How New Haven Arts Groups Are Coping With Pandemic
By FRANK RIZZO
At 3:32 p.m. on March 8, the curtain came down on a touring production of “Cats” at New Haven’s Shubert Theatre.
The curtain has yet to rise again there — or any other major performing arts venue in the city. The 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 after 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 … . There’s not much to do and there’s no income other than what development can raise.”
Financial impact: Theater 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: The 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: After 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 …