Announcing: New COVID-19 Precautions and Season Updates
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AUGUST 10, 2021
CONTACT: EVAN HOFFMANN
EMAIL: info@nextstoptheatre.org
PHONE: 703-481-5930
Due to the recent resurgence of Covid-19 cases in our community, we at NextStop have been very carefully considering how we balance our passionate desire to return to producing live, theatrical performances while simultaneously continuing to prioritize the health and safety of our staff, artists, patrons, and community.
It is with this dual focus in mind that NextStop has decided to make the following significant changes to our Fall 2021 programming plan...
1. NextStop will now require that all patrons provide proof of vaccination in order to attend any live performance held in our theater 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 our production of "An Act of God" by David Javerbaum, by one week from August 12th to August 20th. This will provide us sufficient time to fully develop and articulate all necessary policies, effectively communicate the information to all our current and prospective patrons, and to prepare our staff to safely carry out any and 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[VK1] 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 our 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.
In connection with these significant changes to our Fall schedule, NextStop Theatre will be contacting all ticket holders for the postponed first performances of "An Act of God" to assist them in rescheduling their tickets. We 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 late notice and significant disruption that these changes represent to our operations and your theatre attendance plans. We humbly ask for your patience and understanding as we continue to do our best to simultaneously honor our mission of creating high-quality theatrical performances for our community and our 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.
Sincerely,
Evan Hoffmann (and everyone at NextStop Theatre)