Dear 2020 Playhouse Members:

As we approach the next calendar year 2021, I think we can all say Good Riddance to 2020. Given how amazing our 2020 season started with sell-out performances for Clue: On Stage, we were disappointed when the coronavirus put a screeching halt to theaters across the country. But, the health and safety of the community was of greater importance.

If there was one thing that could be learned from 2020, it was that to ensure shows continue to go on adapting to a health crisis was imperative. Adapting is on our radar; both in how we thank you for sticking with us in 2020 and in how we present shows going forward.

Given the fact that we may be required to limit the attendance of all of our 2021 shows, we have been securing the digital rights to all shows for the upcoming season. This will allow Yorkshire members and theatre enthusiasts to enjoy Yorkshire productions from the comfort of their own home. This is new to Yorkshire, but we are in the same situation that other small theatre’s are in across the country. I want members and sponsors to have a feeling of optimism for 2021; that no matter what, you should still be able to enjoy live theatre from the Yorkshire Playhouse. Nothing truly beats the in person theatre experience, but there’s no reason to not offer these productions digitally as well.

Members, included in the letter you willl be recieving by mail, are two voucher tickets that can be used for any show over the next two seasons. Not only will these vouchers work for the next two seasons, but tickets from memberships purchased for the 2021 Season will also be honored for the upcoming two seasons (2021 and 2022 seasons). We know that this does not make up for the four main stage productions that had to be cancelled in 2020, but it’s our way of saying “Thank You” for sticking with us.

This is a good time to announce the line-up for our 2021 Season! We are pleased to announce that all of the shows missed in 2020 will move into the 2021 season. We kick our Main Stage season off with a mystery, Miss Holmes. Miss Holmes is an adaptation of the classic character Sherlock Holmes in a familiar Victorian era setting with well known characters. The New Kid on the Block fills our Spring production. The show includes a cast of three elderly individuals as they search for a new, fourth roommate. This show is sure to have you rolling in the aisle! A Play About a Dragon includes the mistaken identity of a troupe of actors who have agreed to “perform” for the King and Queen. In the Fall, we hope to bring you alongside one family’s journey through grief in Rabbit Hole. Spend next Christmas with the Christmas Belles! From the writers of The Dixie Swim Club and Always a Bridesmaid comes a southern comedy with a Christmas flair.

Volunteers who helped adapt summer Children’s Theatre to our outside walking venue.

We are excited about our new season, and we believe you will be too! Join us in person or digitally in 2021 as we strive to create art through live theatre! Get your membership to the Yorkshire Playhouse 2021 Season at yorkshireplayhouse.com/box-office starting December 1, 2020! Purchase before December 31, 2020 for additional savings! Lock in savings for the upcoming season and purchase additional show tickets for a show for the reduced price of $12.50 per ticket anytime memberships are purchased. And don’t forget ALL tickets purchased for the 2021 season can still be used during the 2022 season! This Christmas season be sure to give the gift of theater by buying memberships for friends and family. With Virtual shows just around the corner, physical location is no barrier to enjoying a great Yorkshire Playhouse production.

The intent of this letter may be to kick off our 2021 membership drive, but it would be wrong not to mention information about our Go Digital in 2021 Campaign. As I previously mentioned, the Yorkshire Playhouse needs to adapt to provide audiences with live theatre from a digital venue. The Go Digital 2021 does just that! To go digital and do it well, we have set a goal to raise $7500 during the week of Giving Tuesday. Funds raised from this campaign will be used to purchase the sound and video equipment needed, as well as digital software production materials. Cornerstone Bank has generously committed to supporting this fund drive by matching the funds raised dollar for dollar up to $3750; meaning that your contributions to this fund drive doubles! A one dollar donation becomes two dollars, a ten dollar donation becomes twenty dollars and one hundred dollars becomes two hundred dollars. A big thank you goes out to Cornerstone Bank for their continued support of fine arts in York!

As the official end of 2020 approaches, it appears that our Christmas Show will be an online only show for those who are not the immediate family members of our cast. We had hoped to see many of you in person in our audience for A Suessified Christmas Carol, sadly that just does not look likely with the needed additional health directives limiting gatherings. December 12th was set to be our first ever virtual performance. We hope to be able to offer the show virtually on other dates as well. Be on the lookout for how to view the show on our Facebook page and website!

A final thank you to all those who stuck with us through the 2020 season. This year has not been easy for anyone and we applaud you for your continued support for the playhouse.

Sincerely,

Adam Kreifels

Yorkshire Playhouse Board President

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End of Year Letter from the President 2020