NextStop Theatre Announces Major Changes Due To Covid-19 Resurgence

Due to the recent resurgence of Covid-19 cases in our community, NextStop Theatre has been very carefully considering how to balance their passionate desire to return to producing live, theatrical performances while simultaneously continuing to prioritize the health and safety of their staff, artists, patrons, and community.

It is with this dual focus in mind that NextStop has decided to make the following significant changes to their Fall 2021 programming and policies:

1. NextStop will join other theatre companies in our region in requiring that all patrons provide proof of vaccination in order to attend any live performance held at NextStop through at least December 2021. Masks will also be required for all patrons and staff (with the exception of performers, while on stage) at all times while inside the building. NextStop already has a vaccination mandate in place for all staff, contractors, and volunteers working on behalf of NextStop. Additional information and details on this new policy will be released in the coming days.

2. NextStop will postpone the opening of their production of "An Act of God" by David Javerbaum by one week, from August 12th to August 20th. This will provide the company sufficient time to fully develop all necessary policies, effectively communicate the information to all patrons, and to prepare staff to safely carry out all new procedures. In addition, audience capacity for "An Act of God" will be reduced by nearly 50% to a maximum of 60 seats per performance, to allow for distancing between each group of patrons.

3. Due to the significantly larger scale and therefore inherent challenges of larger casting, technical, and financial requirements, NextStop will be postponing their previously announced Fall productions of "Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood" and "Disaster (the Musical)" until 2022. A revised schedule of Fall 2021 programming will be announced in the coming weeks.

NextStop Theatre will be contacting all current ticket holders for postponed performances of "An Act of God" to assist them in rescheduling their tickets. They will also be issuing full refunds to all individuals who have purchased season packages for the Fall 2021 season and will be extending special discount ticket offers to those patrons to re-purchase individual tickets to "An Act of God" and any other productions that may be announced for the remainder of 2021.

"We recognize and apologize for the significant disruption that these changes represent." said Producing Artistic Director, Evan Hoffmann. "We remain passionate about honoring both our mission of creating high-quality theatrical performances for the community and keeping an unwavering commitment to do everything in our power to protect the health and well-being of all those who honor us with the gift of their labor, their creativity, and their patronage."