Geyer theater keeps performance art moving with virtual cabarets
Geyer Performing Arts Center board member Jessica Zack (left middel) is part of a recent Zoom session where the regular theater performers discuss monthly virtual cabaret events to be presented on on the theater's Facebook page.
Jordan Gilbert performs during Geyer Performing Arts Center's first virtual cabaret on June 20.
Breanna Deutsch performs during Geyer Performing Arts Center's first virtual cabaret on June 20.
Adam Wainwright performs during Geyer Performing Arts Center's first virtual cabaret on June 20.
The Geyer Performing Arts Center is keeping art alive and its theater afloat with monthly virtual cabarets featuring some of its regular performers.
The Scottdale theater announced it was closing its doors for the 2020 season Monday, but fundraising through virtual performances will help pay the bills. Geyer held its first virtual cabaret June 20, 鈥淎n Evening of Disney,鈥� on Facebook Live and collected nearly $700 in donations. Board member Jessica Zack聽 said the virtual events give performers and spectators a chance to experience the arts, which were was lost in the shutdown.
鈥淚t was really exciting that we were able to do the virtual cabaret, because at the Geyer, we have one if not two shows every month, plus a choir and after-school programs. It was all shut down,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 know I spent most of my evenings there, so we鈥檙e all kind of at a loss.鈥�
On July 18, they will hold a Tony Awards-themed virtual cabaret on the Geyer Performing Arts Center Facebook page, and again accept donations.
Zack said she and other board members were thrilled by the donations, but noted it will only cover a portion of their monthly expenses.
鈥淓very little bit helps, but it definitely wasn鈥檛 everything we needed,鈥� she said, adding their theater is a Victorian-era building that requires substantial upkeep. 鈥淚t definitely isn鈥檛 going to cover everything, but we are still hoping to bring in something with these cabarets, because obviously we haven鈥檛 been able to bring in any money otherwise.鈥�
She said the board determined reopening according to CDC guidelines was not practical for the theater, so they decided to move the 2020 season online as COVID-19 cases rise in many areas. This will ensure they can keep their performers and patrons safe, she said.
鈥淭here are a lot of guidelines put on theaters that are different. You can鈥檛 just open as usual,鈥� she said.
鈥淲e鈥檙e still here. We will be here for our community members. We value them, and we can鈥檛 wait to see them,鈥� she said.
Zack noted the importance of the arts and the creative process, especially in stressful times like the pandemic.
鈥淎rt in any form can be relaxing and therapeutic, and, especially for people who do it all the time, it鈥檚 just as essential as anything else that we do. So it鈥檚 definitely important that we keep it up in any way that we can,鈥� she said.
Zack recommended that everyone find a creative outlet, and to look online for inspiration.
鈥淚 just think it鈥檚 really important to not forget about the arts, whether that means you鈥檙e sitting at home and trying some new things like writing,鈥� she said. 鈥淛ust have fun. You don鈥檛 have to write the next 鈥楬amilton.鈥� Just keep yourself sane.鈥�