In partnership with the Yale School of Public Health, Shoreline Arts Alliance (SAA) developed "Reopening Connecticut Arts Venues: Science-Based Safety," a program designed to support the arts during the COVID pandemic. This initiative provided guidance through online webinars, on-site visits, and the distribution of free masks and reduced cost testing kits for arts organizations and artists. SAA’s mission was to alleviate the overwhelming burden of COVID on the arts community.
At Shoreline Arts Alliance’s recent Halloween fundraiser, a woman approached Eric Dillner, the CEO, and shared her powerful story. She revealed that she had nearly lost her life during the COVID pandemic, but thanks to Shoreline Arts Alliance, her life took a positive turn. Her words deeply resonated with Eric, reinforcing his belief that the arts can unite a community and uplift one another. Here is her story.
COVID not only took a toll on live theater but also on Sue McCann. For over nine years, Sue has served as the Box Office manager at the Ivoryton Playhouse, an intimate theater in Ivoryton, CT, where the staff and performers feel like family.
Driving home after seeing a show in March 2020, Sue McCann received the unimaginable news that Broadway was closing its doors. The COVID dominoes began to fall. The Ivoryton Playhouse quickly canceled its first show, holding onto a glimmer of hope that they would soon reopen. Unfortunately, COVID didn’t ease up over the summer, and Sue found herself making hundreds of difficult phone calls to cancel season subscriptions. That was just the beginning of her battle.
By Thanksgiving, Sue was hospitalized with COVID, fighting for her life. Soon after, her parents were also hospitalized. “One by one, the ambulance came for each of us,” Sue recalled. “My brother and my daughter…got the call from the doctor to say, ‘We just don’t think any of them are going to make it.””
Against all odds, Sue and her parents survived, but it was a challenging journey—Sue spent a month on a ventilator.
On Christmas Day, Sue was still recovering in the hospital rehab unit, learning the challenging task of walking again. With no visitors allowed, her recovery felt isolated and lonely. However, through her hospital window, she was delighted to see Jacqui Hubbard, the Executive Director of Ivoryton Playhouse, joyfully waving at her. Jacqui also left gifts and goodies at the front door, bringing a touch of Christmas cheer. The support from her Ivoryton Playhouse family helped her through this tough time.
But how would she return to work in a theater where greeting guests in close quarters was her job? “This is a people job,” Susan remarked. At that time, vaccines were not yet available, and museums, theaters, and galleries received little guidance on how to safely reopen. This is where Shoreline Arts Alliance and the Yale School of Public Health stepped in with their "Reopening CT Arts Venues: Science-Based Safety" program. They provided crucial guidance for arts organizations, venues, staff, and boards on how to reopen through the lens of public health.
“Just knowing that Shoreline Arts Alliance had put all of these great practices into place,...and that everyone at the Playhouse took everything so seriously: Krista May, Jacqui Hubbard, (and Senator) Norm Needleman. Steve Phelan served as the Ivoryton Playhouse COVID officer, working closely with SAA and Yale to ensure a safe reopening. This support reassured Sue that she could safely resume her job, knowing there would still be a place for her to return. She could once again welcome guests to the theater.
Sue’s story reminds us to recognize the importance and healing power of the arts. This isn’t just a cliché; it’s a testament to the vitality and strength the arts bring to our communities. Think of that uplifting feeling you experience after attending a show or visiting a gallery exhibit—you feel elated and inspired. As Pablo Picasso said, “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”
By collaborating with organizations beyond the arts, such as the Yale School of Public Health, we as a community can ensure a brighter future. Together, we can make sure that the show WILL go on.
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