MCFF grant helps ensure future of community theater

The cast of the Hunchback of Notre Dam celebrates the “Festival of Fools” during dress rehearsal of the major Southwest Nebraska Community Theatre production cut short by the coronavirus pandemic.

Bruce Crosby/McCook Gazette

McCOOK, Neb. -- As the casting began in McCook last November for the Hunchback of Notre Dame musical, no one could have predicted that the production would eventually be cut short because of a world-wide pandemic.

But on March 15, Southwest Nebraska Community Theater Association made the difficult decision to cancel the production after just two performances.

Months of rehearsals suddenly become useless. Hundreds of community members didn’t get to see all those hours of hard work in action. And the local theater association suddenly found itself with an uncertain future because of debt from production costs.

With the future of SWNCTA at risk, the McCook Community Foundation Fund has granted $3,000 from its’ COVID-19 Response Account to help offset costs from lost revenue because performances were canceled.

The MCFF COVID-19 Response Account was established in March 2020 with a grant from MCFF, as well as donations from MNB Bank and Graff Charitable Foundation, along with donations since. The account was designed to meet immediate needs in the community because of the pandemic as well as address long-term needs. Funds are still available from the COVID Response Account if needed.

SWNCTA and the Hunchback musical are an example of a local entity deeply impacted by the coronavirus pandemic, through no fault of their own.

Practices began in early January with four nights a week dedicated to learning lines, perfecting songs and mastering choreography. And on March 14, the first performance featuring veteran performers as well as newcomers to SWNCTA took to the stage to perform the production based on the Victor Hugo book.

A second performance took place Sunday, March 15 but then SWCNTA was left with little choice but to cancel the final four performances.

The cancelation affected not only the current production, but also the future of SWNCTA. Admission income from the spring musical not only covers those costs, but also the fall dinner theater and the Missoula Children’s Theater each spring.

And all hope is not lost for those who have not seen the production. Fortunately, SWNCTA organizers had the foresight to tape the last showing and now have a CD created with footage from that performance.

At some point, SWNCTA would like to show the recorded version of the musical to the public but must meet a few criteria first, including determining royalty fees and creating a safe environment.

SWNCTA president Gene Weedin does not know when that public showing of the recording will happen but still holds out hope to provide a free showing for the community. “This would be great thank you from SWNCTA for all the years the public has supported our organization,” Weedin said.

But he stressed that they will wait until they can show the musical to as many people as possible in a safe and welcoming atmosphere.

“It was a great show and a great performance,” Weedin said. “And we want as many people to see it as possible, because it truly is a great musical with a dedicated and talented ensemble of performers and crew.”

MCFF continues to accept grant applications for the COVID-19 Response Account, which are available online at mccookfoundation.org. MCFF is an affiliated fund of the Nebraska Community Foundation.