Online Telethon To Help DC Area Theaters Affected By Coronavirus

RESTON, VA — The Reston Community Players is spearheading a fund-raising event to help raise money for community theater companies across the Washington, D.C. area that have been adversely impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

More than a dozen community theater groups from the greater D.C. region will be taking part in Community Theatre Thrives, a live-streamed telethon. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m., on July 17, on https://theatrethrives.org and on YouTube, and will continue all day on July 18. Donations can be made online or by phone at 833-615-0922.

“Theatre companies throughout our area have been hit hard by the pandemic, with some companies having to cancel productions mere hours before opening night,” said Jolene Vettese, president of Reston Community Players, in a release. “These companies operate with the time and talents of thousands of volunteers to produce hundreds of high-quality shows each year. We thought a live streamed telethon would be a wonderful way to be able to come together virtually, share the talent of the region and help ensure that community theatre continues to thrive in the capital region for years to come. We need theatre in our communities, and right now, community theatre needs us.”

Companies participating in Community Theatre Thrives include:

● Annapolis Summer Garden Theatre – Annapolis, Maryland

● The Arlington Players – Arlington, Virginia

● The City of Fairfax Theatre Company – Fairfax, Virginia

● The Colonial Players of Annapolis – Annapolis, Maryland

● The Hard Bargain Players – Accokeek, Maryland

● Kensington Arts Theatre – Kensington, Maryland

● Laurel Mill Playhouse – Laurel, Maryland

● Prince William Little Theatre – Manassas, VA

● Reston Community Players – Reston, Virginia

● Rockville Little Theatre – Rockville, Maryland

● Sterling Playmakers – Sterling, Virginia

● Silver Spring Stage – Silver Spring, Maryland

● Victorian Lyric Opera Company – Rockville, Maryland