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28 n e w h a v e n B I Z | S e p t e m b e r / O c t o b e r 2 0 2 0 | n e w h a v e n b i z . c o m A R T S & B U S I N E S S By Frank Rizzo New Haven arts groups in waiting game as pandemic takes toll A t 3:32 p.m. on March 8, the curtain came down on a touring production of "Cats" at New Haven's Shubert eatre. e curtain has yet to rise again there — or any other major performing arts venue in the city. e idea of live shows in a confined indoor space with hundreds, if not thousands, of people is now just a memory as arts groups pivot to the changing dynamics associated with COVID-19 restrictions. Six months — and counting — into the pandemic, we touch base with some local arts groups to find out what the closings have meant to their organizations and what their future plans are. SHUBERT THEATRE Of note: In late February, Executive Director John Fisher announced he was retiring at the end of 2020 aer 23 years with the Connecticut Association for the Performing Arts, which formerly managed and, since 2013, now owns the theater — and is also affiliated with the Columbus (Ohio) Association for the Performing Arts. Closings began: March 8, with the rest of its touring schedule canceled, show by show, throughout the spring. Change in organization: Approximately 150 to 180 ushers, bartenders, ticket-takers, union stagehands and other seasonal and event employees were cut from payroll. Most of the 14 full- time staff were retained through government subsidy, but now the administrative staff is down to six. In the meantime: Summer theater camp for New Haven, Westport and other areas went online. "We're looking at some virtual stuff," says Fisher, "but you can't make much money on it … . ere's not much to do and there's no income other than what development can raise." Financial impact: eater was anticipating a $200,000 deficit prior to the pandemic. Now it looks like that has increased an additional $250,000. Plans for fall and 2021: e tour of "Fiddler on the Roof " is penciled in for Feb. 26, but "we just don't know what will happen," says Fisher. "We were the first to close and we'll be the last to re-open." YALE REPERTORY THEATRE Of note: In April, Florie Seery became the new managing director of the theater (and associate dean of the Yale School of Drama). Since 2002, James Bundy has been the artistic director of the Rep (and dean of its affiliate, the Yale School of Drama). Closings began: Aer considering reducing the number of patrons on March 9, it cancelled its current production March 12, followed soon by the cancellation of the remainder of the spring season. Change in organization: Because there were no productions, seasonal and casual employees were not retained. Most employees at Rep also work for the Yale School of Drama and the full-time and benefitted staff were retained. Salary freeze across the university. In the meantime?: Creation of newsletter "that represents our desire to stay in communication with audiences, but at the same time, we don't want to do stuff just for the sake of doing stuff," says Bundy. "We'd rather spend our time and energy re-envisioning how we do things when we do get back. One of the things that there's real consensus about is that we can't just go back to business as usual even if all things are equal." Financial impact: e loss from both school and Rep was $375,000 but there were off-sets because it costs more to produce than what is taken in at the box office. Plans for fall and 2021: is summer Rep announced the cancellation of its 2020-21 season, with the hope of re-opening fall of 2021. Lessons learned/changes ahead: "On a very practical level we now have the capacity to stream work so there's a keen interest in that when we are back and are in the theater," Bundy said. "is is a huge breakthrough." LONG WHARF THEATRE Of note: Last year Jacon G. Padron became the new artistic director of Long Wharf eatre. Last fall, Kit Ingui became the new managing director. Closings began: On March 13, they cancelled a production that was about to open. On March 21, they cancelled the remainder of the season. Change in organization: Reduction of staff from 65 to 22 full-time and three part-time people. Financial impact: Approximately $750,000 of income lost. In the meantime: Podcasts, newsletters, new play readings online. Plans for fall and 2021: e 2020-21 season has been bumped to begin in the fall of 2021. Community programs are planned The last live performance at New Haven's Shubert Theatre was March 8 — a production of "Cats."

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