THE QUEENS
FEBRUARY 2021
QNS/File
Inside Queens Theatre’s transition to virtual programming
BY CONNOR WALTER
editorial@qns.com
@QNS
Th e Queens Th eatre in Flushing
Meadows Corona Park has been hard at
work adapting to the unfamiliar order of
performing virtually since COVID-19.
Since 1964, the theater has been serving
the community as a place of performing
arts activities. Th eir mission is to present
programs that refl ect the diversity and
culture of artists. Since the COVID-19
pandemic arrived, Queens Th eatre has
pivoted, instead showcasing those programs
over Zoom.
Staff has been working to fi nd new ways
to bring their performances to audiences
and Queens Th eatre Executive Director
Taryn Sacramone believes the theater has
outperformed itself in adjusting to the
new normal.
“Since we closed our doors in March
due to COVID-19, we have worked to
connect with audiences by off ering original
programming online that is as compelling,
diverse, community-focused and
accessible as the work that we put on our
stages,” Sacramone said. “In the process,
we’ve shown that Queens Th eatre is more
than a building. We’re proud and excited
for the stories we’ll be telling this year, and
anticipate announcing additional events
throughout the season.”
Regarding the sudden switch to digital
programming last March, Dominic
D’Andrea, Queens Th eatre’s director of
community engagement, believes that the
at-home programming attracted more
individuals to engage with the theater.
“We transitioned to digital programming
within the fi rst week of the pandemic,
starting with me leading digital
community story circles, where anyone
from the community could come on
a Zoom and share how they were feeling
and stay connected,” D’Andrea said.
“From there we built out an entire arm
of programming called Queens Th eatre
at Home, which has produced more than
250 unique digital programs.”
Before the COVID-19 pandemic
hit, Queens Th eatre opened the show
“Chicken and Biscuits,” a play about
an African-American family that deals
with the loss of their father. Even though
“Chicken and Biscuits” transitioned to a
virtual production, it was a big success for
the theater.
“It really depends on timing and the
specifi c programming, but we usually
range between 20 to 100 for any given
live event, and countless more for our
archives on the QT Youtube channel,”
D’Andrea said.
Th e theater recently announced its newest
show, “Invisible,” which will be a collaboration
with actor Douglas Lyons.
“Invisible,” which tells the story of two
best friends who encounter hallucinations
aft er decompressing over a laced blunt,
will be part of the theater’s Th e Fly on the
Wall series.
Queens Theatre partnered with
IAMA Th eatre Company and Savannah
Repertory Th eatre to develop the Th e Fly
on the Wall series. Th e show will begin
Feb. 13 and can be seen throughout 2021.
“Coronavirus has redefi ned theater as
we know it. Th ough our stages may be
shut down, our new stories can continue
development,” Lyons said.
As New York City continues to vaccinate
its residents, Queens Th eatre is set
to return to in-person programming by
off ering weekday drama classes for public
school kids. Th e classes will take place
during the week of Feb. 15, which marks
winter break for New York City schools.
Students will learn from directors and
musical directors and select a wordless
graphic novel to present on stage. Th e
classes will be held while maintaining all
state and CDC guidelines.
While the in-person classes mark
the beginning of a return to normalcy,
Queens Th eatre will continue to host performances
on a digital platform for audiences
to stream from home as the city
continues its battle against COVID-19.
Until the theater can reopen, D’Andrea
says that the theater will continue online
programming because the arts are a vital
part of coping during this time.
“It’s important because our options are
to make work and stay connected to
our community in digital spaces, or not
make work at all. We look at it more as an
opportunity to grow and stretch in new
ways,” D’Andrea said.
For more information about Queens
Th eatre, visit queenstheatre.org.
‘More than a
building’
link
/queenstheatre.org
link
