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As Theaters Stare Down Uncertainty, Ars Nova Buys Itself Time As Theaters Stare Down Uncertainty, Ars Nova Buys Itself Time
(3 days later)
In the hours after Broadway shut down for 30 days to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Off Broadway closures followed in a wave — show upon show postponed or suspended or prematurely ended.In the hours after Broadway shut down for 30 days to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Off Broadway closures followed in a wave — show upon show postponed or suspended or prematurely ended.
Ars Nova was one of those companies, going dark the same night that Broadway did, and for the same length of time. On March 12, after just two previews, it paused production of the music-theater piece on its Greenwich Village stage, Heather Christian’s “Oratorio for Living Things,” and halted all activity at its headquarters in Hell’s Kitchen, an incubator for emerging artists and their work.Ars Nova was one of those companies, going dark the same night that Broadway did, and for the same length of time. On March 12, after just two previews, it paused production of the music-theater piece on its Greenwich Village stage, Heather Christian’s “Oratorio for Living Things,” and halted all activity at its headquarters in Hell’s Kitchen, an incubator for emerging artists and their work.
Then, on March 23, Ars Nova — which has been a launching pad for artists including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Annie Baker and Billy Eichner — took what its managing director, Renee Blinkwolt, called a “calculated leap of faith.” While much of Off Broadway has adopted a wait-and-see posture toward productions slated for late spring, or postponed them without announcing new dates, Ars Nova took the concrete step of canceling the remainder of its season, which was to have ended June 30.Then, on March 23, Ars Nova — which has been a launching pad for artists including Lin-Manuel Miranda, Annie Baker and Billy Eichner — took what its managing director, Renee Blinkwolt, called a “calculated leap of faith.” While much of Off Broadway has adopted a wait-and-see posture toward productions slated for late spring, or postponed them without announcing new dates, Ars Nova took the concrete step of canceling the remainder of its season, which was to have ended June 30.
In doing so, it promised to pay in full each person who had been scheduled to work during that time: staffers, artists, independent contractors. The opening night photographer for “Oratorio,” or an usher for an April 10 performance? On the list. It adds up to an estimated 223 people, for a total of about $685,000 — such a hefty price tag for a company with a $3.7 million budget that Blinkwolt chuckled wryly when she spoke it aloud.In doing so, it promised to pay in full each person who had been scheduled to work during that time: staffers, artists, independent contractors. The opening night photographer for “Oratorio,” or an usher for an April 10 performance? On the list. It adds up to an estimated 223 people, for a total of about $685,000 — such a hefty price tag for a company with a $3.7 million budget that Blinkwolt chuckled wryly when she spoke it aloud.
“Pardon the laugh,” she said by phone from her home in Astoria, Queens. “I take it very seriously. It’s just a big number to make a commitment to right now.”“Pardon the laugh,” she said by phone from her home in Astoria, Queens. “I take it very seriously. It’s just a big number to make a commitment to right now.”
But a commitment it is, and it comes at a time when some major regional companies — including California Shakespeare Theater, which nixed its entire 2020 season; Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which will be dark through Sept. 6; and Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., which canceled the rest of its season — have announced layoffs or furloughs with their closures. Broadway, under an emergency agreement, will pay its unionized workers for only two and a half weeks of its shutdown, most of that at the minimum rate.But a commitment it is, and it comes at a time when some major regional companies — including California Shakespeare Theater, which nixed its entire 2020 season; Oregon Shakespeare Festival, which will be dark through Sept. 6; and Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., which canceled the rest of its season — have announced layoffs or furloughs with their closures. Broadway, under an emergency agreement, will pay its unionized workers for only two and a half weeks of its shutdown, most of that at the minimum rate.
This may be a good place to mention that Ars Nova did not seek an article about the course it has chosen. On the contrary, Blinkwolt and Jason Eagan, the company’s artistic director, worried that discussing it publicly could look like they were shaming colleagues amid an industry-rattling pandemic. They know that other arts leaders are agonizing, too, about how best to take care of their people and safeguard their institutions.This may be a good place to mention that Ars Nova did not seek an article about the course it has chosen. On the contrary, Blinkwolt and Jason Eagan, the company’s artistic director, worried that discussing it publicly could look like they were shaming colleagues amid an industry-rattling pandemic. They know that other arts leaders are agonizing, too, about how best to take care of their people and safeguard their institutions.
“It’s not meant to be virtue-signaling,” Eagan said from his home in Bushwick, Brooklyn, “but we are putting money in artists’ pockets. That is something we are doing because we are in the fortunate position of being able to do it.”“It’s not meant to be virtue-signaling,” Eagan said from his home in Bushwick, Brooklyn, “but we are putting money in artists’ pockets. That is something we are doing because we are in the fortunate position of being able to do it.”
As Blinkwolt framed it, that ability has nothing to do with an angel donor — there isn’t one, she said — but rather serendipity.As Blinkwolt framed it, that ability has nothing to do with an angel donor — there isn’t one, she said — but rather serendipity.
Thanks to a capital campaign it embarked on in 2018, Ars Nova started the current fiscal year with an unusually large cushion of working capital — six months’ worth. An as yet unreleased report by the Howard Gilman Foundation, using data from 200 New York City performing arts groups that it funds, says that just over one month of working capital is the median for its grantee organizations of all sizes.Thanks to a capital campaign it embarked on in 2018, Ars Nova started the current fiscal year with an unusually large cushion of working capital — six months’ worth. An as yet unreleased report by the Howard Gilman Foundation, using data from 200 New York City performing arts groups that it funds, says that just over one month of working capital is the median for its grantee organizations of all sizes.
Also in Ars Nova’s favor is the odd-duck timing of its annual gala benefit, which it holds in the fall, an evening that tends more toward sexy than staid. With Tina Fey, Audra McDonald, Josh Groban and Freestyle Love Supreme all in attendance, this season’s unusually starry incarnation netted $714,000, or nearly 20 percent of the company’s annual budget.Also in Ars Nova’s favor is the odd-duck timing of its annual gala benefit, which it holds in the fall, an evening that tends more toward sexy than staid. With Tina Fey, Audra McDonald, Josh Groban and Freestyle Love Supreme all in attendance, this season’s unusually starry incarnation netted $714,000, or nearly 20 percent of the company’s annual budget.
That percentage is “pretty typical” for theaters, Blinkwolt said. But spring is more traditional for galas, and the threat of the coronavirus has many theaters scrambling to reschedule or reconfigure events that bring in a sizable chunk of their income.That percentage is “pretty typical” for theaters, Blinkwolt said. But spring is more traditional for galas, and the threat of the coronavirus has many theaters scrambling to reschedule or reconfigure events that bring in a sizable chunk of their income.
A third factor is that Ars Nova keeps its ticket prices low so that its shows are accessible to young audiences. With box-office sales making up only 7 percent of its budget, losing that income “is obviously a hit,” Blinkwolt said, but a less painful one than it might be otherwise.A third factor is that Ars Nova keeps its ticket prices low so that its shows are accessible to young audiences. With box-office sales making up only 7 percent of its budget, losing that income “is obviously a hit,” Blinkwolt said, but a less painful one than it might be otherwise.
So, when the pandemic’s disruption began to look like it would last longer than 30 days, the company decided to do what their means enabled them to do.So, when the pandemic’s disruption began to look like it would last longer than 30 days, the company decided to do what their means enabled them to do.
Like nonprofit theaters with their paper-thin margins, Blinkwolt said, the people they employ “probably don’t have three to six months of their living expenses in their savings account, and so aren’t built to weather this kind of storm.”Like nonprofit theaters with their paper-thin margins, Blinkwolt said, the people they employ “probably don’t have three to six months of their living expenses in their savings account, and so aren’t built to weather this kind of storm.”
She and Eagan hope that Ars Nova’s supporters will have the company’s back, to replenish the funds they are tapping into now.She and Eagan hope that Ars Nova’s supporters will have the company’s back, to replenish the funds they are tapping into now.
Updated June 12, 2020Updated June 12, 2020
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
“I mean, you calculate the risk,” Eagan said, “and then you do what you can — but you do everything you can. The right decision for us is leading through our values, following our hearts. It sounds cheesy, but it’s the whole reason we exist.”“I mean, you calculate the risk,” Eagan said, “and then you do what you can — but you do everything you can. The right decision for us is leading through our values, following our hearts. It sounds cheesy, but it’s the whole reason we exist.”
And now that they have cleared away the energy-sucking distraction of what he called “incremental crisis management” — changing plans in response to each development in pandemic news — they have a few months to plan for the longer term, figuring out ways to bounce back quickly when the all-clear sounds.And now that they have cleared away the energy-sucking distraction of what he called “incremental crisis management” — changing plans in response to each development in pandemic news — they have a few months to plan for the longer term, figuring out ways to bounce back quickly when the all-clear sounds.
Maybe then “Oratorio” will return in some form, even if Eagan can’t yet say how.Maybe then “Oratorio” will return in some form, even if Eagan can’t yet say how.
“It feels even more important to me now that people get to see it,” he said. “We’re going to start exploring all the possibilities for how to do that somehow, somewhere, sometime.”“It feels even more important to me now that people get to see it,” he said. “We’re going to start exploring all the possibilities for how to do that somehow, somewhere, sometime.”
In the meanwhile, Eagan is happy to have Ars Nova host what it can online — like an Instagram concert last Friday in which Andrew R. Butler performed songs from his musical “Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future.”In the meanwhile, Eagan is happy to have Ars Nova host what it can online — like an Instagram concert last Friday in which Andrew R. Butler performed songs from his musical “Rags Parkland Sings the Songs of the Future.”
“But I’m finding myself mostly thinking about resilience,” Eagan said. “And how do we come out the other side of this.”“But I’m finding myself mostly thinking about resilience,” Eagan said. “And how do we come out the other side of this.”