Rep Stage's December Production Canceled Due To Contract Disagreement

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The December production of Songs for a New World by Rep Stage, a regional professional theatre-in-residence at Howard Community College, has been canceled. Originally scheduled for Dec. 2-19, Rep Stage shared that it planned to follow county, state and federal guidelines that prioritized the health, safety and well-being of patrons and the community. But the current actors’ equity contract rider does not align with the Rep Stage plan or Howard Community College’s current COVID-19 plan.

Rep Stage sought revisions, but Equity would not agree to changes.

“I am so grateful to our patrons for their continued patience and support as Rep Stage has worked to navigate the challenges of producing live theatre during this ongoing pandemic,” Joseph W. Ritsch, producing artistic director of Rep Stage, said. “Making the decision to cancel was difficult, as I know that ‘Songs for a New World’ would have been a beautiful and moving production at this time of year.”

Patrons who have season tickets will be provided a credit for the value of the production. Individual ticket holders will be contacted by the box office for credit to their account.

Details regarding the spring 2022 productions will be available by the end of January.