Renaissance Theatre's video: A Message from Our President

“Creativity takes courage,” Matisse said. These are challenging times for all of us, and as a not-for-profit organization operating on an extremely lean budget, ticket revenues support over 60% of our operations. As a result, there is no doubt that the cancellation of performances will put significant financial strain on the Renaissance. But, as it turns out, there are actually times that the show really shouldn’t go on - unless, of course, it’s a one-man show. No, we aren’t the only ones impacted by this important and life-saving mandate on gatherings; restaurants, bars, bowling alleys, rec centers (and many, many more) are all closed. Each and every one of us will be affected by the current pandemic. The important thing is that we get through it together and come out even better on the other side. In times of great darkness, we humans have always found solace in the arts. They offer a reprieve from our daily troubles and feelings of isolation by providing an outlet for expression and connecting us with others through a shared experience. That’s why, in the midst of this totally unprecedented time, we’re seizing the opportunity to show the true power of the arts. We’ve partnered with local artists who have volunteered their time and their talents to help us all get through this. So even though we can’t be in the same room, we can still share the same experience through the launch of our QuaRENtine Creations series, releasing new episodes every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. Social distancing, while critical at this time, leaves us with a serious deficit of that which makes us human. So, what can you do when there’s nothing to do? Donate to causes that give you the “warm glow.” We live in a time of incredible technology, so connect. Reach out to each other. Tune into our QuaRENtine Creations series. Remember that even when you’re by yourself, you are not alone. Take care of each other. Chelsie Thompson, President, Renaissance Performing Arts