Folks

 

Remember back in November, when our message was full of optimism and excitement about ramping-up for the new 2022 season? Plans to welcome everyone back to the theatre after two shuttered years for the February 23rd grand opening of “BURN.”

 

Well, as we have a habit of saying these days, “things change fast!” Let me take a moment here to bring you up to speed on the latest “pivot” (I’m really starting to dislike that word)!

 

But, first let’s review how we got to this point:

 

Late November 2021

 

  • based on the divinations of the Authorities for “full openings” in the new year, we very optimistically launched the new 2022 season

 

  • we sent out brochures, and renewal cards and information about the 9 great shows in the great 2022 season!

 

  • we set a deadline for subscription renewal – January 6, 2022 –  and happily spent most of December and into January processing your payments and activating your cards
    • by the way I have to thank all of you. About 60% of subscribers renewed, and many of you were so generous with your donations! We thank you again!

 

December 2021

 

  • advancing Omicron hit Ontario hard, and once again we locked down to “blunt the advance”

 

January 2022

 

  • there were a lot of unknowns about the virus and a lot of uncertainty, AND a lot of questions we couldn’t answer

 

  • then the Government and Health authorities announced theatres could re-open – but only to 50% capacity. Our Feb 23rd opening slammed shut…again.

 

February 2022

 

  • (sigh) we are still shuttered, but still remain ever-optimistic!

 

  • Now, moving forward:

 

  • on Monday night (Jan 31), the Board met for the monthly review of operations

 

  • but this meeting was a little different ­- disappointment and frustrations surfacing about restrictions and timelines

 

  • lots of passionate discussion and disagreement on how to move forward, and when, and in what form

 

  • but, the one thing we all agreed on: when we get the “green light” for full capacity, we have to be careful and cautious – “pivoting” again would be unbearable

 

  • we also agreed that we have 2 clear prime objectives:
    • that our membership feels very safe returning to their seats, especially with strangers (possibly) sharing their armrests again, and
    • that the experience of coming back to the theatre needs to be as wonderful and satisfying as we can make it. Two years without live theatre has been awful – coming back needs to be worth the wait!

 

So, being a “bottom-line” kind of guy, here is the plan going forward (right this particular moment):

  • we will delay opening the theatre and the 2022 season until the “wonderful month of May.” May 4th, 2022 to be more precise. Imagine no snow and ice to shovel or scrape, warm evenings, new beginnings, flowers blooming, love in the air…oh and did I mention new beginnings?
  • we will close the 2022 season on December 17th, 2022. There might be some snow, but love will definitely be in the air!
  • instead of 9 productions in the 2022 season, we will only do 7. That’s all we’ll have time to fit in an 8 month programme period, but they’ll all be great!
  • So, we’ll have an “asterisked” *2022 Season*; and in 2023 we will be solidly back to the “new normal” – (“for as long as the grass grows, and the wind blows, and god willing the creek don’t rise”)

Of course, we are going to have to communicate with you again very soon.  There will be modifications and adjustments on our road to opening on May 4th, 2022.  We know you have many questions, as do we.  We are working tirelessly to clarify the changes and respond to all your questions. You can expect to hear from us again in a couple of weeks!

Until then, though still shuttered, we are re-energized anew, again … and “hope springs eternal within the human chest!” (Casey At the Bat – never mind how that ended-up).

 

Warm regards,

Geoff

P.S. Please note the Ottawa Little Theatre will proceed with safety measures in place, following Public Health guidelines. This means that the Ottawa Little Theatre will restrict all visitors, patrons, volunteers (including on stage and backstage), and staff to those proven fully vaccinated.