The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Fine Arts Association discusses the future
Like all performing arts centers, the Fine Arts Association in Willoughby has not been immune to the coronavirus.
Like all performing arts centers, the Fine Arts Association in Willoughby has not been immune to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Significant disruptions to the usual way of doing things have occurred, as well as cancellations of major events.
“Our Spring Musical was to be ‘Chicago’ by Kander and Ebb,” said David Malinowski, the Roger and Anne Clapp Chair of Performing Arts. “We were able to make it through the audition and callback process, but as the pandemic wore on it became clear that we would not be able to mount the production as scheduled.”
While “Chicago” is officially postponed instead of completely cancelled, like so many other events it is unclear when, or how, it can resume.
“There are so many variables that come into play while considering a given production and how it works within an entire season of shows that we are considering many different contingency plans as they apply to ‘Chicago,’” Malinowski said. “We have wanted to produce this show for quite a while, and we were fortunate to have assembled an extremely talented cast. “We will put on ‘Chicago’ at some point, but specific dates have not been decided.
“We are closely monitoring the industry guidelines and trying to ensure the safety of our patrons, performers, staff, and volunteers as best we can.”
Guidelines in the performing arts industry have been hard to come by, and the organization has had to adapt to the uncertainty in their other programming.
“As an organization, we did have to think more creatively and work differently,” said Alyssa Lombardi, manager of marketing and communications. “While there were trialing times and a lot of hard work in order to adapt our programs to an online approach quickly, it has made our team stronger.
“It is unfortunate that we are not able to have performances at this time,” she added. “We are pleased with the participation from both businesses and individuals to help FAA continue to provide enriching arts programs and services.”
Malinowski said that theater is about both the performers and the audience, and that the need to keep both those entities safe and healthy are paramount to the art form.
“We are planning for future seasons so that when the severity of the current situation begins to lessen and it becomes safe for us to return to the stage, we will be ready with a wellthought-out plan to return to producing the theatrical work our performance department is known for,” he said.
“Flexibility is an even greater priority now,” Lombardi added. “As mentioned, thinking creatively and differently is how our planning has been. The best we can do is the best we can do and our team strives for that daily, even in uncertain times.
“Focusing on the areas we are able to control, expand on, and engage with help with planning for the later details down the road that are unknown now.” Some programming they have managed to schedule include an outdoor Summer Cabaret at FAA on July 25 and an online fundraising auction that is going on until July 17.
“Our students and families have been very supportive in the changes we have had to make due to the building closure,” Lombardi said. “Of course, they want to be back in the building as much as we do, but for now, we all continue to make the arts a part of our lives, just in different ways. From picking up supplies to downloading video chat apps, we are thankful that our students and their families are open to the change.
“The impact of our closure has made us look even deeper into the various pathways our students can take both at FAA and beyond our walls.”
In addition to creative adjustments, the FAA has had to make financial adjustments as well.
“We have really had to trim our budget and invest in measures that help keep everyone safe,” CEO Paul Holm said. “We have really had to trim our budget and invest in measures that help keep everyone safe. “The pandemic has helped become laser focused on how we can deliver the best programming possible with the fewest resources.”
Despite the challenges, Holm says that the FAA has weathered the storm pretty well so far.
“We are so fortunate to have entered this time after we began our strategic planning efforts,” he said. “It has equipped us for this challenge. We continue to increase agility in our business to be rapidly responsive while looking for new partnerships and new ways to engage the community.
“We aren’t sitting still but instead leaning forward pondering how we can leverage this time of challenge to propel FAA well into the future.”
Despite the creativity and “show must go on” attitude, Malinowski indicates he has no illusions about what is truly missed the most by artists and audiences during this period of national trial.
“We go to the theater to commune with the actors on stage, to be in the presence of artists creating in that moment,” he said. “That is something that will never be able to be replicated virtually.”