Posted March 30, 2020
Due to the unexpected circumstances of the global health crisis, the Hudson Valley Shakespeare has no choice but to cancel our 2020 season. As much as we wish it were otherwise, our first obligation is to the health and safety of our artists, our audiences, and our community.
What about my tickets?
Thank you so much for booking early for our 2020 Season. We are truly sorry that we cannot welcome you to the tent this summer. There are several options of how to move forward:
- If you’re able, we hope you will consider converting the cost of your tickets to a fully tax-deductible donation to HVSF. Each year we make half of our operating budget through ticket sales, which means this year, any and all donations are more important than ever to ensure that we come out of this crisis stronger and more vibrant than ever.
- If you’d rather, you can convert the value of your tickets to credit towards our 2021 Season, to be used on tickets, merch, or concessions. We appreciate this as it still provides us with cash flow in this challenging moment for all performing arts organizations.
- We also recognize that everyone is being hit by these unprecedented events, and if you would prefer a partial or full refund of your ticket value, we will be happy to process the request.
In the coming days, an email will be sent to all ticket holders with a link to choose among the above options. If your account does not have an email address associated with it, we will be calling you in May to see how you’d like to move forward. Any ticket holders who do not respond before May 31 will automatically have a credit placed on their account.
What about my Open Air Flexpass?
Firstly, THANK YOU for purchasing an Open Air Flexpass and supporting HVSF during this time of uncertainty! Open Air Flexpasses will be redeemable for performances in June of our 2021 Season. As a thank you for supporting us in this crazy time, Flexpass holders will receive priority booking ahead of the general public. You really came through for us in this moment, and, we look forward to welcoming you back with open arms when the world rights itself.
When will the 2021 Season be announced?
We hope to announce the Summer 2021 season in September but may need to adjust the timing as the situation with COVID-19 evolves.
What about my 2020 Membership?
Thank you so much for becoming part of our family this year. We usually make half of our operating budget in ticket sales, so this year, your tax-deductible support is more vital than ever to ensure that we have means to plan for the year ahead. Recognizing that many benefits of membership depend on a performance season, we’re cooking up some perks and special events to make membership in 2020 worth your while. Stay tuned!
Have you considered streaming performances?
We looked carefully at bringing theater to our audiences digitally, via livestream or hosted digital content. After considering various possibilities, we are not able to assemble actors to rehearse and capture a performance without putting them in a room together. Also, creating new theater performances to be livestreamed or shared virtually would require specific permissions from the unions whose partnership we value. We are thrilled that other theater companies have been approved to release previously-captured performances that will sate our theatrical appetites during this shutdown, but we are not in a position to join them at this time. We are, however, exploring the possibilities for shared experiences (one-off readings, free playwriting workshops, curated conversations with artists) over Zoom or other online platforms, and we will share more details about those plans in coming weeks.
Are the HVSF offices open?
For the health and safety of our staff, HVSF administrative staff will be working remotely until further notice. The best way to contact staff during this time is via email.
How can I help support HVSF during this difficult time?
Thank you for recognizing this need and offering your support. The commitment of our friends and audience means more to HVSF now than ever before. Please consider making a tax-deductible contribution to ensure our ability to move forward. You might want to learn more about our membership programs here–it’s a great way to be a part of our family and provide much-needed support at this time.
What if I still have questions — is there someone I can talk with?
Absolutely! You can reach out to Scotty Arnold, Manager of Sales and Membership, via email boxoffice@hvshakespeare.org.