News for the Upcoming Season – Updated August 21, 2020
During this time while our theatres remain closed, we are planning our way forward. We cannot imagine having no theatre until there is a vaccine, and we believe there is a way of coming back safely with our collective imagination engaged like never before. With this in mind, we are devising a new season filled with amazing events and productions, embracing a more distilled and direct approach to storytelling. A full update will be shared soon. Some previously announced titles will be postponed to a later season, but we’re excited about our positive path forwards producing Shakespeare and other great classical dramatists.
We’re optimistic about our future. However, we have to be safe and prudent about our limited resources. We have been forced to recognize that surviving this crisis means making painful but necessary changes.
Due to the uncertain nature of the pandemic, our reduced income, and ongoing fixed costs, we have had to cut our annual budget and reduce our full-time staff by a third. We are deeply saddened to lose such incredible expertise across so many areas. The quality of STC’s work on and off our stages is due to the individual and collective brilliance of our employees, and words cannot express our profound debt of gratitude.
We thank our subscribers, donors, and friends for helping us get through this time. The gifts made to the Phoenix Fund have been transformative. We are confident that the support we continue to receive through this fund, as well as through individual memberships, sponsorships, and donated tickets, will sustain us to our reopening. Every day we work towards that moment when we can welcome audiences back and the healing power of theatre can resume
We will continue to update this page.
We have added a FAQ section to this page to address common questions.
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[accordion-item title=”I have tickets to a canceled show, what are my options?”]
It is true, we have had to cancel the rest of the 2019/20 season. We are currently rearranging our 2020/21 season with these cancelations in mind and will announce our new season in September. We have contacted all ticket holders by email, and you should’ve heard from about your options. At this time, you do not need to contact the Box Office.
You have two options at this time:
- You can donate your tickets to STC as a tax-deductible charitable contribution. This helps STC in massive ways, and ensures our ability to produce future seasons.·
- Your tickets can be returned and the value becomes a credit to be used in the future towards a subscription or a future show. Funds on account can be used through July 31, 2021.
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[accordion-item title=”Can I renew my subscription?”]
Of course! We are happy to handle that for you. You may call the Box Office Monday–Thursday from noon–6 p.m. at 202.547.1122.
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[accordion-item title=”Will you be reopening? Will there be a season next year? What’s your plan for the future?”]
Shakespeare Theatre Company is developing a gradual reopening of administrative offices and workspaces based on ReOpen DC’s guidelines, and will continue to support staff members who work from home.
STC has suspended all public programming at this time. This includes moving many Development and Engagement and Education events online, postponing National Theatre Live screenings, and rescheduling rentals by outside organizations.
We continue to expand opportunities to engage with our audiences virtually.
Our plans for the future are bright and we are looking forward to welcoming audiences back very soon.
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[accordion-item title=”Have Membership events been affected?”]
All Membership events related to our 2019/20 season have been suspended. We are diligently working with our artistic team to create digital experiences to supplant these events while adhering to District and federal recommendations. Our Development team will reach out once new events have been scheduled and we look forward to seeing you there.
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[accordion-item title=”Will the tax-deductibility of my gift change?”]
STC is looking to replace or reschedule—rather than cancel—affected Membership events, which will leave the tax deductibility of your membership unchanged. If, however, you would prefer to forego these redesigned events in favor of an adjusted tax deductibility we are happy to make those adjustments. Please contact SupportSTC@ShakespeareTheatre.org and a member of our team will be happy to assist with generating a new acknowledgement.
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[accordion-item title=”I can’t make a donation. Is there another way I can help?”]
We are so moved by the support of our community during this whole endeavor. Your kind words are what keeps us going. If you are on social media, please consider sharing any content related to the Phoenix Fund and/or #ShakespeareChallenge so we can reach as many people as possible. Please also consider writing a note of encouragement to our team. Correspondence sent to SupportSTC@ShakespeareTheatre.org is shared with our leadership team and is appreciated at a time like this.
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[accordion-item title=”Are special events Will on the Hill and the Summer Mock Trial still happening? “]
Our teams are working in accordance with recommendations from District and federal government departments on creating summertime events that are enjoyable and safe for our audiences and participants, moving many of our events online. Please check this page for continued updates on how our summer programming has been affected by COVID-19. Will on the Hill will take place on Monday, September 14, and will be presented as an online event. Attendees may pay whatever they would like (minimum $5.00).
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[accordion-item title=”Are Camp Shakespeare and Classes still happening?”]
Our teams are working in accordance with recommendations from District and federal government departments on creating summertime events that are enjoyable and safe for our audiences and participants. Please check this page for continued updates on how our programming has been affected by COVID-19. Camp Shakespeare moved online to become Virtual Camp Shakespeare, and thanks to its popularity, we are inspired to add more youth classes in the fall. We hope you can join us! Online Classes for Adults begin September 21 and Classes for Youth and Teens begin September 8.
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[accordion-item title=”How can I reach someone about a gift to the theatre?”]
Thank you for thinking of us during this time. Though we are working off-site, our Development team is happy to answer questions by email (SupportSTC@ShakespeareTheatre.org) or phone (202.547.1122 Option 3). Please note that call wait times and email response times are expected to be longer than normal at this time. We will work as quickly as possible to answer your inquiries.
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[accordion-item title=”WHAT PROGRAMMING IS BEING OFFERED RIGHT NOW? HOW CAN I STAY INVOLVED WITH STC?”]
While the theatres remain closed, STC’s staff have been busy reimagining STC as a virtual theatre organization. STC has launched Shakespeare Everywhere, a new platform for engaging with audiences through digital offerings and innovative new content. Here you can enjoy all things Shakespeare and Shakespeare Theatre Company.
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