April 26, 2020
Dear Friends, Patrons, Volunteers and Supporters:
Carrollwood Players is committed to the survival and vitality of the arts in our community.
Community theatre is so important to people from all walks of life. Our reason for existing is to bring our community together in a place where everyone can learn about, participate in, and experience the magic of live theatre.
Just over a month after going dark, we understand that if the show will go on, we must temporarily re-imagine how we can create art and bring people together. And we must ask you to stand with us like never before.
We know we will eventually welcome you back for live performances at Carrollwood Players. But we remain steadfastly committed to doing so only when we can keep everyone safe.
With all of this in mind, we find ourselves tasked with reinventing how we fulfill our mission, while simultaneously facing a time of financial uncertainty.
With ticket sales for our shows traditionally covering approximately 75% of our fixed monthly expenses of more than $10,000, we know our long term survival will depend on innovation and community support.
Our plan includes the development of new entertainment options for our community in the shorter term, strong season ticket sales for the opening of our 40th anniversary season this September, and an unprecedented outpouring of urgently needed support from everyone in our community who is able to help at any level. We are also working diligently to obtain federal assistance and grants.
While we are fortunate to have short-term emergency reserves to help us survive for a few months, we will also need our supporters to be a life raft as we navigate these rapids.
Please be sure to see the HOW YOU CAN HELP section at the bottom of this message
Update on Suspension of Live Public Events
To ensure the well-being of our entire CWP community, we have extended the suspension of all live public events at Carrollwood Players Theatre through late July, 2020.
- A Streetcar Named Desire is postponed short term. We hope to open this production in late July, and will announce exact dates as soon as possible.
- The 2020 One Act Weekend is postponed short term. We hope to present this production in late August, and will announce exact dates as soon as possible.
- Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike is postponed long term. We hope to offer this production in our 2021/2022 season.
- Spring Awakening, The Play is canceled.
- A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum is postponed long term. We hope to offer this production in our 2021/2022 season.
- The Curious Savage is canceled.
- August: Osage County is canceled.
If you are holding tickets for any of these productions, or are a season ticket holder, we will be contacting you directly this week with options. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
New Online Entertainment
CWP IN MOTION
Between April 5th and May 5th, 2020, our CWP Champions presented 30 days of live events on Facebook! If you haven’t tuned in yet, visit CWP in Motion on Facebook to watch all the videos! Have some fun, learn something new, stay connected, and get in motion!
ARNIE & THE ITCH – STREAMING ON DEMAND – May 6th – 20th
Buy a ticket to obtain on demand streaming access to the full video of our 2018 world premiere production of Arnie & The Itch, a story about a bra, a missing ring, and a scratch that might keep a boy from becoming a mensch.
KIDSPEAK 5.0 – LIVE ONLINE! – June 5th, 6th, and 7th
Join us as we celebrate 5 years of inspiring young playwrights to reach for the stars! Explore the imaginations of our writers as an adult cast goes LIVE ONLINE to perform a reading of short plays submitted by kid playwrights. Audiences of all ages love the results, so come escape into a world of wonderment and endless possibility.
QUARANTINE – THE MUSICAL – LIVE ONLINE! – Coming in mid to late June
BEHIND THE CURTAIN – THE CWP PODCAST – Coming in June
A PATRIOTIC CABARET – LIVE ONLINE! – Coming in July
Watch for more online events, including classes!
How You Can Help
SEND A DONATION THE OLD FASHIONED WAY: P.O. Box 270116, Tampa, FL, 33688
ADOPT A MONTH! We are in need of significant support from multiple donors who are able to make a special effort at this time. If you are interested in “adopting a month” between now and September with a gift of $1,000 or more, please contact Jim Russell at jim.russell@carrollwoodplayers.org or at 813-451-2391.
VOLUNTEER FOR SPRING CLEANING! When it is safe to do so, we hope to take advantage of this unusual time to complete a major sprucing up of the theatre prior to re-opening. We’ll be painting, organizing, cleaning, and more. If you would like to be contacted with more information about helping, please email info@carrollwoodplayers.org
Whether you make a donation, buy season tickets, buy a gift certificate for future tickets, buy a ticket for an online event, or volunteer, if we all come together to help, Carrollwood Players Theatre will be able to weather this storm.
We are so grateful for your support. No matter who we are individually, together we are Carrollwood Players.
Sincerely,
The Board of Trustees and Staff of Carrollwood Players Theatre
