SANTA MARIA, Calif: Due to the current global crisis, Pacific Conservatory Theatre (PCPA) has announced the cancellation of its 2020 summer season in Santa Maria. Additionally, PCPA’s collaboration with Solvang TheatreFest—which has brought nearly 30,000 people to the Solvang Theatre annually and garnered $1 million in local economic activity beyond box office revenue—has also been canceled for this season.
“The team at PCPA has been working hard to arrive at a different conclusion,” said artistic director Mark Booher in a statement, “but our commitment to the health of the community and company members, together with the uncertainty about when our audience will be able to gather again at the theatre, made this deeply regrettable decision necessary.”
Around 100 theatre artists were slated to work on PCPA’s summer productions of The Sound of Music, Little Shop of Horrors, Something Rotten and A Doll’s House, Part 2.
“Although we’re saddened by the thought of a summer without the magic of PCPA for the first time in 46 years, we know that this is best for the safety of everyone including the actors, the production crew, and our wonderful patrons,“ said Chris Nielsen, board chair for the Solvang TheaterFest, in a statement. “Our partnership with PCPA will emerge from this challenging time stronger and more creative than ever as we count the days when we can once again gather under the stars of Solvang.”
Founded in 1965, PCPA is a professional conservatory theatre, committed to reflecting and transforming its diverse community with the art of live theatre.
