Addressing Coronavirus Spread:
Updates from our Board

Updated: Aug. 15, 2020

To the Families and Community of Spotlight Youth Theatre:

While the spread of coronavirus is on everyone’s minds, we at Spotlight continue our mission: “to provide youth and their families a SAFE, welcoming environment where the individual is supported, teamwork is embraced, and creativity is encouraged through high quality performing arts and educational programs that enrich and strengthen our community.”

Like it says in our mission, the safety and health of our kids has always, and will always, come first. We must adjust our schedule accordingly as current events evolve. 

As Artistic Director Kenny Grossman says: “It’s not curtain call. It’s just an intermission!”

Spotlight’s programming includes the following adjustments:

• The 2020-2021 season of shows is currently under development. Unlike most seasons, this could not be a typical season of licensed shows contracted ahead of time. The success of the online and “drive-in” presentations of The Wolves  this summer — even though it was a learning experience for us — convince us that theatre is “doable” even with pandemic precautions. There will be a stronger emphasis on devised and original theatre opportunities this year in order to make this work with the flexibility required.
• Performance troupes: Sparkles, Confetti, Celebration have returned (after accepting video auditions through Aug. 1) for the Fall 2020 season. There will be a focus on video performances this fall, including a YouTube channel, in order to limit audience gatherings.
• The summer theatre camp program was condensed to two camps with reduced capacity in order to creatively offer a safe experience. To better maintain safety and physical distancing, the minimum age was raised to 8. As this revised program was successful, similar opportunities will be arranged for fall. 

We will monitor the evolving recommendations for community health. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides small event planners guidelines, which we will follow and share with all participants. Mostly, these are precautions that will help curb sicknesses year round. 

The theatre has undergone extensive cleaning for sanitation, and continues sanitation practices for new activities: wiping down surfaces, taking breaks to wash hands, keeping hand sanitizer out, and sanitizing the theatre nightly after rehearsals and camps.

The largest programs and events at Spotlight consist of gatherings that are smaller than most schools and churches. Even so, we take public health concerns very seriously, and will continue to monitor and follow recommendations by local authorities as they arise. Any activity this year is presumed to require restrictions and precautionary measures as in other public places.

We ask our patrons for your help to create a healthy environment for everyone, and to follow the CDC’s Steps to Prevent Illness.

It’s never more important than during times of disruption, to find ways to encourage and strengthen the bonds of children, families, and small communities. Please remember this is a time to reach out and help one another any way we can.  Thank you for continuing to support the arts, especially youth theatre!

Spotlight Youth Theatre Board of Directors