The show must go on — eventually.
But not today.
Bainbridge Performing Arts officials recently announced the nonprofit was closing “in response to growing concerns around the COVID-19 risks posed by public gatherings.”
All 12 BPA staff employees will primarily work off-site.
In a message sent via email, and also posted to the production company’s website on Friday, March 6, BPA executive director Dominique Cantwell said that performances at BPA, as well as classes, rehearsals, and meetings, have been postponed indefinitely due to the novel coronavirus outbreak.
“While we are disappointed to interrupt our regular schedule, we are entirely confident that this is the best way to help protect the most vulnerable among us and to ensure that access to our performances is available to everyone,” Cantwell wrote.
Performances and other operations at BPA “will be rescheduled when it is responsible to do so,” according to the announcement.
Postponements included the planned Friday, March 13 opening “Fun Home,” as well as the Saturday, March 7 EDGE Improv performance and current Theatre School classes.
So far, would-be students and audiences have been reportedly taking things in stride.
“Public response to BPA’s temporary closure has been overwhelmingly positive,” BPA spokeswoman Sally Jo Martine said Monday in an email to the Review.
“While reasonable disappointment has been expressed, we’ve received a wave of supportive acknowledgement for our measures to keep our community safe,” she said. “Additionally, many of our patrons have articulated relief that they did not need to make a personal decision as to the safety of attending a performance or class, as those decisions were effectively made for them.”
As for BPA’s dozen employees, Martine said they were continuing to work as paid staff members, “albeit remotely … or in arranged shifts on-site at BPA.”
“The staff is taking this opportunity to make minor repairs, clean out storage and work spaces, refine/document procedures, and do their utmost to maintain effective communications,” she said.
No estimate has been offered yet as to when classes and shows will resume.
“Our team will be working hard in the coming days to connect directly with students and ticket holders,” according to the original announcement. “Refunds and exchanges will be available unconditionally for events that are disrupted.”
Ticket returns for impacted performances will be handled exclusively by phone through the box office at 206-842-8569 or 206-842-4560, ext. 2, according to Martine, and will be attended to via remote staffing.
“Patrons may elect a full refund to their original method of payment,” she said. “They may exchange ‘Fun Home’ tickets to a future performance once rescheduled. Or they may elect to convert their original purchase as a tax-deductible donation to BPA.
Registration returns for impacted classes will also be handled exclusively by phone (same numbers or by director of education Pete Benson at 206-842-4560, ext. 3) and also via remote staffing.
“We understand there’s a risk of making the wrong call,” Cantwell said Monday.
“However, if the models provided by state and national authorities are correct, it’s worth it to us to assume that risk if it will save even one life in our community. The arts shine brightest when they lead the way for others, as we hope they will through this uncharted, uncertain time,” she said.
