April 24, 2020 1:00 pm
In order to keep all our loyal subscribers and patrons informed, I am writing to update you on the Clayton Center for the Arts schedule and events.
The Wailin’ Jennys performance scheduled for June 13 has been postponed. In working with their management, I am pleased to tell you we have rescheduled their performance for February 12, 2021. Hold onto your tickets as they will be honored for the re-scheduled show. If you have questions, please feel free to email the box office at boxoffice@claytonartscenter.com or call 865-981-8590. Both are monitored daily.
During this time of working remotely, we have remained busy with the business of bringing the arts to the community. I am finalizing details for our 10th Anniversary Season and we still hope to announce in June. Here are a few of the things we have been busy with while working remotely and social distancing:
1- Tech staff has been busy taking online classes with former Technical Director David Rasnake. They have also been doing routine maintenance in the theatre while maintaining safe distancing. This way all our systems are a go when we can get rolling once again.
2- Box Office Staff have been learning new features of the ticketing system in order to serve our patrons more efficiently.
3-We have offered Southern Circuit films online on Mondays during the month of April and provided readings from Ms. Amy of Appalachian Ballet Company as well as sharing virtual performances through social media. We are working with National Geogrpahic Live to offer virtual Facebook events.
4-We are working on a plan for opening again for arts programming when it is deemed safe to do so.
5- Corporate Sales and Events have been busy working with summer programming and camps and conferences to update our clients and reschedule as possible.
We are certainly working in a time of uncertainty and may be facing unique challenges for our industry as business’ begin to reopen. Most of our peers agree it may be a long road back to the way things were and many believe we will see a new “normal” in our industry. This might initially include smaller event sizes or limited ticket sales to allow for social distancing, multiple performances on the same day, and possibly even live streaming of performances for patrons who are part of at-risk populations. I have been pleased with all the creativity and willingness of artists, managers and other presenters to look beyond our traditional methods and create enhanced ways of participating in live arts. Whatever the method, we are committed to providing opportunities to engage our patrons in live arts. I look forward to the day we can all gather again to laugh, possibly cry, remember, applaud and cheer in celebration of the arts together.
As always, I want to convey my sincerest thanks to each of you for your patience and support during this time. We hope you and yours are, and will remain, safe and well until we can once again fulfill our mission to be the “Gathering Place for the Expression and Appreciation of the Arts”. This is merely Intermission and we will see you again.
Warmest Regards,
Blake Smith
March 19, 2020 8:45 am
Update from Clayton Center General Manager, Blake Smith
In the interest of keeping all of our loyal patrons informed, I am writing to update you on the impact to the Clayton Center for the Arts operation, schedule and events during the on-going Covid-19 outbreak.
After much deliberation with staff and Maryville College’s management team, and taking into account the recommendations of the CDC and local, state and federal government, we have decided to cancel or postpone all Clayton Center events through May 31.
This was not a decision made easily or lightly as it has enormous impact on the Center, as well as our various community partners, rental and event clients. However, the safety and well-being of staff, volunteers, performers, patrons and visitors is of paramount importance and is always a significant factor in our decision making process.
The Choir of Man performance scheduled for April 3 has been postponed. We are working with their management to reschedule to a future date. If you have tickets, hold onto them as they will be honored for the re-scheduled show. We will provide additional information once a new date is determined.
The Southern Circuit Tour film “Little Miss Westie” has been cancelled. We will be contacting those who have purchased tickets regarding refunds.
The Clayton Center art galleries, box office and administrative offices will be closed to the public going forward until such time as we determine normal operations should resume. Our staff will continue to work on future event planning during this time, and will be monitoring phone and email communications, responding as necessary.
We will formally announce the 10th Anniversary season line-up and send out information to our Subscribers and Patrons Circle members by early June, with links and information on each of next season’s performers. Our goal is to have the season on sale to the pubic by the end of June.
As always, I want to convey my sincerest thanks to each of you for your patience and support in both good times and less good times. We hope you and yours are, and will remain, safe and well until we can once again fulfill our mission to be be the “Gathering Place for the Expression and Appreciation of the Arts”.
Warmest regards,
Blake Smith
March 14, 2020 2:45 pm
MC Theatre presents Shrek- March 27-29 Cancelled
We apologize for any inconvenience this cancellation may cause, however the health and safety of our patrons, Actors, volunteers and staff is our primary concern. Ticket holders will be contacted by Clayton Center Box Office Staff by phone or email to arrange for ticket donation or refunds. We hope you will consider donating your tickets as a tax-deductible gift in support of Maryville College Fine Arts Theatre Department. If you have not been contacted within 10 days, please contact the Box Office at 865-981-8590.
We appreciate all of your support– and we hope to see you at future Maryville College Theatre productions.
March 13, 2020 3:45 pm
The Clayton Center for the Arts prioritizes the safety and well-being of our patrons, visiting artists, volunteers, students, faculty and staff; as well as our rental and partner organizations.
The Clayton Center works with various organizations on their events and is in continuous communication with them to determine how to proceed with their events in this uncertain time. Decisions on proceeding with or cancelling events will be made with input from the presenting organization, and the Clayton Center, while taking into consideration, guidance and recommendations from the CDC, Tennessee Department of Health and local and state government.
As the situation continues to evolve, we will inform our patrons and the community as quickly as possible of decisions regarding cancellation or postponement of performances and events at the Clayton Center, including Clayton Center events.
Please monitor the Clayton Center website and social media accounts regularly, as our response to the updated news regarding this virus will continue to develop as new information is released. Information will be posted here as it is received, and decisions made on cancellations or postponements.
Events to proceed as currently scheduled as of Friday, March 13, 2020, 4:00 p.m.
Choir of Man- April 3
Little Miss Westie- April 22
The Wailin’ Jennys – June 13
Appalachian Ballet’s Cinderella- March 13
Cancellation Policy
If circumstances necessitate cancellations, we hope you will consider donating your tickets as a tax-deductible gift in support of the Clayton Center if tickets held are for a Clayton Center event. When a cancellation has been deemed necessary for the safety and health of all involved, ticket holders will be contacted by Clayton Center Box Office Staff by phone or email to arrange for ticket donation or refunds. Options for refunds, postponement/rescheduling or donation of tickets will be determined on an event by event basis.
March 12, 2020
We are closely monitoring the outbreak of COVID-19 and wanted to provide information on our efforts. The health, safety and well-being of our patrons, visiting artists, volunteers, students, faculty and employees are of paramount importance.
Maryville College’s Crisis Management Team includes the Clayton Center for the Arts General Manager and is meeting frequently to continually monitor and efficiently respond to situations resulting from this virus. The team has an outbreak control plan that will be put in place when circumstances warrant it. The College’s plans remain fluid in response to consistently evolving information. There is a multi-phased plan in place, which includes sharing information with the Clayton Center community as circumstances change and decisions are made.
Since the beginning of the outbreak, the Clayton Center has taken measures that include:
- Increased focus on sanitizing surfaces in common areas, heavily used doors, elevators, handrails, etc., by the College’s housekeeping staff. (However, this will not be a substitute for good personal hand hygiene practices.)
- The addition of signage in all buildings that explains COVID-19 and reminds people of good personal hygiene habits.
While we will make every effort to continue operations, we cannot predict the spread or severity of COVID-19 in our area nor the directives of authorities as these are changing very quickly. However, if you have tickets for a performance at the Clayton Center and are feeling ill (experiencing symptoms like a fever, cough, or shortness of breath), please do not attend the performance and, instead, contact the Box Office at 865-981-8590 or boxoffice@claytonartscenter.com so we may assist you.
We will be updating information as it is available.
To stay informed on the latest reports you may find information by visiting the websites of the CDC, World Health Organization and the U.S. State Department
