Thank you so much for your patience as we all figure out what this change to our production schedule and our way of living will do to our life and future as a theatre department. As you all know, our primary goal has been to keep 9 to 5 alive. Through Zoom rehearsals, lip syncs, dance workouts, social media challenges, and more, our students have been amazing throughout this process. As you can imagine, a return to any theatre performances will be dependent upon directions from the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) and Los Angeles County Department of Health, as well as continuing guidance from state officials. As of their most recent update, the Safer at Home Order is still in place, and does not currently state an end date. Looking into an imminent future where we can rehearse, and mount a show, plus make sure we are safely considering physical distancing for both orchestra, cast, crew, staff, and audience members does not seem feasible for our given timeline. It is with a very, very heavy heart, that we officially decided to cancel 9 to 5. If you knew how many days I have agonized about this, and shed tears for the magic and gift that would have been our show, you would know how hard this decision was to make.

 

I have had the pleasure of directing 11 mainstage productions so far at RUHS, and 9 to 5 will always hold an extremely special place in our hearts. It spread messages of positivity, empowerment, friendship, and standing up for what you believe in. Not only was this our largest orchestra, cast & crew yet (123!), but we were also implementing many new technological designs and features that we were all so excited about. Theatre will persevere. We will be back, just as we have been since the Greeks and Romans because theatre and music is a shared, unique experience you can’t find anywhere else. We will find a way to celebrate 9 to 5, and give it the honor it deserves when it is safe to do so.

 

For any patron that may have purchased tickets for our production of 9 to 5, we would completely understand if you would like a refund for any of your 9 to 5 purchases as the production is cancelled. However, you can also choose to keep your donation in the Theatre Arts Boosters - and it will go a long way in helping to produce future productions at Redondo Union High School. As you know, each of our productions pays for the next, with no help from the district financially- so if we lose money on 9 to 5, we are being put in a massive hole to produce our productions next year. Many, many art institutions and production companies (especially high schools) are facing very real threats of "bankruptcy" since they are cancelling their spring productions, but have already put out the expenses towards production - much of which is nonrefundable.

 

If you would like to submit this as a general department donation, no further action is required, and it is greatly appreciated!

 

If you have an rising 10th-12th grader, you may also apply any ticket purchases as a credit for any future shows your student or a sibling may be part of. Or, if you know you will be attending future performances, you can also turn any ticket purchases into a credit good for any future RUHS Theatre Arts production. If you would like to request a reimbursement for your purchase- simply complete this google form no later than June 30th, and we will have a refund to you as soon as we can. https://forms.gle/Jc2XtSLd9n7DVZyY6

 

We hope you are doing well and staying safe, healthy, and positive. Please reach out, stay in touch, and continue to support our program through social media, and as we enter the upcoming school year! We can’t wait till we are all back together again soon. We wish you and your family the best.

 

Sincerely,

9 to 5

Production Update - 6/1/20