FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PERFORMING ARTS EVOLVE AFTER PANDEMIC AND ALTOONA COMMUNITY THEATRE EVOLVES, TOO
As a new performing arts experience emerges ACT helps audiences evolve with new touchless program books.
Altoona Community Theatre
Tara Enedy, Director of Operations
814-943-4357
tara@altoonacommunitytheatre.com
Altoona, PA, September 8, 2021 — Performing artists and the organizations that support them are continually perfecting their craft. Over the past 2,500 years, venues, artists and audiences have changed. Imagine how much the methods have evolved from the first traveling troupes of actors and playwrights to our modern Broadway experience, complete with pyrotechnics, sound systems and laser light shows.
The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 dealt a mean blow to the performing arts industry. But the show isn’t over yet!
The methods have changed, but the goal remains: Altoona Community Theatre will continue to provide a fantastic, creative outlet for our volunteer actors, technicians, builders, and painters and an extraordinary experience for our loyal patrons.
Now, in 2021, it’s time for another evolution. The world is regaining its footing in the wake of a global pandemic. Organizations will need to find new ways to host events in a more socially distant setting, and the team at ACT is ahead of the curve.
This year, we’re proud to provide touchless program books for our patrons and their friends. We realize there will always be a need for high-quality program books that our patrons can enjoy before a performance and keep as a souvenir. But for now, a COVID-19-safe technology is available. Altoona Community Theatre will be taking advantage of it for your safety.
“2020 was a year of change in the performing arts industry,” said ACT Board President Bryce Cossitor. “But after every pandemic, humanity experiences a renaissance. 2021 will be no different. We’re looking forward to implementing these adjustments and adapting to audience demands. An outstanding experience is our primary goal, but your safety always supersedes that. We encourage you to try our touchless program books this season.”
This year and in the future, we will provide a touchless program book for every performance. It’s easy to access and navigate, and you can keep it forever. So now, as you ready for an ACT performance at the Mishler Theatre, you will learn about the performers and peruse the advertising, just like in past years. All you need to do is scan the QR code for touchless program book, and you’ll have everything at your fingertips. It’s one small change we can make to reduce unneeded hand contacts this year.
Know that the artists at ACT have been perfecting their crafts during the off-season. We’re eagerly anticipating our full season with “Deathtrap” in September, the heartwarming “Miracle on 34th Street” in November, the Roaring 20’s classic of American literature “The Great Gatsby” in February, and the kooky “Addams Family Musical” in May. It will be a terrific adventure to host you again, and we promise to provide a memorable and delightful series of shows on the Benzel Stage of the historic Mishler Theatre.
Check out our website altoonacommunitytheatre.com to learn more about season, buy event tickets, or become a volunteer. We can’t wait to show you the performance of a lifetime!
If you’d like to learn more about the 2021-2022 mainstage season, and the precautions we’re taking to improve your experience, contact Tara Enedy at tara@altoonacommunitytheatre.com
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