ISSAQUAH, Wash. — The COVID-19 closures hit Village Theatre with especially bad timing. The theater was running “She Loves Me” on stage in Everett and had just opened “Hansel and Gretl, Heidi and Gunter” in Issaquah.
They were preparing their final show of the season, “The Wedding Singer”. The closure cost the theater more than $2 million, and 170 jobs.
Robb Hunt helped start the theater 40 years ago. He says they’ve had snow and power outages cancel shows, but nothing like this.
“It wasn’t even in our world of thought, actually, it wasn’t something we imagined or planned for,” said Robb Hunt, executive producer. “For regular theater people, going to the theater, sitting next to other people and all of that, it’s a challenge obviously right now. We’re trying to work our way through it.”
They are doing contingency planning, trying to figure out the various ways they could re-open.
The theater has found a way to continue classes from Children. Kidstage is now offering classes online. Each year 55-hundred5,500 children participate in classes through the theater.
Megan Adams is one of the instructors. She’s also Village Theatre’s individual and corporate giving manager.
There are so many kids who rely on their connection not only to peers, but an ability to be expressive in the performing arts. These are skilled teens as well as little teeny 4-year-olds," said Adams. And while there is a focus on singing, dancing and acting, Adams says it’s bigger than that.
“We’re also looking at ways to get them to practice their skills in collaboration and leadership and creativity and perseverance. Each of our classes focus on those skills for theater, skills for life.”
She says they are starting their spring classes as planned on May 4. This summer they will find a way to teach classes as well.
The theater is hoping the community can help by subscribing to their next season. They’re also doing a fundraising campaign that includes a donor match, dollar for dollar up to $100,000. www.VillageTheatre.org
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