: Press Releases

New Repertory Theatre is Closing its Doors

[WATERTOWN, MA] – October 18, 2023 - After 40 seasons, over 300 productions, and a smash 2023 season, New Repertory Theatre’s Board of Directors has determined that it is not possible to sustain the organization going forward. Audiences and critics have responded enthusiastically to New Rep’s relaunch, but fundraising with major donors has fallen short of the theater’s goals for a sustainable path.

The Board has therefore initiated the process of formally dissolving the organization. It expects to have no assets at the conclusion of this process.

New Rep takes great satisfaction in its history and in particular the 2023 season, however it is subject to the same converging realities that have impacted so many theater companies throughout the country: post- pandemic economics, changes in the philanthropic landscape, challenges with the business model of regional theaters, and other factors beyond its control, along with the ending of emergency Federal support for the performing arts.

“We are so proud of the artistic excellence of our 2023 productions, the casts, design teams and staff, the rave reviews and strong ticket sales, and the fact that the theater is going out on the highest possible note,” said Board Chair Chris Jones. “Our artistic team has embodied the essence of New Rep’s Renewal Vision with excellence, professionalism, quality and spirit.”

Board Vice Chair Danielle Galligan expressed gratitude to the Greater Boston community that embraced New Rep’s vision and supported New Rep in attendance and financially over the years. “We are saddened by this outcome, yet grateful for the long run of this wonderful theater.”

As one of the Greater Boston area’s premiere mid-sized regional theater companies, New Rep has been an artistic haven for writers, performers, and audiences. For 40 years it has entertained theatergoers, premiered new work as well as classics, and provided educational access for children to the experience of live theater.

Said Resident Artists Lois Roach, Maria Hendricks and Michael Hisamoto “It is that fitting we close New Rep’s long and storied history with plays that encompass the battles we have fought throughout history and the hopes we have for a more beautiful future. And we reflect with pride on all the community work & cultural expansion we have impacted in Watertown and beyond that will resound in years to come. We celebrate all the artists involved in the history of New Rep and know that New Rep lives on through the people that have made the company what it is and was.”

After a nine-month suspension of productions during the pandemic, New Rep recommitted itself to a Renewal Vision of inclusion and diversity and a collaborative process centered on new work, new voices, and creative programming. Since re-opening, productions have included new works in the Pipeline Project, musical events, and collaborative community performances and events with local organizations including the Watertown library and public schools, as well as a world premiere and sold-out Tony award-winning shows.

“On behalf of the entire Board and organization, I express our deepest gratitude to our patrons and donors, to the artists whose work we have been privileged to share with this community, and to an amazing staff that consistently made it all happen,” Jones added.

: Press Releases

TheatreSquared in Arkansas returns to in-person 2021 performances this April.

PRESS RELEASE

ONE YEAR AGO, WE CELEBRATED THE UNVEILING OF THEATRESQUARED’S FIFTEENTH ANNIVERSARY SEASON.

It didn’t go entirely as planned. But in the year that’s passed, we’ve marked unexpected, welcome successes, with the advent of our acclaimed streaming programs (called the year’s best by The New York Times), the 2020 American Architecture Award, and superlative national reviews (“Outstanding drama company” – The Wall Street Journal).

None of this would have been possible without your patience, generosity, and flexibility throughout this crisis. With your steadfast support, TheatreSquared has been able to innovate and continue creating world-class theatre right here in Northwest Arkansas.

Today, we announce our updated, final 2021 calendar with a return to in-person performances this April.

First, in March, we’re thrilled to host the return of the multitalented duo James Taylor Odom (Scrooge in our hit 2019 A Christmas Carol) and Brian Walters for a special encore streaming production of Murder for Two, taking the place of Twelfth Night. This hilarious and virtuosic musical quickly sold out its initial run in 2016. The cast and creative team are at the theatre even now in final rehearsals, and streaming begins March 17. We’ll welcome audiences back to the theatre on April 28 for the darkly hilarious At the Wedding — and the lineup of remarkable, live theatre continues at full speed after that. From My Father’s War, to Matilda the Musical, to the music-filled American Mariachi, to the world premiere of Designing Women and the five-time Tony-nominated musical Violet, the remainder of your 2021 is jam-packed with amazing live theatre.

We’ve taken aggressive steps to maximize safety at our state-of-the-art theatre, with fresh air resupplied at an air change rate exceeding six times per hour, MERV-13 filtration, safely distanced seating maps, universal PPE requirements, and frequent testing of all artists and crew by our on-staff, advanced practitioner nurse, all reviewed by an infectious disease specialist. Prefer to stay home for now? Not to worry—with the exception of Matilda, we’ve also secured permissions to simultaneously live stream every show.

You’ve already got your tickets. All we need to hear from you is your viewing preference. Please reach out as soon as possible — in-person seating remains extremely limited until community case numbers and public health guidance allow for an easing of restrictions.

On May 19, we’ll also be announcing our Season 16 lineup of six exciting new productions continuing through June of 2022. We’ll reach out to you first regarding your auto-renewal preferences in advance of that date so that we can keep your seats held.

Thank you for the tremendous commitment you’ve shown our region’s theatre over the past 12 months. Together, we’ve adapted to these unbelievably strange circumstances, and this grand re-opening is made possible by your unflagging loyalty and support.

: Press Releases

How To Get COVID Financial Assistance for Shuttered Venue Operators from The SBA

Shuttered Venue Operators Grant

Emergency assistance for eligible venues affected by the COVID pandemic

Program details

The Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) Grant program was established by the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act, signed into law on December 27, 2020. The program includes $15 billion in grants to shuttered venues, to be administered by the SBA’s Office of Disaster Assistance.

Eligible applicants may qualify for SVO Grants equal to 45% of their gross earned revenue, with the maximum amount available for a single grant award of $10 million. $2 billion is reserved for eligible applications with up to 50 full-time employees.

Supplemental documents

Shuttered Venue Operators Grants Frequently Asked Questions (revised 03-12-21)
Eligibility requirements (published 03-05-21)
Preliminary application checklist (revised 03-11-21)
Cross program eligibility on SBA coronavirus relief options

Who can apply

Eligible entities include:

Live venue operators or promoters
Theatrical producers
Live performing arts organization operators
Relevant museum operators, zoos and aquariums who meet specific criteria
Motion picture theater operators
Talent representatives, and
Each business entity owned by an eligible entity that also meets the eligibility requirements

Other requirements of note:

Must have been in operation as of February 29, 2020
Venue or promoter must not have applied for or received a PPP loan on or after December 27, 2020

Amount of SVO grant

Grant amount will be either:

For an eligible entity in operation on January 1, 2019, grants will be for an amount equal to 45% of their 2019 gross earned revenue OR $10 million, whichever is less.
For an eligible entity that began operation after January 1, 2019, grants will be for the average monthly gross earned revenue for each full month you were in operation during 2019 multiplied by six (6) OR $10 million, whichever is less.

How to apply

SBA is in the process of setting up the grant program and is not yet accepting applications. Those who have suffered the greatest economic loss will be the first applications processed under the following schedule:

Note: On January 20, 2021, SBA updated the proposed plan for issuing Shuttered Venue Operators Grants during the first and second priority periods. To clarify, priority awardees will not need to satisfy the small employer set-aside. During the first 59 days of opening the SVO Grants, SBA will reserve no less than $2 billion of program funding for grants to entities that have no more than 50 employees.

First Priority 1st 14 days of grant awards	Entities that suffered a 90% or greater revenue loss between April 2020 through December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Second Priority Next 14 days of grant awards	Entities that suffered a 70% or greater revenue loss between April 2020 through December 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Third Priority Beginning 28 days after First & Second Priority Awards are made	Entities that suffered a 25% or greater earned revenue loss between one quarter of 2019 and the corresponding quarter of 2020.
Supplemental Funding Available after all Priority Periods have passed	Recipients of First, Second, and Third Priority round awards who suffered a 70% or greater revenue loss for the most recent calendar quarter (as of 04-01-21 or later)

Allowable use of funds

Funds may be used for specific expenses, which include:

Payroll costs
Rent payments
Utility payments
Scheduled mortgage payments (not including prepayment of principal)
Scheduled debt payments (not including prepayment of principal) on any indebtedness incurred in the ordinary course of business prior to 02-15-20)
Worker protection expenditures
Payments to independent contractors (not to exceed $100K in annual compensation per contractor)
Other ordinary and necessary business expenses, including maintenance costs
Administrative costs (incl. fees and licensing)
State and local taxes and fees
Operating leases in effect as of 02-15-20
Insurance payments
Advertising, production transportation, and capital expenditures related to producing a theatrical or live performing arts production. (May not be primary use of funds.)

Grantees may not use award funds to:

Buy real estate
Make payments on loans originated after 02-15-20
Make investments or loans
Make contributions or other payments to, or on behalf of, political parties, political committees, or candidates for election
Any other use prohibited by the Administrator

Grantee Recordkeeping

Grantees will be required to maintain documentation demonstrating their compliance with the eligibility and other requirements of the SVO Grant program. They must retain employment records for four years following their receipt of a grant and retain all other records for three years.

Application and additional guidelines will be posted when available.

Video tutorials

For more information

For additional information, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. All emails regarding SVO Grants will be sent using an official government email address ending in @sba.gov.

: Press Releases

Governor Abbott Lifts Mask Mandate, Opens Texas 100 Percent

March 2, 2021 | Austin, Texas | Press Release

Governor Greg Abbott today issued an Executive Order (GA-34) lifting the mask mandate in Texas and increasing capacity of all businesses and facilities in the state to 100 percent. The Governor made the announcement at Montelongo's Mexican Restaurant in Lubbock in an address to the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce.

"With the medical advancements of vaccines and antibody therapeutic drugs, Texas now has the tools to protect Texans from the virus,” said Governor Abbott. "We must now do more to restore livelihoods and normalcy for Texans by opening Texas 100 percent. Make no mistake, COVID-19 has not disappeared, but it is clear from the recoveries, vaccinations, reduced hospitalizations, and safe practices that Texans are using that state mandates are no longer needed. Today's announcement does not abandon safe practices that Texans have mastered over the past year. Instead, it is a reminder that each person has a role to play in their own personal safety and the safety of others. With this executive order, we are ensuring that all businesses and families in Texas have the freedom to determine their own destiny."

During his remarks, the Governor discussed the incredible advancements that Texas has made that allow the state to open fully and lift the mask mandate—noting the rapid increase of vaccines. Nearly 5.7 million vaccine shots have been administered to Texans, and the state is now administering almost one million shots each week. By next Wednesday, about 7 million shots will have been administered in Texas and over half of seniors in Texas will have received a vaccine shot. By the end of March, every senior who wants a vaccine should be able to get one. The vaccine supply continues to increase so rapidly that more and more Texans will soon be eligible to receive a vaccine.

The Governor noted that Texas has a surplus of personal protective equipment and can perform over 100,000 COVID-19 tests a day. The state has invested in a variety of anti-body therapeutic drugs that have kept thousands of Texans out of hospitals. Texans have also adopted daily habits that reduce the risk of COVID-19 exposure and infection. More than 2.5 million Texans who were lab confirmed for COVID-19 have recovered since the beginning of the pandemic, and experts note the total number of Texans who have recovered from COVID-19 is likely 4-5 times that amount. The number of active COVID-19 cases is the lowest since November—meaning more Texans are recovering from COVID-19 than contracting it.

This executive order rescinds most of the Governor's earlier executive orders related to COVID-19. Effective next Wednesday, all businesses of any type may open to 100% capacity. Additionally, this order ends the statewide mask mandate in Texas. Businesses may still limit capacity or implement additional safety protocols at their own discretion.

If COVID-19 hospitalizations in any of the 22 hospital regions in Texas get above 15% of the hospital bed capacity in that region for seven straight days, a County Judge in that region may use COVID-19 mitigation strategies. However, County Judges may not impose jail time for not following COVID-19 orders nor may any penalties be imposed for failing to wear a face mask. If restrictions are imposed at a County level, those restrictions may not include reducing capacity to less than 50% for any type of entity.

: Press Releases

ACTORS’ EQUITY ASSOCIATION CELEBRATES THE PASSAGE OF MEANINGFUL PANDEMIC RELIEF

New York -- Actors’ Equity Association, the national labor union representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in live theatre, has issued a statement in response to both the House and the Senate voting to pass the American Rescue Plan Act.

“This pandemic has been especially brutal on arts workers; most of us have been unemployed for a year now, and are desperate to get back to work the moment it’s safe. In the meantime, the need for relief is real and urgent,” said Kate Shindle, president of Actors’ Equity Association. “This passage shows us that it's possible to provide meaningful assistance to American workers during a crisis, and that we have to continue raising our voices. We are so grateful to the members of Congress who saw this through - including Speaker Pelosi and Leader Schumer - and of course to President Biden, who has championed this crucial legislation.”

This aid package includes:

Increased tax credits under the Affordable Care Act that will reduce health care costs for low and middle income families.

COBRA subsidies through September 30, 2021 that will cover 100% of premiums.
Additional health care subsidies for those who are ineligible for COBRA.
$135 million each for the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities for supplemental COVID relief grants.
Extended temporary federal unemployment benefits through August 29, 2021, with a supplemental $400 per week.
Additional relief checks for all Americans earning under $75,000.

Many of these provisions have been at the top of Equity’s policy agenda for months, including a COBRA subsidy at a time members are losing union health insurance and increased arts funding to help the theatre industry survive.

ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION, founded in 1913, is the U.S. labor union that represents more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers. Equity endeavors to advance the careers of its members by negotiating wages, improving working conditions and providing a wide range of benefits (health and pension included). Member: AFL-CIO, FIA. www.actorsequity.org #EquityWorks