Flashback Friday
Since our stage is dark right now, we’d like to reminisce with you about some great moments on the Arts Center stage.
This week’s Flashback Friday is a snippet of Erin Kukla (Diana) singing “Nothing” from A Chorus Line. Directed to perfection by Casey Colgan, this show was on our stage this exact time last year, playing to nightly sold-out houses.
Virtual Play Club
Last week, we announced that our latest Virtual Play Club will read, via Zoom, the award-winning comedy You Can’t Take it With You. We had a huge response, and because of your enthusiasm, are planning to continue this theatre-at-home opportunity as an ongoing offering.
Because we received so many submissions, we are at-capacity for “casting” this play. Until the next selection is announced, feel free to email Resident Assisant Director Whitaker Gannon at wgannon@artshhi.com with title suggestions of your favorites.
Cyber School of Art
Play at Home
The Arts Center is proud to have had an existing partnership with the Kennedy Center through their Kennedy Center Partners-in-Education (KCPIE) program since 1992. We’re pleased to let you know about their latest, fun family-oriented initiative.
During this unique time, the Kennedy Center has micro-commissioned playwrights to write a short play or musical (ten minutes or less) for students which are now available for free download on playathome.org. All plays are intended for families or small groups of people to perform together at home.
The Play at Home project is a collaboration between theaters from across the country as a response to the rapidly changing landscape of the performing arts during this global crisis. The mission of the initiative is simple: to continue to inspire joy and creativity through live theater.
Share your play via social media using #artshhi and #playathomeplays.
Please Support These Local Businesses
Arts Center Business Partners
As the Lowcountry slowly begins to open back up, we’d like to invite you to support our Business Partners. In case you missed it last week, please take a moment to watch our “thank you” to those groups who help to make the Arts Center run smoothly all year round.
Footloose is Cancelled
In light of the ongoing global crisis, and after careful and painstaking consideration, the Arts Center has decided to cancel its summer production of Footloose. This is a decision we have not taken lightly as we explored many scenarios and options the last several weeks.
Of course, the primary factor is the health, well-being, and safety of our patrons, staff, volunteers, and artists.
Rest assured, we are working on exciting shows for you for our 25th Anniversary Season, and will be sharing the news with you very soon on what’s in store!
A special “thank you” to those patrons who generously donated their ticket value for Kinky Boots and Footloose back to the Arts Center. You will be listed in our next issue of OnCenter magazine.
The Path Forward
A Commitment to Safety
Just one week since the release of its phase one reopening guidelines, the Hilton Head Island–Bluffton Chamber of Commerce has secured commitments from over 200 local businesses to follow COVID-19 best practice protocols designed to safeguard public health.
The protocols were crafted by a local task force comprised of more than 175 community leaders, including the Arts Center. A steering committee that included healthcare professionals reviewed the recommendations and compiled the final Path Forward Readiness Plan.
The Arts Center is adhering to both the Path Forward guidelines as well as those recommended by the CDC as part of our commitment to safety to our patrons, staff, artists and volunteers.
The Arts Center received a “We Took the Pledge” seal that’s now on our building doors near the box office and the lobby entrance.
It’s evident the arts are vital to our lives — especially now — as a way to broaden our experiences, enrich our lives, and remain connected. Please stay tuned as we continue to expand our virtual arts community until we’re together again.
Donate Now
Your support has always been important, and even more so now.
We can move through this unprecedented time together! A heartfelt “thank you” for all you do for the Arts Center!
The arts brighten our spirits and nourish our souls. Consider a donation to our Campaign for Continued Excellence, an emergency fund that will directly impact our ability to return to cultural arts programming as quickly as possible.
To donate, visit artshhi.com/donate or email Senior Director of Development Linda Bloom at lbloom@artshhi.com.