Blue Ridge Community Theater (BRCT) has cautiously reopened, according to BRCT President Patricia Webb.
“Due to the on-going interactions with our patrons and our theater family, your Blue Ridge Community Theater has cautiously planned the remainder of a 2020 Season,” Webb said.
Adding that the theater is not motivated to reopen due to financial reasons, Webb said BRCT wishes to serve their patrons and keep their theater family involved.
“Although we are creating a new art form of ‘virtual theater,’ it is not the same as interacting with a live audience,” Webb said. “COVID-19, in some respects, has become the antithesis of theatre and in opposition to your BRCT’s core purpose. Reopening our season was done with careful considerations.”
With that said, the theater’s remainder of the season is as follows:
•October 23 through 31, Sunny D Children’s Theater’s production of Harriett’s Halloween Candy, audience members are encouraged to wear their favorite costume, and each child will receive a “trick-or-treat gift,” the show will begin Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.;
•November 27 through December 14, The Gift of the Magi 2.0, the show will begin Thursday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m.;
•December 17-19, Sunny D Children’s Theater’s production of Run Away Reindeer, the show will begin at 10 a.m. each day; and
•December 17-20, Sunny D Children’s Theater’s production of Annie, shown Thursday through Sunday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
“Because of COVID-19’s social distancing guidelines, our normal house size of 171 seats has been reduced to approximately 40 seats,” Webb said.
The theater’s COVID-19 guidelines are as follows:
•Audiences must enter one way and exit through another.
•The theater is fogged and cleaned daily between performances.
•A 6 foot distance is kept between all patrons that did not come together. Families may sit together, but will be distanced from others.
•Masks are required and are provided if needed.
•Temperatures are taken upon entrance. Anyone with a temperature will not be admitted, and if an individual with a temperature came with a group, the whole group will be denied.
•Hand sanitizers are available throughout the theater.
•Six foot distancing tape is used to control traffic.
•The number of individuals in restrooms is monitored.
•No concessions are being sold, but a complimentary water is provided.
The theater is located at 2591 E. First St., Blue Ridge, and they are reachable at 706-632-9191.