Dylon Harrison
Managing Editor
We all know that businesses around the world are being hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The theater industry has not been immune to this.
Theaters all over the country were forced to shut down at the beginning of the pandemic, resulting in losses of income they rely on. Many of these theaters still haven’t been able to reopen.
Broadway, for example, has made the decision to not reopen until January 2021 at the earliest. This has resulted in large numbers of people being out of a job. The theater industry employs more people than expected.
It’s not just actors. Tech crew members, producers, directors and everyone in between are all experiencing unemployment due to the theater closure.
This problem, however, is not unique to just professional theaters. Local and educational theaters have also taken a hit. In some cases, the loss of income has put theaters in danger of permanently closing.
The Palace Theater, a local theater in Chubbuck, Idaho, is one of these theaters. They have recently reopened and produced two shows since the pandemic began. Their ticket sales have been decent, but they will need continued community support in order to avoid going under.
The Idaho State University Department of Theatre will also need as much support as possible to continue functioning at full capacity. Within the last year, dance has been cut as an offered major, and the theatre graduate program was cut.
The Department of Theatre relies heavily on the income received from patrons of their shows in order to continue operating. Audience fees pay for sets, costumes and advertising. Without these elements, the theatre department would not be able to produce shows necessary for its students’ degrees.
Granted, seating in the theaters that are open will have to be limited in order to meet social distancing guidelines, but it is more important than ever for these theaters to fill the seats that are still available.
The Department of Theatre will be producing two separate theatrical productions during the fall semester, assuming the university isn’t forced to shut down again. These productions will be Sarah DeLappe’s “The Wolves”, and William Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.
After being forced to cancel “The Wolves” entirely last semester, as well as the final performances of the musical “Bright Star”, the theatre department is looking to make up as much of the lost income as possible.
ISU students receive a discount on production tickets, so there is no reason to not attend the show if you are available.
It’s a great way to support your fellow Bengals, keep an entire department funded and bring some fine art into your life in the midst of this pandemic.
Besides, with movie theaters closed, sporting events not allowing live audiences and every other type of live entertainment shut down for the foreseeable future, you won’t find a better and more affordable form of entertainment in our area.
So go out, enjoy a show and ensure that our local theaters can keep operating and providing enjoyment for many years to come.
