Smaller scale, virtual events will continue for fans of Broadway
Due to the continued concerns for public health and the safety of their performers and audiences, Actors Theatre of Indiana has decided to postpone its original lineup of Always…Patsy Cline, Lombardi, The Big Bang and Damn Yankees to the 2021-22 season.
“We are very disappointed to have to make this decision, but we feel it is the right thing to do as our country continues to try and defeat this potentially deadly virus, COVID-19,” said Jim Reilly, Executive Director of Actors Theatre of Indiana. “This was not a decision that was made lightly. For the past four months the artistic team have worked to find a path that would allow us to produce a more typical ATI season.”
Don Farrell, artistic director and one of the three founders of ATI, weighed many options and concerns along with his fellow ATI co-founders Judy Fitzgerald and Cynthia Collins, before they make the tough decision to postpone the original line-up:
“In the end, we determined the many scenarios of our season were not feasible at this time and we would be putting the organization at financial risk should we attempt to move forward only to have to postpone or cancel productions. If circumstances allow us to add programming back into the schedule, and we can assure the health and safety of our staff, artists and patrons, we will make every effort to do so.”
Carmel Mayor Jim Brainard agrees that public safety is the top priority for the City and any event that is held here.
“We want to stay safe so that we can all gather together in celebration of Actors Theatre of Indiana next year,” Brainard said. “While it is very unfortunate that one of the community’s favorite performing groups has to cancel their live, in person shows due to safety concerns related to the pandemic, we must do what is in the long-term best interest of the community and the performers.”
Despite the postponement, ATI is now focused on a variety of other opportunities to keep the spirit of “Broadway in Your Backyard” alive in Carmel with reimagined offerings of outdoor events, fund-raisers and virtual productions including ATI’s “From Our Homes to Yours,” which have become very popular for Friday night Facebook viewers.
“The good news is this, while we are taking a pause from presenting full-scale productions, we are all thinking ‘outside the box’ to stay relevant and publicly connected during these difficult times for all arts organizations,” Farrell said. “We have some very exciting offerings for the Fall which we will announce in the near future.”
“ATI wishes to thank everyone for their continued support of its mission,” Reilly said. “It goes without saying that this is a very difficult time for us, as well as the entire entertainment industry. We excitedly look forward to when we can all safely reunite to enjoy live professional theatre.”
About Actors Theatre of Indiana
Actors Theatre of Indiana was co-founded in 2005 by Cynthia Collins, Don Farrell and Judy Fitzgerald with a mission to celebrate the power of theater and contribute to the quality of life in Central Indiana by offering high quality professional theater performances and programs that engage, inspire, educate and entertain. One of only four Equity Theater companies in central Indiana, Actors Theatre of Indiana is the resident professional theater company of The Studio Theater at The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel and has provided 14 seasons of high-powered musical theater productions, world premieres and innovative community works.
Visit ATI on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. For more information on schedules, educational initiatives and ways you can order tickets, visit atistage.org.