MILL VALLEY, CALIF.: Marin Theatre Company (MTC) has announced the cancellation of all remaining performances for their 2019-20 season after the Bay Area saw its shelter-at-home order extended through May 3. Due to these cancellations, MTC has also laid off around 50 percent of the staff as the company looks to remain financially intact through this crisis.

“We did not come to this decision lightly,” said artistic director Jasson Minadakis in a statement. “It took us some time because we wanted to make sure we had as much information as possible. Rather than moving these shows around or deeper into the summer, we decided that we will cancel the remaining performances, and we will be focusing on ways to move forward over the summer. We’re hoping to bring much of our company back when we start performances again.”

The canceled productions are Jordan Tannahill’s Botticelli in the Fire, which was scheduled to run April 23-May 17, and Antoinette Nwandu’s Pass Over, originally scheduled June 18-July 12. All performances have been canceled, and MTC is following up with current ticket holders to detail their options, including the option to donate the value of the ticket back to the organization.

“We will be going dark physically, in our space, until the fall,” said Minadakis in his statement. “During this time, we hope our community will stay with us. We will certainly be finding new ways to bring audiences content. We’re going to leave our ghost light on as a symbol of hope that we will be back in this space, soon, hearing new plays from new American voices; plays that will help us get through this time, and help us build a stronger community when we’re back together.”