WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The saying is , "The show must go on," and it's never been more true for Spring Theatre during the pandemic.
The state continues to lift restrictions as our COVID-19 metrics improve. At the end of February, Governor Roy Cooper announced new capacity limits for theatres. But it's not as easy as raising the curtain, there's a lot of planning and adapting to change.
"We've had a lot of change already but we've dedicated ourselves to the public and to everybody who we work with to at least do something to provide to the arts as much as possible," Erin Dearth said.
Theatres were first shut down nearly a year ago. Spring Theatre called in an understudy plan, creating from their houses with feature films and socially distanced classes," Dearth said.
This season they're springing forward.
"We branded the season to season of change because we want to do shows and events that kind of embody embracing change and using it to better oneself instead of being afraid of it," Dan Beckmann said. "Also, everything might change."
But it's not as easy as turning on the lights. Theatres in North Carolina are limited to 30% capacity with a cap of 250 people.
"Because it's not just can we be in the theatre and can we have an audience," Dearth said. "It's also if you're not allowed to have capacity of ticket sales that pays for the expenses of the show it's very challenging to have a show."
This weekend they're hoping to break a leg, hosting a 24-hour livestream fundraiser. Twelve singers will perform and you'll be able to vote for your favorite online. The money raised will fund youth programs and the theatre's upcoming season no matter what it looks like. You can learn more here.