Theatre Macon, Macon Little Theatre grapple with impact of coronavirus

This would have been about two shows opening this weekend, one at Macon Little Theatre and the other at Theatre Macon, if not for the coronavirus pandemic.

Though shows were ready, directors at both community theatres and their boards made the hard decision to cancel them – or better put, postpone them to a safer time - in light of official urgings toward serious social distancing.

Their decisions are not unlike hundreds of similar ones being made locally about theatre showings, dining and entertainment venues, galleries and even tours headed here.

“What we’ve done at Theatre Macon is postpone shows, auditions and activities like our tap class indefinitely,” said Richard Frazier, artistic director at the community theatre company. “Depending on how things go and how long social distancing is recommended, we’re going to be responsible community members, as disappointing as not performing is. We have a really, really good show but for the sake of our actors, technical people, patrons, stakeholders and the community as a whole we know it’s the right thing to do.”

Frazier said Theatre Macon’s board meet early to look at a range of contingencies but as things began to spiral it was clear what to do. He said in part they looked followed the lead of Macon-Bibb’s public schools.

In their decision was the obvious necessity of making refunds for pre-payments available by contacting the theatre at (478) 746-9485, info@theatremacon.com or through www.theatremacon.com.

Frazier said if anyone would rather leave payments as a donation, that would be welcomed.

Information about future decisions to re-open and reschedule – including about Theatre Macon’s annual gala just months away – will be made as soon as is wise, he said.

“Until we know more, that’s the way it is,” Frazier said. “We’re committed to being transparent and letting people know what’s going on. It’s scary, that’s for sure, but I feel we’re all in this together and we’ll see it through. Needless to say, we all need to care for and support one another and our local restaurants, clubs, venues, artists and small businesses. It affects us all.”

The hard question is, will Theatre Macon survive?

“Absolutely,” Frazier said without hesitation. “We’re in a great place right now, even if it’s a dangerous situation. That’s thanks to the commitment of our partners, sponsors, patrons, actors, artists, technicians and all involved. We’re waiting with bated breath to tell the stories we tell and I know our audiences are eager to come back for them in the months ahead. I look forward to business as usual and all of us probably sharing a greater appreciation for what we have together.”

JP Haynie, producing director at Macon Little Theatre, tells much the same story about postponements and said he, Frazier and other community groups consulted on decisions to shut down for the time being.

He was equally confident of a good outcome.

“It is tricky, though,” he said. “We’re not concerned about permanently closing our doors because of the commitment of our patrons, sponsors and audiences and the donations over the last year. Still, we’re not naïve about the dangers or about how hard this is hitting the live entertainment industry. In our public notices, we’re asking supporters who are comfortable with it and can to donate or leave pre-payments as donations. It would help see us through this window. I mean, we have $15,000 invested in this scheduling of “Cabaret” in royalties and other expenses we won’t recoup.”

For Macon Little Theatre’s information, Haynie said watch www.maconlittletheatre.org or call (478) 471-7529.

As for the toll of the pandemic on the wider entertainment community, Haynie has insight since he only recently returned to Macon, his hometown, after years as a working actor in New York.

“I have friends whose films, TV, theatre and other work has come to a standstill. They are in a really tough spot with bills due like everyone else,” he said.

He said his brother, Michael Haynie, is in a similar situation.

“He’s currently on the national tour of ‘Frozen’ and they’ve suspended their tour in Oregon,” he said. “They hope to restart in a couple of months in Salt Lake City but for now, he’s stranded in Portland. It’s a hard hit area. He could fly back home but then there’s the consideration of travel’s effect and someone going from a hard hit area to one that may not have felt the brunt. He’s decided to sit tight. Fortunately, the tour is going well and the company is still getting per diem for expenses. Not like a working salary, but better than nothing. This is happening to people all over to actors, musicians - everybody.”

Julie Wilkerson heads the Macon Arts Alliance, the umbrella arts organization in Macon-Bibb County. She’s keeping tabs on ramifications of the coronavirus’ impact and is set for future discussion including the need to stay creative and creative ways to do it mid-pandemic.

She said the Alliance itself has postponed events, including opening a new show at its 3rd Street gallery set next April 3 for First Friday, which is also curtailed.

The Alliance’s gallery remains open, she said, disinfected and with gloves and hand sanitizer available but with fewer coming in.

“It’s very easy to keep the 6 foot distance rule,” she said.

In lieu of recommending things to do this week, we join others encouraging staying put and social distancing for the good of all for the time being. To check what is and isn’t going on, www.macon365.com is available but contacting venues is advisable. Even the fastest calendar technology has yet to keep up with it all.

Contact writer Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.