Michigan Shakespeare Festival Cancels 2020 Season

(April 23, 2020  3:50 PM) The Michigan Shakespeare Festival has canceled its 2020 season.  Janice L Blixt, Producing Artistic Director, said a wide variety of factors went into this decision. “For one, our artist housing at Jackson College is, rightly, currently occupied by the medical staff and first responders for the hospital. We have never been more proud of our partnership with the college than we are now.” said Blixt.  The Festival had been scheduled for mid July through early August at Potter Center, Jackson College and the Village Theatre in Canton.  This would have been the 26th season of the Festival.

According to Blixt, the main factor is the health and safety of artists and their audiences.   In a message to supporters, Blixt said, “Part of the joy of theatre is that it is a community experience, a shared breath, four hundred hearts thrilling, four hundred voices laughing. But this moment, as happened during Shakespeare’s day, that very community experience is an invitation to this virus. To offer shows now would be irresponsible, and we would never put you at risk.”  

Those who have already purchased tickets for the upcoming season are being given the option of turning advance ticket purchases into donations. Blixt says donations will go towards payroll, office rent, and expenses.

Advance ticket purchases can also be rolled over to the 2021 season.  The Festival will be producing Henry V, directed by Janice L Blixt, and The Merry Wives of Windsor directed by Robert Kauzlaric, along with a third classical show.  The Festival will contact all those who have purchased tickets.

Blixt says they will be continuing  “MSF Unplugg’d: Artists in their own Residences” series and some projects to offer as entertainment this summer and into the fall.