Shubert Serves Community During COVID Intermission
Theater company adapts, survives and gives back.
The Shubert Theatre’s curtain is finally up, after a COVID-induced intermission, for a season of musical theater, dance and performing arts. Although the stage was silent, the company remained busy helping the community recover from the pandemic, engaging local youth with the arts, and diversifying its board and leadership.
The Connecticut Association for the Performing Arts (CAPA), the nonprofit that runs the Shubert, survived despite massive revenue losses through a combination of government and philanthropic support, according to a recent grant report to The Community Foundation. Aid included a federal PPP loan, state funding through the Coronavirus Relief Fund and other grants and donations, including a general operating support grant from The Community Foundation. The Community Foundation also manages the theater’s organization endowment as well as several funds with designated distributions for the Shubert.
While the stage was shuttered, the Shubert opened its doors in April 2021 to vaccination seekers, helping the community's fight against COVID. The theater also partnered with the New Haven Board of Alders in a food drive.
CAPA also hired a new Executive Director of the Shubert Theatre, Anthony McDonald, who brings a strong commitment to diversifying the programming and staff, and with engaging young people in the theater.
