8 Tens Drops Live Shows, Offers Streaming

COMMUNITY NEWS

8 Tens Drops Live Shows, Offers Streaming

After two years of being dark, Santa Cruz County Actors’ Theatre has opted out of live performances for the famed 8 Tens @ 8 Short Play Festival Jan. 14-Feb. 6. The fast spread of the COVID-19 variant Omicron has made taking precautions priority.

“Actors’ Theatre has worked so incredibly hard to get to the point of finally opening,“ said Executive Artistic Director Andrew Ceglio. “But with the Omicron data, and if things continue on their present course, our run of the 8 Tens would fall right at the peak of this current Covid surge.”

After long discussions with Board President Wilma Marcus Chandler, the decision was made to cancel the live performances.

“I did not enjoy making this decision,” Ceglio said. “But I feel this is the only way to ensure that we keep everybody safe. I know that many theater companies are remaining open and canceling performances or runs only if there is an outbreak or somebody tests positive. That is fine for them, and I respect the freedom of their choice. However, my top priority is the safety and health of every single person giving their time to this organization and to the public.”

The plus side to the unexpected cancellation is that Actors’ Theatre had already planned to make a professional film of the Festival this year. A three-camera shoot is scheduled the week of Jan. 10 with an expected release date in February as an ondemand offering.

“This is the way of the future,” said Marketing Director Jana Marcus. “At Actors’ Theatre we are so fortunate to produce original content that is not beholden to large licensing houses — who have not yet caught up with the demand for streaming performance rights.”

With the On-Demand platform, Actors’ Theatre will be able to reach a wider audience with what is now the longest running short play festival in America.

Ticket-holders of the canceled sold-out run of the 8 Tens Festival will have options. Actors’ Theatre will be contacting patrons shortly with options of either a refund or to seamlessly move their purchase to the on-demand platform to view the film in February.

Season subscriptions for the fourshow 2021 season are still available with the 8 Tens as a streaming option. n •••

Visit www.santacruzactorstheatre.org for refund and streaming options. Send email inquiries to: ATboxofficetickets@gmail.com

Tickets: Season subscriptions, including the On-Demand film of the 8 Tens, are available at: www.santacruzactorstheatre.org/tickets

Maternity care born from humankindness.

Your journey to motherhood is a precious time. That’s why Dignity Health – Dominican Hospital’s Family Birth Center is here to support your big day with a customized birthing experience focused on you. From live virtual classes and birth center tours, to our midwifery program and Level III NICU, Dominican Hospital offers the highest level of care in the Monterey Bay area. See for yourself how we’re safely delivering humankindness at DignityHealth.org/DominicanBirthCenter.