A Message Regarding Ridgefield Theater Barn Workshops

Ridgefield, CT - Well, it is officially summer- school is out and the solstice has passed! A collective sigh was heard as all families welcomed the passing of the school year and its challenges. For my family, it was especially poignant as our youngest graduated from RHS. It was a strange end to our school years as a family. I suspect that my son’s ability to roll with it and rise to the circumstances was no different than all of your children. Not all sunshine and rainbows, but overall handled with grace and perseverance.

Along with the relief that came with the end of school came anxiety and hope for what the summer would bring for the kids. That anxiety and hope has been my focus for almost four months now, and I wish I could be bringing you better news.

While it is true that the RTB can open for summer workshops, we have made the painful decision NOT to. There is simply no way to operate any sort of in-person workshop that will serve our kids in any real way:

1. Class size would be severely limited, and we would not be able to serve at least 75% of the families interested
2. The children would have to stay in one room socially distant, with the same children and teacher for the entire day, for the duration of the session
3. Best estimates of aerosol projection through singing and/or projecting your voice goes as far out as 16 feet. That kind of social distancing and risk is impossible to accommodate.

This is heartbreaking for us all, and not a decision that the Board of Directors and I came to lightly. The financial implications of not having summer program are serious indeed.

The Governor of Connecticut has announced his “plans to announce his plans” (lol) for how school will function in Connecticut for 2020-2021 by July 1st. Obviously, what the State plans are will dictate our Fall Workshop design. Our current strategy is to start the fall sessions earlier than usual the week of August 17th and end with performances the weekend of October 23rd.

There is good news, although it seems hard to feel like there is. The numbers in Connecticut are good, and if we all keep doing the things we need to, they should stay that way. In that light, for the month of July we are looking at two ways to keep the RTB Kids engaged and have a social outlet. First, we will be showing movies outside on the hill at the RTB. We will have social distance boxes laid out and take temperatures of all who attend, in addition to other COVID precautions to ensure a safe gathering. These will be free events, but we will require a registration ticket “sale” in order to control the numbers and register for contract tracing. In addition, we are looking to have casual, regularly scheduled hangouts in Google Classroom. We know for some families “virtual burnout” is a real thing and we understand. No one is required to participate in either option. It is important that each family decide what is best for them as we start to venture into a mid-COVID world.

I hope that you and your loved ones continue to be well. I know for me, I am grateful that the virus has not physically affected my family and am acutely aware of how many have suffered. The other effects - emotional, financial, logistical - are worse some days than others, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel now and we cannot wait to fill our beloved Barn with the faces and spirits of your kids.

In the meantime, if you are inclined and have the means to do so, please consider donating at this time. Our projections for 2020 show a total loss of revenue for at least six months. Any amount will help and will not be too small or too large to have an impact.

With great affection,

Pamme