American Shakespeare Center joins only a few companies in the country to have obtained permission from authorities for live performances this summer. ASC will perform Othello and Twelfth Night in rep, starting July 25. Calling it their “SafeStart” season, the company developed protocols in strict accordance with VA Commonwealth, VDH and CDC guidelines to protect actors, staff and audiences. Permissions were granted because of the success of area residents in keeping the incidence of Covid-19 low.
Dan Hasse directs Twelfth Night; Zoe Speas and Mia Wurgaft play as Viola/Sebastian (determined by nightly coin-toss). Ethan McSweeny directs Othello; Jessika D. Williams plays Othello.
Both shows will appear on the stage at the Blackfriars – the world’s only recreation of Shakespeare’s indoor theatre, and under the stars on the grounds of the nearby Blackburn Inn. Performances are slated to begin at the Blackburn Inn on July 25 and at the Blackfriars Playhouse on July 31. Indoor seating at the Blackfriars can accommodate 120, as opposed to the customary 300, guests. For the outdoor performances, grass seating, socially distanced, is available with maximum seating for 200 guests. Calendar and ticketing details are available on the company’s website.
As part of the ASC SafeStart guide, all staff, backstage personnel and audiences will be masked. Actors, most of whom have been sequestered in safe housing provided by ASC since the start of the pandemic, will perform without masks. Ticketing will be paperless. Guests will receive a link to each show’s digital playbill.
Nearby restaurants are open for socially distanced outdoor seating and hotels are booking reservations.
Both shows will be digitally recorded later in the summer and made available on BlkFrs TV along with other virtual events.
“We know that individual audience members will have different thresholds for returning to live theatre,” says Artistic Director Ethan McSweeny, “For some that will be outside while others will be ready to sit socially distanced in the Blackfriars, and some, whether because of personal concerns or travel restrictions, will be most comfortable being with us online. That’s why we are determined to find every way possible to continue to bring the Playhouse to your house.”
Tickets are now on sale for the Summer 2020 repertory. Visit www.americanshakespearecenter.com for complete ticketing information and SafeStart details.
How did they do it? ASC shares how they prepared and rehearsed the 2020 summer rep.
