She has a Plan and She will Survive
By James Maiden
The last few months have been a struggle for all of us. Many of Kansas City’s arts organizations, including the Folly Theater, have been hit hard by the restrictions imposed by this dangerous pandemic. We are all fighting though. Along with several other local performing arts organizations, the Folly staff and board are keeping a close eye on the pandemic and crafting a plan to reopen safely and bring light back to the arts.
The Grand Lady of Twelfth Street has a Plan
In March of 2020, the Folly Theater decided to postpone all shows through May given the expanding effects of the dangerous COVID-19 pandemic. May turned to June and June has pushed into, now, October. During this time the team at the Folly has been doing their research. The Folly’s Executive Director, Gale Tallis, has been in constant webinars and meetings with city & arts leaders in Kansas city and throughout the country learning and sharing how to navigate the pandemic and reopening of the theater.
The Folly has pulled together a fluid plan which will allow them to adjust as restrictions change due to the ever-evolving nature of the pandemic. The Folly has set in place dozens of precautions, both in the front of the house and behind the scenes in an effort to protect the patrons, volunteers, artists, and staff. Some of these currently include:
Touchless ticketing
Masks required for all individuals over the age of 2
Social distancing will be enforced and reminded through clear decals and suggested traffic flows
Socially distanced seating in the theater and reduced theater capacity
Digital programs for the Folly Jazz concerts (no physical copies)
No concessions at this time
Hand sanitizers stations placed around lobby
Additional pre- & post-concert cleaning measures will be taken by a professional cleaning crew
New HVAC filters have been installed
There are several activities going on in the background to hopefully provide their patrons not only a safe & healthy experience, but a smooth experience as well. You can find more updates on what the Folly Theater is doing by visiting FollyTheater.org/Coronavirus
So, you are probably wondering... “How can I help the Grand Lady reopen?” Well the easiest way is to slap some #FollyLove on your face!
#FollyLove Masks
In mid-July the Folly team was very excited to unveil their #FollyLove face masks! These super-soft, cotton masks feature a little kiss of Folly love on the cheek so you can show off your support while keeping yourself and others safe.
Get your mask today with your donation of only $6 each by visiting FollyTheater.org or by calling 816-842-5500!
Make sure that you take a selfie showing off your #FollyLove and tag us in it.
*Wearing a face mask helps reduce the likelihood of you spreading COVID-19 to others. However, a face mask is not a replacement for medical-grade Personal Protective Equipment and does not protect you from breathing in the virus. Face masks are not intended to replace other recommended measures to stop community spread of COVID-19, such as social distancing, washing your hands, and refraining from touching your face. Follow the latest advice of the CDC and your own health care professionals as to how best to keep yourself as safe as possible.
Show Updates:
Over the last few weeks, the Folly has stayed in constant communication with its rental clients and jazz artists. As we examine the landscape and safety of bringing artists to our stage, we have rescheduled a couple of concerts.
John Pizzarelli Trio for Centennial Reasons: 100 Year Tribute to Nat King Cole
NEW DATE: Saturday, February 13th, 2021 at 8 PM
The Folly + 90.9 The Bridge Americana Concert Series presents
The Sam Baker Trio
NEW DATE: Saturday, May 22nd at 8 PM
P.S. - Individual tickets to the Folly Theater Jazz Series concerts are available now! Grab your tickets at FollyTheater.org. The first Folly Jazz concert will be with Karrin Allyson on October 17th, followed by David Benoit on December 12th.
The Folly Theater Jazz Series & Americana Concert series are made possible in part to our amazing sponsors
