The Ashland University Theatre Department’s production of  Antigone has been canceled after the cast and crew was exposed to COVID-19.

The showing of Antigone was supposed to run from Thursday, Nov. 3 until Sunday, Nov. 6 however, the show was cut short after Friday’s performance.

The cast and crew were able to get through Thursday and Friday’s performances, but an executive decision was made after those involved were exposed to COVID-19.

Teresa Durbin-Ames, artistic director of theatre at Ashland University, said that the decision made to cancel the remaining performances was extremely hard.

“This was a very difficult decision to make. It is very disappointing to have to do this,” said Durbin-Ames. “I was in CFA with the cast and crew before the Saturday 2 p.m. performance as the situation was discussed and options explored.  The option of all performers wearing masks was considered, but it was a concern for the health and safety of others that led to the decision.”

The students involved in the performance had to make their decision promptly, and look out for the health and safety of both themselves and others.

“Students were concerned about audience members in the small Studio Theatre where performers are very close to audience members and even sit in the audience during the performance,” said Durbin-Ames. “Students were concerned about one another. The show had never been rehearsed with masks and there were safety concerns for students who climb scaffolding and do fight choreography to do this masked without rehearsing it.  They put others first even though there were family members and loved ones who would not get to see them in the show.”

While the decision was extremely difficult to make, Dubin-Ames expressed that it had to be done.

Antigone was cast in early to mid-September, with preparation for the performances taking place for months. Those involved put in countless hours in order to make the performances as perfect as possible for the audience.

“Our production was important to me since we all had to work as a team in order to create the show we had today. Back in September, I remember the entire cast just sitting at a table and reading through the script out loud while throwing out ideas on what we could do in certain scenes for blocking, tech and even some jokes that cracked us up,” said cast member Tobin Grendzynski. “I was happy to be a part of the cast but being able to see everyone working together in order to create art that we were able to share with an audience, even if it was cut short, was wonderful.”

Grendzynski, upset by the cancellation, believes that this event will only make the cast’s bond stronger.

“This event will not bring down our cast. We banded together to create a show that resonated with our audiences. Even though we couldn’t do every show, we told the story we wanted to tell and we were able to have a good time doing it,” he said. “It really brought us down having to make that decision. I haven’t had to cancel a show due to Covid since the original outbreak happened in 2020 so it was a lot to handle. But we still were able to smile through the tears and make our situation brighter by just being there for each other.”

With the cancellation coming after two days of performances were already over, the AU Theatre Department will be issuing refunds to those who were unable to attend. The remaining shows saw two on Saturday and one on Sunday.

After the news was officially set in stone, the department released a press report about the events that occurred. A picture of the release can be found below.

While the information comes out of nowhere, the cast remains in high spirits.

“The play was important to all of us. When we were deciding on what to do, we were all disheartened, to say the least,” said Grendzynski.”Because of this, I think we all became closer as a cast, even if we didn’t realize it.”