Update on the 2020-21 Season
August 2020
Dear Friends,
There are many kinds of loss associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the most tragic being self-evidently the loss of life and the suffering associated with that loss on the part of families and loved ones. And as our country reckons with the pervasive injustices and harm associated with racism, discrimination, and hatred, many such losses are being intensified and amplified.
There are other forms of pandemic-related loss as well, and I write now to inform you of the difficult decision we have made to cancel all public, in-person performances at Krannert Center that were planned for this fall. A decision about spring performances will be made in late fall, and tickets for spring performances will not be placed on sale until after that decision is made.
The pandemic has created unique challenges for the performing arts field and has forced an increasing number of such cancellations across the country in recent months. Our decision was made in close consultation with the School of Music including Lyric Theatre @ Illinois, the Departments of Theatre and Dance, our professional artist and artist-manager partners, and other colleagues nationally and locally. It is not a decision any of us wanted to make, but it clearly needed to be made in the best interests of all parties.
While we will sorely miss gathering in our theatres and other spaces this fall to share in the spirit-lifting and life-affirming experience of live performance, we remain mission-focused and will be inviting you to stay connected with us virtually for special events during this time, and we look forward to informing you of those opportunities in the weeks and months ahead. Our theatres and other spaces will be used this fall for instruction by the School of Music and the Departments of Theatre and Dance to help provide the additional space and time required by the need for physical distancing and limitations on the size of gatherings in accordance with campus guidelines and Phase 4 of the state’s reopening plan. And our staff will continue to play a vital role daily in the education of university students and engagement with our community, both on campus and throughout the region.
As you know, normally by this time of year we would have already announced the upcoming season’s lineup of performances and begun the process of placing tickets on sale. Each season at Krannert Center is the result of more than two years of planning and effort, and even though we are canceling the fall performances, we want to honor that work and the artists who had committed themselves to sharing their gifts with us by providing you with the 2020-21 season lineup. If you have questions, you might find our frequently asked questions document useful, or you are welcome to contact the Krannert Center Ticket Office at 217.333.6280 or kran-tix [at] illinois.edu.
Your past support has enabled Krannert Center to be the special place it is, and I hope you will continue your support now to help us stay intact and strong as we weather the many challenges posed by the pandemic and stand ready to gather again on the other side.
With deep gratitude and warm wishes for your health and well-being,
Mike Ross
Krannert Center Director