Buffalo Theatre Ensemble Hits Pause on 2020-21 Season

Jun 1, 2020
Buffalo Theatre Ensemble

Buffalo Theatre Ensemble (BTE), the professional Equity company in residence at the McAninch Arts Center, has decided to take a pause on their 2020-2021 three-play season. The season was scheduled to open this September with Mat Smart's "Naperville," and include Stephen Karam's "The Humans" and Richard Bean's "One Man Two Guvnors," an English adaptation of "The Servant of Two Masters (Italian: Il servitore di due padroni)."

Per Artistic Director Connie Canaday Howard, "The Restore Illinois plan was issued just as we were announcing our 2020-2021 season. A close examination of the plan made it evident there would be significantly impact on the way we audition, design, rehearse, perform and stage as well as serious financial implications. BTE's dedicated Board of Trustees met to review and discuss all of this and with heavy hearts, decided that BTE will go on a temporary hiatus for this coming season, so we can return strongly in Fall '21."

The Box Office will be contacting those who have subscribed. Those who have paid by check will have the option to have their check returned or shredded, or converted to a donation at their request. The Box Office can be contacted at BTEorders@cod.edu or calling and leaving a message at 630.942.3008.

"We are deeply saddened, but believe this to be an understandable and responsible decision, and we are beginning to work on ways we can keep connected during this fall, winter and spring. We will share those as soon as they are more formulated. In the meantime, we encourage all to keep in touch via Facebook or BTEchicago.com," says Associate Artistic Director Amelia Barrett.

"We want to thank all our patrons and sponsors for their continued belief in BTE," says Canaday Howard. "Our spirit of great hope and determination, together with our continued commitment to producing outstanding theater, will continue to propel us forward and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to share our stories with a full season in Fall '21."