March 16, 2020
Last night, the Pentacle Theatre Governing Board met and discussed the rapidly evolving status of the coronavirus pandemic. At the same time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued interim guidance regarding large gatherings:
“… CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.”
Today, Governor Brown closed restaurants and bars bars (except for takeout), banned gatherings of more than 25 people and urged Oregonians to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people.
These conditions have put extraordinary limits on organizations across the country, and Pentacle Theatre is no exception.
Pentacle Theatre is committed to helping reduce the spread of this virus through compliance with the CDC’s recommendations and best practices for public health. The board has taken several actions to reduce the risk to our staff, volunteers and patrons. Those actions are:
- Cancelation of the remaining run of The Cake.
- Cancelation of Rabbit Hole.
- Suspension of rehearsals for Company until schools reopen.
- Suspension of our acting workshop.
This is a heart-wrenching situation for the board, staff and—most of all—the casts and crews of our productions. Pentacle Theatre is a community. Staff, volunteers and patrons come to us for a sense of connection and to share the experience of live theater.
This decision will create hardships for our theater and committed volunteers. We ask for your patience and support during this challenging time. And we cannot wait to be back on our stage with you in the audience.
We have been heartened by the many responses of support, including generosity from patrons expressing a desire to donate their purchased tickets when we canceled the March 13-15 performances of The Cake. We thank you.
All ticket donations will go toward supporting our company operations and ensuring Pentacle Theatre will be ready to entertain you or give you place to perform when the pandemic precautions are no longer necessary. We’re asking–before you request a refund–that you please consider the option of ticket donation first.
If you have tickets to a performance that has been canceled, you have three options:
- Donate your ticket(s) back to us; ticket donations are tax deductible and we will mail you a thank you and donation receipt. Your donation will offset the production costs that have already been incurred and will assist with providing future Pentacle productions. Thank you!
- Keep your tickets and use them for a later performance in our season; we will mail you a voucher in the coming weeks. We have a great line up for 2020.
- Request a refund. If you are not in the position to donate or exchange your ticket, we are willing to process a refund for you.
Let us know your preference here.
Our small staff is very busy. Please be patient as we respond to the many inquiries we are receiving during this time.
This is a dynamic, quickly changing situation. As always, we will communicate clearly and directly about our plans and activities to continue to provide great theater in the safest possible environment.
Please consider a donation during this difficult time.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
For more information:
The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
Lisa Joyce
Executive Director
