ArtQuest Theatre

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Dear Friends, On this Giving Tuesday, we wanted you to know that we miss you. So very much. The artists at Main Stage West miss those moments with you when time... is stopped by human connection. We miss the laughter and the tears. We miss the intimacy and heat that can only be created through live theater. When we saw many of you at our Gala last March, it was a very different world. While we were concerned about the realities of programming around extended fire seasons, as well as the financial impact of Assembly Bill 5 (the gig economy), the beginning of a second decade at MSW seemed bright. We had just closed a stunning production of Mary’s Wedding and were excited to share our 20/21 season. The week following our Gala marked the beginning of what we have come to think of as The Great Pause. The care and energy we had put into planning the season was redirected into survival strategies. How could we best use this time to set ourselves up for success when we welcome you back again? In addition to sorting through 30 years’ worth of props, costumes, and priceless theater memories, we have been deep cleaning and making improvements to the space to make sure you have the best possible environment to come back to. We have been evaluating and restructuring our business operations to navigate the new challenges the theater community is facing. We worked to reduce our operating costs while also acquiring grants from the Community Foundation, the 5th District of Sonoma County, the RiskPress Foundation, and the Paycheck Protection Program. These funds, along with the generosity of those who donated the remainder of their season subscriptions during the shutdown, have made it possible for us to make it through 2020. But our financial health is still a concern. With the New Year comes the hope of Covid vaccines, and while we know that nothing is certain, we are making plans for an outdoor performance next summer and a return to our intimate space in the fall. We are currently revising the season to follow social distancing protocols and accommodate a society that has undergone major cultural shifts. We are committed to amplifying a diverse set of voices and creating a space for our community to engage with one another. While we may have to wait a bit longer to share a space, all of us at Main Stage want to share the Holidays with you. Beginning on December 17th, a free Holiday Video Special will be available on our website. Featuring some of our favorite musicians, actors, directors and designers, we hope that it will warm your heart and remind you of all the reasons you love and support live theater. If on this Giving Tuesday you can offer financial assistance to MSW, please visit MainStageWest.com to donate or click the link in the comments below. Your tax-deductible gift will help ensure Main Stage West’s future as Sebastopol’s home for provocative, live theater. With warmest holiday wishes for the safety and joy of your loved ones, Ivy Rose Miller and Keith Baker

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Thanks Main Stage West for letting ArtQuest students record a college audition on your stage while our campus is Covid-closed!

In an effort to make the most out of hosting our shows over the Zoom format, we have something special coming up. We are super excited to announce that we are n...ow accepting short play submissions for our short play festival "Hindsight is 2021," premiering in January. Plays must be 10 minutes long, related to current events, and written for the Zoom format. Please help us spread the word by sharing this post or passing along this flyer and link to playwrights in your network! One of the things we are most excited about is that "Hindsight is 2021" knows no borders! That means we want to see submissions from near and far. Since Facebook doesn't allow pdf sharing, the submission link on the flyer won't work. Here is where you can submit your short play: https://forms.gle/k41fAC6iPeMPFhU5A Bookmark it! Share it! The deadline for submitting is October 10, 2020. Please reach out to us if you have any questions!