. However, he added that his employees are operating the theater in accordance with the CDC agreement and below capacity.

"Many of our safety procedures provide hand sanitizer and masks for everyone who enters the building. Before entering the building, we will scan the temperature of everyone entering the building. We also use electrostatic cleaners before each performance Clean the building." Fresher said.

It is worth noting that the biggest change in the theater is the seating arrangement.  

"We can actually flip it under the basement across another row and make it disappear. This makes six feet between each row. When we sit people on the seats, we make sure that between each group There are two seats reserved between the number of customers, so we also have six feet of social distance." He said.

Despite various efforts, YOSA was finally cancelled due to the recent increase in local coronavirus cases. The organization issued the following statement:

In response, Forrester said that the choice of performance depends on the performance.

A YOSA spokeswoman said that the organization hopes to hold a competition at the Tobin Center by mid-2021.

Christine Gradl Seitz, executive director of Duluth Playhouse, said that because the COVID-19 pandemic has forced theaters and performance venues to close, many once-vibrant organizations are struggling to survive, and people behind the scenes often feel almost forgotten. .

She said: "It is really shocking that very few people pay attention to art and cultural groups."

But this will change with the "Save the Stage" bill recently approved by Congress, which is expected to provide $15 billion in aid to troubled theaters and arts groups.

Regarding the issue of obtaining some of these aid funds, Glad Seitz said: "Of course, we hold our breath."

The Duluth Playhouse, along with hundreds of other organizations across the country, provides support for the COVID-19 relief program, but Gradl Seitz said that it is supervised by the Small Business Administration (Small Business Administration). The plan is still too new to know exactly how it will work.

She said: "We are a bit stuck, waiting to understand what is about to happen."

However, Roger Reinert, interim executive director of the Duluth Entertainment and Convention Center, expects that funding from the SOS Act will help his organization. The grant provided by the program is equivalent to 45% of the recipient's total income in 2019.

"Of course we are qualified," Reinert said. "This is just a question: Are Bayfront and Amsoil and DECC Arena activities and auditoriums counted as the assistance we get? After the SBA has developed guidelines, how to solve the problem is just a question. But we should be 100% eligible for the grant ."

Tony Cuneo, executive director of Zeitgeist, a non-profit arts organization in Duluth, said he is still waiting to see the official standard for SOS assistance, but based on what he has heard, he is still optimistic.

"Four of our five major programs have been profoundly affected by COVID: performance theaters, restaurants, movie theaters, and theater companies. COVID has had a profound impact on all of these," Cuneo said.

Sheila Smith, executive director of the Minnesota Civic Art Association, said that SBA is expected to release details of the SOS program within a few weeks.

The "SOS Act" aims to put some of the arts and theater organizations that need the most help in the first place. In the first 14 days after the start of the plan, priority will be given to organizations whose income has fallen 90% or more between April 1, 2020 and the end of the year. In the next few weeks, the priority group will be expanded to include organizations whose revenue has fallen by 70% or more during the same period.

Smith said that she thinks this approach "is really smart, and points out that the art world has been destroyed by the pandemic and many organizations have quietly disappeared."

"So, every dollar they get from the COVID relief fund is expected to help them survive to the other end. But, man, this will be a difficult road." She said.

Smith (Smith) said that health authorities predict that it may take nine months for the epidemic to be brought under control.

However, some much-needed theaters and art organizations may not be eligible for SOS help.

Bob Boone opened the West Theatre in West Duluth in the fall of 2019, a few months before the pandemic.

He said: "We set out to build the best movie theater, and the budget was excessive, and it took too long." But he pointed out that this nearly $2 million project started with the crude shell of a theater that has been closed. 40 years. years.

Boone said: "We lost money, so poor that I can't afford the letters of the big tent," Boone added. In the end he pooled enough money to buy the letters of the "Lion King", and used each letter as needed. The price of $15 adds each character for subsequent titles.

He said: "Actually, one month before COVID, I turned the corner because I was lucky, and then the business disappeared from the earth."

With only a few months of operating income data starting in 2019, he may not be eligible for help through the SOS program, but Boone said he appears to be eligible for help from the Minnesota Cinema Relief Program.

Boone said: "There are still many mysteries for several different reasons, but if all goes well, there are all kinds of positive energy."

Cuneo said that Zinema employees must be creative in order to respond to changing rules.

"Suffice to say that this is necessary, and our team is encouraged to achieve these keys and continue to provide the community with truly outstanding programming capabilities. But we really miss someone in our space," he said.

Zeitgeist's Zinema provides a channel to watch art movies online.

He said: “Our performance theater has been broadcasting live concerts and helping artists raise funds to use Teatro as a safe performance venue and have the technology to stream works.”

Gradl Seitz stated that the theater retained "the backbone of the staff, who have done a very good job of maintaining our presence and maintaining relevance."

She said: "What's worse is doing nothing." "So we must continue to do something. We must continue to be part of this community and rebuild it. Not taking any action will only put us in a weaker position. , Cannot reopen."

The Playhouse is engaged in some online streaming media production, which Gradl Seitz admits is unprofitable.

"They only spend money. But, having said that, some of our online courses do a good job and make the connection between people more important. It allows the communication between artists and people who want to support art to continue. Therefore, even if you pay a certain price, I think it is vital to the health of the organization," she said.

Governor Tim Walz recently authorized the theater to reopen at no more than 25% of the production capacity. Gardl Seitz said that the Northell Theater has already planned seating and can still keep guests gathering. The 6-foot distance between them further reduces the inventory of available seats.

She said: "As a result, it was hit much deeper than people thought."

Nevertheless, Gradl Seitz expressed confidence.

"We will do it. Without help, we will never be able to achieve this goal. But so far, we have achieved this. Of course, we are one of thousands of art groups that are consuming Our reserves. At the expense of the financial stability of the Playhouse and NorShor Theater, this is at the cost of all our efforts for them," she said.

Cuneo said he hopes the aid will reach all parts of the country faster, "because we have lost some truly unique cultural organizations, independent restaurants and theaters."

He said: "I know some people have closed their doors, and this may be a permanent loss." "It takes a lot of time to start these jobs. If they have found success before, there is no guarantee that they will find success again."

But Cuneo is still optimistic.

He said: "I think if we can get some support, it is very important to get us through the back end of this pandemic and allow us to welcome people back to our building." I think we can be sure We will. "

The stage is quiet.

Seat-empty.

Waiting for the reopening of several theater owners delayed.

Mark Tannenbaum, executive director of the Collective League of Performing Artists, said: “We set a season, but we cancelled it.” Since the spring, his theater has been as quiet as other theaters.

During the pandemic, Tannenbaum and PACA also bear the financial burden. He said that the livelihoods of the performers were taken away. 

Tannenbaum said: "We just can't create art." "Therefore, apart from financial responsibility, we can't afford to do our favorite things."

Paul Urbanowicz of the Station Dinner Theater also understands this struggle. He said that funding from county-level appropriations had helped him reach this point, but he was worried about the future of the building.

Actually-he almost went bankrupt earlier this year. 

Ubanowicz said: "At that time we were studying the borrowed funds, and the grant provided a lot of help." "Now we have to spend the entire winter, so that is the main thing now."

Fortunately, there is a lighthouse in the distance. This light is in the form of $15 billion from the newly launched stimulus plan-specifically to help theaters get funding.

The money will be distributed like a grant. If the theater is approved, it will receive two grants: one is now and the other is in the spring. 

The purpose is to ensure that the small performing arts center remains afloat during the forced closure.

In the eyes of Larry Lewis, for all his performing arts theaters and others, this investment opportunity comes at the right time. He said: "This is very important." "Without stimulating funding, [the theater] will take a long time to catch up. The sooner it is, the better."

In fact, every director has the same feeling. This money came when the directors needed their lifeblood, and it was a way to save their business and livelihood.

Tannenbaum said: "We still have huge gas and water bills. Those things will not go away."

Zach Flock, the creative director of Dramashop, agreed. Flock said: "An organization with professional staff is very important for them to open their doors."   

For Urbanowicz, money is a question of safety and insecurity. Without funds, he is not sure what the future holds.

However, as long as he obtains a grant, he can almost guarantee that as long as there is a safety hazard, as long as he does so in 2021, he can open the door for performances.

Urbanowicz said: "This will allow my theater and all other theaters to survive until we can really reopen." "We want to return to our favorite place, I know the performers here want the opportunity to return to the stage as soon as possible. Come on. This money will provide more than just help."

This story was supported by the Economic Hardship Reporting Project.

Sensitive to art and its dissatisfaction

After months of intense negotiations, the U.S. Congress

Designed to promote the country’s pandemic economy. The stimulus deals include paying $600 to most Americans, increasing federal unemployment benefits, payroll protection program (PPP) loans for companies, and vaccine distribution funds.

In the major victory of the art world in the hardest hit area, the deal was allocated to

Suitable for live music venues, independent movie theaters and cultural institutions, the method is to

After being launched in both houses of the U.S. Congress this summer,

.

"These places are very important to my state and many other states across the country. They are the lifeblood of our community. They were the first to close and will be the last to open. This bill gives them a chance to fight,"

In the Congress Hall this weekend.

The relief plan also included the creation of a Smithsonian museum dedicated to American women and Latin history after the two museums were billed separately.

. The initiator of the bill has sent a letter to the legislator

In any year-end transaction; the museum has now been approved by Congress.

In addition to the US$900 billion economic relief agreement, the US$1.4 trillion appropriation plan for the next fiscal year also includes an increase of US$2 million for the IMLS Museum Service Office, with a total budget of US$40.5 million, and an increase of 525 for each of the national endowments. Ten thousand U.S. dollars. Arts (NEA) and National Humanities Foundation (NEH), each with a total budget of 167.5 million US dollars.

The CARES Act passed in March provides

Inject strength into the art world by directly providing assistance to government agencies responsible for distributing grants to various organizations: US$75 million to NEA and NEH respectively; US$50 million to the Museum and Library Services Institute (IMLS); and $25 million from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

This time, the legislation seems to be mainly aimed at performing arts, although it is not the only one. The Save Our Stage Act authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a grant program for "live performance venue operators" (such as theater producers or music venue owners).

As long as the museum has at least one auditorium, theater, performance hall or lecture hall with "fixed audience seats and regular program arrangements", the museum is also eligible for the award. All recipients must have less than 500 full-time employees, and they cannot be publicly traded companies, and apply for the first two weeks

Suffered a 90% loss.

American Museum League

The year-end agreement secured a "major victory" for the museum and expressed gratitude to Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Senate Minority Party, who ensured that the museum was included in the legislation on site.

The relief bill will also expand the PPP loan eligibility for non-profit organizations and news media, some of which

This year, because they are part of a large company. Language changes have also been made to ensure that churches and faith-based organizations are eligible for loans.

Earlier this year, museums, art galleries and other art institutions-including some of the wealthiest companies in the industry, such as David Zwirner Gallery, Gagosian Gallery, Hauser & Wirth, Artnet and Pace-

. But as a national independent venue association

, PPP loans are not enough to help organizations in financial distress (such as those that have been forced to close down).

The organization stated on its website: “We need help to pay the fixed expenses of paying rent, mortgages, utilities, taxes and insurance until all of us can safely and fully reopen.”

As art communities around the world experience challenges and changes, it is more important than ever to obtain, independently, and independently report on these developments. 

Please consider supporting our journalism and helping to make our independent reports freely available to everyone.

Valentina Di Liscia is a contributor to Hypersensitivity. She originally came from Argentina and studied at the University of Chicago. She is currently studying for a Master of Arts degree at Hunter College, where she obtained...

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Allergy is a forum for serious, fun, and radical artistic thinking in the world today. Hyperallergic was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Brooklyn, New York.