BETHESDA, MD.: Round House Theatre has announced further changes to its 2020-21 season. To ensure the safety of its staff and patrons, the company will not produce live performances for the remainder of 2020.
Round House Theatre’s facilities, including the Bethesda theatre and education center in Silver Spring, Md., will be closed until further notice. Programming will continue online with the Round House at Your House series.
“Governor Hogan’s Roadmap to Recovery outlines a phased process for reopening Maryland,” said managing director Ed Zakreski in a statement. “As Round House falls into the final phase of that plan, it has become increasingly clear that we will be unable to launch our 2020-21 season this September as originally planned. While we are eager to return to live performances, we are working to make the best possible decisions to ensure the safety and health of our community. We are deeply grateful for everyone’s patience, flexibility, and understanding.”
The company’s digital offerings will include Homebound, an original web series that brings together D.C.-area theatre artists; Theatre Education Challenges, featuring at-home activities for three different age groups; Playwrights on Plays, a weekly online discussion series featuring Round House-affiliated artists; and Weekly Quarantini, a virtual series in which food and beverage manager Hudson Tang sits down every week to teach viewers how to make a delicious drink highlighting local products.
Adds artistic director Ryan Rilette in a statement, “Our performance plans are continuing to evolve, and we will keep in touch regularly as we better understand our timeline for reopening. Round House will continue to create new and exciting digital programming throughout the fall and winter—please stay tuned. In the meantime, we encourage you to explore our Round House at Your House online programming to stay engaged with Round House while we are unable to gather in person.”
Round House Theatre, founded in 1978, presents modern classics and musicals at its 400-seat theatre.
