Like most performing arts groups, a professional theatre company in Roanoke has shut down productions amid the pandemic, and is now just looking for ways to stay relevant while looking to next year.
Mill Mountain Theatre recently announced it was cancelling the rest of its 2020 season, abiding by health guidelines.
Producing Artistic Director Ginger Poole says the company is still getting by, as a number of season ticket holders turned those funds into a donation.
The company also got some Payroll Protection Plan funds, but she admits a number of employees on the production staff are on furlough with no shows to perform.
“The guessing game, is what I think, is killing any business now," said Poole. "It's the 'what if's.' When you see the 2021 season roll out, it's still going to be the Mill Mountain that people are expecting, but the calendar might be a little different."
Poole says when they do bring live shows back in 2021, the theatre, if need be, will reduce audiences to 75 or 50 percent capacity – and do productions with smaller casts.
For example, Dreamgirls was originally slated for late this fall, but won’t be performed in 2021.
“Every character has 6 or 7 different costume looks, multiple wig changes, it was absolutely huge," she said. "Looking at that, and being responsible, we won’t have shows of that size. Will we have shows that pack a punch? Absolutely.”
But the company is also finding ways to connect to fans, and raise some revenue, the next couple months. They include online classes in acting, dance, and playwriting.
“We saw people from multiple states, and we saw people from multiple countries participate,” Poole said. “Our reach is broader than we ever anticipated.”
She also says the ‘Meet Me at Mill Mountain’ podcast is now turning out weekly episodes.
“Sometimes, of course we might touch on what our industry is doing now during these times,” she said. “But we’re speaking to performers, directors, stage managers, people with Broadway credits, educators – it’s a very cool eclectic mix. You get to be a fly on the wall while I’m sitting and having a cup of coffee with an old friend, and they’ve been a blast.”
The theatre now plans to announce next year’s season December 5th, when it will offer a free virtual homecoming concert, welcoming back performers from over the years.
