From audio dramas to short films, and plays written for post-pandemic production, a repertory company of over 50 artists were hired with PPP Funds to create 12 projects in June 2020
Produced by ShutterSky Pictures, 2020
For the month of June, over 50 writers, directors, educators, actors, technicians, designers, and producers (including several ART staff) were hired to collaboratively create theatre-inspired work that moves beyond the traditional form in response to shelter-in-place orders and public assembly restrictions. Individuals were involved in a multitude of projects, forming a rapidly assembled repertory company dubbed the ART: Mercury Company. Projects were developed independently, or via collaborative meetings in Zoom and in-person recording and filming sessions under strict physically distanced work protocols. Artists Rep will begin releasing its Mercury created content during Summer and Fall of 2020. The theatre seeks funding to continue this method of collaboration and content creation throughout the duration of the pandemic, and beyond.
“The pandemic has forced the disruption of our operating assumptions. Rather than waiting it out, we are testing new ideas for pursuing our mission and are re-imagining what ART will be whenever it is safe for audiences and artists to gather again. Thanks to the nimble work of our team–who wrote dozens of contracts, purchased equipment, made and remade schedules while quickly learning new ways of working online and in person–we were able to use Payroll Protection funds to hire artists on mostly full-time salaries comparable to our mainstage programming.”
ART Artistic Director, Dámaso Rodríguez
ART: Mercury Company Projects
Magellanica Audio Drama
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