F M Kirby Center For Thr Perform Ing Arts

PERFORMING ARTS CENTER.

PRESENTER IN THE "SEVEN THEATER ARTS": MUSIC, SYMPHONY, BROADWAY MUSICALS, THEATER, OPERA, MOVIES, AND BALLET. ALSO, MEETINGS, LECTURES, EXHIBITIONS, AND CONVENTIONS ARE CONDUCTED.OUR STAGE MAY HAVE BEEN DARK, BUT GREAT WORK WAS DONE BY THE STAFF AT THE F.M. KIRBY CENTER AND WE ARE EQUALLY AS PROUD TO SHARE THAT UPDATE WITH YOU. CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O.THE F.M. KIRBY CENTER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN SEVEN EMPLOYEES DURING THE SHUTDOWN. REPRESENTATIVES FROM THE PROGRAMMING, BOX OFFICE, FINANCE AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS WORKED TOGETHER TO ENSURE PERFORMANCES WERE APPROPRIATELY CANCELED OR RESCHEDULED, CUSTOMERS WERE REFUNDED, AND REVENUE CONTINUED TO COME IN. THAT REVENUE WAS GAINED THROUGH VARIOUS FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES SUCH AS COMMUNITY AND FOUNDATION SUPPORT, AS WELL AS PROGRAMS THROUGH THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION. THE PROGRAMMING AND DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENTS WORKED TIRELESSLY TO REMAIN RELEVANT DURING A TIME WHEN WE COULDN'T DO WHAT WE DO BEST AND WHAT WE LOVE. THE ONLY ALTERNATIVE FOR THE F.M. KIRBY CENTER WAS TO GO VIRTUAL AND THE PERFECT BENEFACTORS WERE THE CHILDREN IN OUR COMMUNITY. OUR YOUNG PEOPLE'S THEATER SERIES (YPTS) TYPICALLY HOLDS FIVE STAGE PERFORMANCES ANNUALLY FOR LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS. WE WERE ABLE TO OFFER THOSE PERFORMANCES VIRTUALLY, BRINGING THEM INTO CLASSROOMS AND HOMES WHILE STILL INCORPORATING THE THEME OF THE SHOW INTO STUDENT'S DAILY CURRICULUM. ALTHOUGH WE COULDN'T TRACK JUST HOW MANY CHILDREN VIEWED THE PERFORMANCES, SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT OUR AREA AND BEYOND CONTACTED US WITH PRAISE AND THANKS, EXPRESSING THAT THE CHILDREN FINALLY FELT A SENSE OF NORMALCY AND EXCITEMENT ON THE DAYS OF THE PERFORMANCES. THE SILVER LINING OF THE VIRTUAL OPTION WAS THAT WE WERE ABLE TO ENTERTAIN AND EDUCATE CHILDREN IN A LARGER GEOGRAPHICAL AREA AND ELIMINATED A WAITING LIST WHEN RESERVATIONS WERE AT CAPACITY FOR A LIVE SHOW. ON THE VERY LAST DAY OF OUR FISCAL YEAR, THE F.M. KIRBY CENTER WAS FORTUNATE TO BE AN AWARDEE OF THE SHUTTERED VENUE OPERATORS GRANT (SVOG), WHICH QUITE LITERALLY HELPED US TURN OUR LIGHTS BACK ON AND WELCOME THOUSANDS OF ATTENDEES IN THE SAFEST WAY POSSIBLE. THOSE FUNDS ASSISTED IN THE PURCHASE AND INSTALLATION OF AN AIR FILTRATION SYSTEM DESIGNED TO REDUCE AIR POLLUTANTS, MOLD, BACTERIA AND VIRUSES, AS WELL AS THE PURCHASE OF PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT AND HAND SANITIZING STATIONS FOR SHOWGOERS.THOSE FUNDS, ALONG WITH THE SUPPLEMENTAL GRANT OFFERED THROUGH THE SBA, HAVE BROUGHT US BACK TO LIFE AND HAVE BROUGHT LIFE BACK TO DOWNTOWN WILKES-BARRE. IT WAS AN UPHILL CLIMB TO GET HERE, BUT WE ARE STILL HERE AND THE LIGHTS OF OUR MARQUEE ARE SHINING BRIGHTER THAN EVER.