Hello, dear friends.

We want to take a moment to answer some of the questions you may be having about Rome Little Theatre as we continue to navigate these uncertain waters. Thank you to everyone who has sent a kind note, completed our reopening survey, or engaged with us online. We know that your hearts and minds are focused on the health and safety of your loved ones, so knowing that you’ve spared a thought for RLT means the world to us.

How are we preparing for reopening?

As always, the well-being of our patrons and volunteers remains our number one priority. Several weeks ago, we established a Reopening and Preparedness Committee composed of local health experts, key volunteers, and RLT staff and board members. The committee is working diligently to determine when and how we can safely and responsibly welcome folks back into the theater. They have developed comprehensive safety protocols for us to implement to keep our patrons and volunteers safe when we do return.

What is the status of Leading Ladies and Frozen, JR?

When this all started, we were optimistic that we could simply postpone Leading Ladies and Frozen, JR until fall and then open a regular season. What we’ve learned since then is that the greatest risk for Covid-19 transmission remains exposure to respiratory droplets and aerosolization in close quarters. Activities such as singing, dancing, and even projecting increase the risk dramatically, especially to performers and crew members who, unlike audiences, can’t always be socially-distanced and masked. For the safety of our casts and crews, we’ve decided to postpone these two productions until we can stage them safely. The casts and crews have been notified. They know that we are committed to producing their shows when it’s safe to do so, and that when we do, they will have the first right of refusal for their roles. To our season ticket holders and individual ticket holders, we’ll be reaching out to you separately via email about your tickets to Leading Ladies and Frozen, JR.

What will this season look like?

Like our fellow community theatres across the nation, we have had to make many difficult decisions. We believe, however, that our challenges give us an opportunity to reflect and grow. Our guiding principle is that theatre is for everyone and there’s a place for everyone at RLT. To that end, we embrace this uncertain time as an opportunity to explore new ideas, materials, formats, and venues that will allow us to reach, include, and serve even more of our community while keeping everyone safe. We’re working on some exciting projects that we think you will really enjoy. And while we hope to return to a more “normal” season in 2020-2021, we believe that this period of exploration will allow us to test new ideas that will go on to enrich future seasons.

When will we reopen?

To be honest, we can’t be certain, but as soon as we know something, you will, too. We’re analyzing information as it becomes available to us, looking to our reopening committee for guidance, and considering the feedback of our patrons and volunteers. Rest assured, we’re working hard behind the scenes to ensure that this theatre we all love will weather the storm and that we will be ready to roll as soon as it’s safe for our patrons, volunteers, and performers to return.

What work is being done now?

Even though we’re not open, we’re still busy behind the scenes, focusing on work that will position RLT for long term strength and sustainability. Here are just a few of the things, in addition to the reopening preparation, that we’ve been working on over the past few months:

• RLT Academy Online. RLT Academy moved online and provided three workshops for young actors this summer, including two productions performed online!

• Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Task Force. The RLT EDI Task Force was created this summer to help us better serve the people of color in our community and lay a foundation for lasting change. This diverse and passionate group of volunteers is working to identify obstacles and opportunities for growth, and to recommend a strategy to realize that growth. We know we have work to do and we’re committed to doing it.

• Updated Bylaws. The Bylaws Committee, composed of Lifetime Members and Board Members, worked for months to update and revise the RLT Bylaws. The revised bylaws were approved by the RLT Membership at the annual meeting in June.

• On-Site Costume Shop, Library, and Rehearsal. We reached an agreement with the Historic DeSoto Theatre Foundation that allowed us to move our costume shop, as well as a library and meeting room, to the DeSoto. When the time comes, we’ll also be discussing rehearsal space within the building. 

• RLT Playhouse. With the HDTF agreement in place, we were able to sell the RLT Playhouse. We simply weren’t using the space enough to justify the expense, even before the pandemic. Eliminating those expenses and recovering the equity will help us stay financially healthy during this challenging time and beyond.

• Special Events. We don’t have details to share, yet, but we’re working on some exciting performances for this fall. Actors and volunteers, please join us for the volunteer chat below!

• Volunteer Chat. RLT volunteers are invited to a meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, August 4, at 6:30PM for an update on life at RLT, what we're working on, and opportunities we have coming up.
   

This is just a little bit of the good news at RLT. We all long to be together again in the theatre and look forward to the day that it’s safe to welcome everyone back. Until then, we’re committed to exploring new ways to bring people together to create, share, laugh, and heal.

Thank you for being a part of the RLT family. ️

P.S. Last, but certainly not least -- a heartfelt thank you to the donors who’ve supported us during this time. Please know that every dollar you spend to support RLT and other local nonprofits and small businesses right now is greatly appreciated. Thank you.