As concerns about COVID-19 continue and announcements that students in West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky will not return to the classrooms for the rest of the school year, First Stage Theatre Company has been weighing its plans for the remainder of its ongoing season and its plans for next season (Fall 2020 - Spring 2021).
Huntington’s long-running children’s theatre had two shows remaining in its current season: “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” was originally scheduled to be staged on the first weekend in April, and “Disney’s Moana, Jr” on the final weekend in April and the first weekend in May.
Rehearsals for both productions have been suspended during the outbreak.
The First Stage Board of Directors met last week and decided against canceling the shows. Instead they will continue to put both shows on “hold” - ready to pick back up with rehearsals if and when the “stay at home” order is lifted.
First Stage President Amy Browning said, “Both shows include seniors in leading roles who will be going away to college at the end of the summer, and we don’t want to take away their final shows with First Stage as long as it’s still possible that we’ll be able to stage those shows.”
The theatrical companies that hold the rights have allowed community theatre companies to reschedule shows that were canceled by the COVID-19 epidemic, so the show dates can be shuffled.
If by the end of summer First Stage hasn’t been able to stage these shows, then they’ll be rescheduled for the next season.
Browning added, “The lineup for our 31st season (Fall 2020 - Spring 2021) is also on hold, as we wait to see what happens to this season’s shows. We hope circumstances will allow the shows to go on, but for now, we’ll all have to wait and see.”
The First Stage Board of Directors is working to develop alternative ways to provide an artistic outlet and creative development for the children in our community. More information will be shared on the Facebook page as it becomes available. For now, questions or suggestions should be directed to the Facebook page or a First Stage Board member.
Based in Huntington, W.Va., the First Stage Theatre Company is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to providing an educational, developmental experience for young people through the performing arts. There is no charge to take part in a First Stage production.
