How to vote today – by 7pm

Dear 25th Year HST Parents,
Not everyone was able to be on the Zoom meeting last night so I am going to sum up what I am asking parents to vote for and why it is not an anonymous vote.
How to vote: Just send an email with as much info or as little info as you want to share. I value everyone’s thoughts and wise counsel. The key information I need to know is:
Does your family feel they need to “bow out” at this point. *There will be no judgement for this decision. Every family has different comfort levels and different health issues. Also, the names of who bowed out will never be made public – it is a private, prayerful decision that I want every family should have complete freedom to make.*
Does your family feel comfortable moving forward with filming if we can legally do so? *We need to have gatherings of 50 to film. This is less likely now for troupes & Showcase because Montgomery County is not part of phase 1 re-opening. However, it may be true by the dates we have scheduled for Theatricals.*
You can also vote that you are comfortable if we can film at the theater but are not comfortable if we have to film off-location (which has the added layer of pre-recording singing).
It is also possible to vote that you are comfortable doing dances and Acting scenes for Showcase, but not choirs – or would like to decide about choirs after we have more information concerning how we would film them.
Why is this vote not anonymous? The short answer is that it is not just a numbers game. The directors carry the burden for “pulling off” these shows and filming is not what they signed on for. They have all agreed to do whatever they possibly can (they really do love your children) but they have to be able to decide if they can fill the “holes” that are created if some characters bow out.
Will my decision impact how my student is perceived by the directors? NO. These are extraordinary times and HST will pay all teachers/directors what would have been their full-year’s pay. We budget for teacher’s pay from tuition and tuition was collected in full, so teachers will be paid in full. However, no director/teacher has voiced concern about pay. They simply want to salvage this year as best they can for the sake of your students. They completely understand the health concerns. There will be no judgement for your family, just as you would not judge them if they bowed out due to health concerns.
Lastly, for those not in the Zoom meeting, I am committed to finding some means of closure for students and parents if we are not able to film shows. As a minimum we will make an audio recording of a line-read through for every show. * I am assuming parents would support this since it can done in the safety of your home.* This project is mostly for parent closure because there is value in hearing your children tell the story with words (not sure if it can include songs – will continue to research). I will also see if there is interest in having a photo-shoot for students at the Glenview Mansion where parents could video tape their student in costume singing – or dancing – or doing dialogue with another character in costume. (Tthis would not be anything formal – just a fun time for those interested in seeing friends and getting pictures.) These photo shoots would be offered for Acting, Troupe, and Theatricals (not dance or choirs). These shoots would be on weekday evenings at the end of July.
Please know that I continue to pray for each of you as you prayerfully discern what is best for your family. Blessings, Marilyn

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