Dear Editor, 

Right now is an unprecedented time for our theater community. COVID-19 has caused a great deal of change, and we are all facing a tremendous amount of uncertainty.

The Nederland MSHS Theater Department does not receive money from the school or the district. We are funded through ticket sales and donations. In March of 2020 the Nederland MSHS Theater was forced to stop production of the Spring Musical and we were unable to sell tickets or perform which meant that we lost the money we spent on the set, costumes, royalties, props, etc.

In the Fall (for HS) and the Spring (for ML) we were forced to perform virtually for no ticket cost. The HS Theater students were able to perform a musical in the Spring of 2021, but we could only have 3 performances and we could only perform in front of an audience of 50.

This year we are planning on Fall One Act Plays. We are uncertain if we can perform these in person and charge a ticket fee.

Our students are planning to attend the Colorado State Thespian Conference in December. Because of the BVSD District Covid Policy, only 2 students are allowed to stay in a hotel room rather than 4, which doubles the cost of the hotel bill. I don’t want to charge double the fee for our students to attend the conference that they have been unable to attend in person since 2019. We need to come up with $2500.00 to pay what the students cannot pay.

In November, we will be paying royalties for the spring and we are unable to do that. Royalties are usually $2500.00 and sets, costumes, props, make-up, etc are all added costs.

We are coming to you now to ask for your support in the form of donations. If you feel moved to help our amazing theater program, or if you know of someone who could help, or a business who could help with donations or matched funds, please consider sending a donation to:

Nederland MSHS Theater Department 

Attention: Elizabeth Evans 

597 Eldora Rd. 

Nederland, CO 80466 

We would be so happy to send a thank you and a formal acknowledgement letter to claim a tax exemption.

This too shall pass, and as always, thank you for supporting live theater in Nederland. We look forward to seeing you again in the Nederland MSHS Auditorium.

Elizabeth J. Evans,

Director