SAN ANTONIO - Though the lights are on at The Public Theater of San Antonio, the doors are closed to the public and its performers during the coronavirus pandemic.
- Relief program started with Luminaria Artist Foundation
- Program grew into Corona Arts Relief program
- 12-hour telethon will help support more artists
It's a somber sight for Emily Evans. The professional actress was under contract for the musical "Bright Star" before the production was shut down amid health and safety concerns.
"People were pretty heartbroken because there is no foreseeable future for people coming and sitting in a crowded auditorium," said Evans.
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Now, like many Texans, the performer is without a steady paycheck. To offset her upcoming bills, Evans began offering virtual singing lessons to her younger students and selling homemade embroideries. She then took a chance and applied for the emergency program by the San Antonio-based Luminaria Artist Foundation.
"We started partnering with the City of San Antonio and we asked if we could quickly create a fund for artists," said Kathy Armstrong, Luminaria executive director.
The fund turned into the Corona Arts Relief Program. About 140 professional artists applied for assistance in late March by submitting documentation. Evans, along with 48 others, was granted relief funds up to $600. Armstrong said due to the overwhelming response by artists in need, they are working towards awarding another round of applicants.
"We received a nice grant that will allow us to open up the second round," said Armstrong.
The next round of money will come after a telethon hosted by Texas Public Radio on May 9. The event will be hosted live at The Lonesome Rose and feature special performances and appearances throughout the event. They'll also show pre-recorded videos of San Antonio's best in music, art, dance and culture.
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"It will be a 12-hour telethon of the arts that will benefit the [Corona Arts Relief Program]," Armstrong said.
Evans loves the idea and hopes it will help others in need. Until then, she hopes her return to the theater will happen soon and that the public will join along.
"It's so important to have that for the community and to give the community art," she said.
For now, The Public Theater of San Antonio will stay closed. In a statement, CEO and Artistic Director George Green said:
The Public Theater of SA will not be re-opening via the plan announced by the governor. We will continue to monitor data as well as maneuver programming as we deem prudent.
The safety of every human that enters our doors is of the utmost importance. Until our community, collectively and collaboratively, feels it safe to gather… we will wait.
Like most nonprofit organizations across the nation, we are struggling while focusing on (ensuring) our future. Until then, we continue to find ways to connect with our artists and patrons.
We look forward to the day when we can all laugh, cry, and share stories in the theater. For more information about our programming and plans during this time visit http://www.thepublicsa.org.