UPDATE DECEMBER 1, 2020

UPDATE APRIL 10, 2020

Dear Friends,
 
First, we want to say THANK YOU for your support and patience with us through the challenges of the past few weeks. We are living through an unprecedented time as a small arts organization, and knowing that we have you by our side makes that much easier to handle. 
 
Second, we’d like to update you on our emerging plans amidst the current coronavirus crisis. As we continue internal conversations with our Board of Directors, our colleagues in the arts and culture sector, and our partners, we are able to share the following updates: 

As you know, we had to postpone our production of The Merchant of Venice after only 2 previews. We can promise you, IT WILL BE BACK! While we continue to work out the details, we know that we are indeed bringing the show back to life, and will include it in our ‘20-’21 season. Regretfully, we have decided to cancel our spring production of Henry V, which was scheduled to run from April 30 – May 24, 2020. If circumstances allow, we plan to bring you a special production in the summer of 2020! Stay tuned for more details. 

Through all this, it is not just our productions that have been forced to adjust course; our education work is impacted as well. With Governor Baker’s announcement this week that all schools are closed through May 4th, our spring residencies and in-school workshops have been canceled. Our out-of-school youth production of Henry IV Part 1 has been re-imagined, with the group meeting once a week virtually to discuss the play and Shakespeare’s work as a whole. Our Spring Breakspeare Camp, which was set to run Tuesday, April 21-Friday, April 24 during April vacation will be offered in an alternative virtual format, and we look forward to sharing what we learn by connecting with students while at home.  At this time, our Summer Youth Intensive production of The Merry Wives of Windsor will run as scheduled. 

Along with the rest of our industry, Actors’ Shakespeare Project is experiencing rough waters due to the sudden onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting cancellation of programming. As we continue to navigate the present and discuss the future, we thank you for your continued patience. We have had to temporarily reduce the size of our staff, as well as the hours of those that do continue to work, and therefore response times have been greatly affected. We hope that you, as a patron of ASP, will support us in any way that you are able, whether that be through a donation to the company or your advocacy to our legislators that the arts be included in Economic Relief Packages.
 
Thank you again for being our community, whether for one year or the last sixteen. We are incredibly grateful for you!

If you purchased a ticket for The Merchant of Venice:

• Move your ticket(s) to any date during our fall production, at no cost to you: Dates Forthcoming
• Receive a credit for the cost of your ticket, valid towards the cost of a ticket, or a subscription for our 2020-2021 Season
• Donate the cost of your ticket(s) to Actors’ Shakespeare Project
• If no other option is plausible for you, receive a refund for the cost of your ticket by using the form here*

*Due to the reduction in staff, and increased demand on our systems, refunds will take 12-20 weeks. We thank you for your patience.

If you hold a subscription for our 2019-2020 Season:

• We are happy to extend the use of your remaining tickets through December 31, 2020! This would allow you to use them at the beginning of our 2020-2021 Season, for our special summer professional production (announcement forthcoming), or for our youth performance of The Merry Wives of Windsor in July.

If you are interested in our 2020 Summer Youth Intensive:

• Sign Up Today!
• We are still accepting registrations, but will not be collecting any further payments until June 1, 2020, when we expect further clarity on holding summer programs
• Scholarships are still available, so do not hesitate to reach out to us!

UPDATE MARCH 13, 2020

As you may have heard, in response to growing coronavirus concerns, the Boston Center for the Arts has decided to close to the public as of today, Friday, March 13. This includes all access to the Plaza Theater, our venue for The Merchant of Venice.

As such, with the safety of our patrons, actors, and staff in mind, ASP will be suspending our production until further notice. We are currently in conversation around postponing performances to dates later in the spring.

All ticket holders will be contacted by our Box Office to discuss further options.

We will certainly reach out as soon as we have more information regarding the possible rescheduling of The Merchant of Venice. Thank you for your support of Actors’ Shakespeare Project, and we hope to see you at the theatre in the future!

UPDATE MARCH 9, 2020

All of us at Actors’ Shakespeare Project care deeply about the health and safety of our community. We are reaching out with important information regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus) and the steps we are taking to ensure your well-being.

What we are doing:

• We are actively monitoring the situation and will continue to adhere to guidance from local government and health authorities and the CDC. 
• We strongly encourage patrons exhibiting cold/flu symptoms to remain at home, recover, and attend their scheduled performance on another date. If you are feeling ill, we are happy to exchange your tickets for an alternative date with 12 hours’ notice, at no additional fee.
• Hand sanitizer and disinfectant wipes will be available onsite at all shows and events.
• We have instructed our House Managers and ushers in best practices to prevent transmission, and will have additional signage in the space to encourage proper hand-washing, etc.

While Massachusetts is currently a state-of-emergency; all performances, programs, and activities have not been affected and will continue as scheduled. Should this change, we will of course reach out to you as soon as possible.

Please read and continue to adhere to the CDC’s guidelines, take care of yourselves, and stay home if you experience symptoms. We encourage you to take the standard precautions, including frequent and thorough hand-washing to prevent the spread of any flu-like illness, and ask anyone not feeling well to stay home.

Do not hesitate to contact us at 617-241-2200 if you have any questions or wish to discuss the issue further.

We will see you at the theater!