Save Our Stages Act
The Producers at Forestburgh Playhouse (August 2019)
Friends of the Forestburgh Playhouse and Tavern... It is time to take action. Support bi-partisan efforts to provide relief to independent theatres and music venues. The Save Our Stages Act and the Restart Act can save the venues you love, including the Playhouse. Keep music, theatre and live entertainment alive. Write to your Senators and Representatives today in support of this critical legislation!
COVID-19 and the Performing Arts
The performing arts have been dealt a terrible hand with the COVID-19 pandemic. When artists can’t perform for live audiences, the financial result is devastating. But patrons of the arts can help in other ways when attending performances is not an option. By supporting the Save Our Stages Act Bill and the Restart Act Bill, you are helping to give small businesses in the arts a chance to recover from the economic hardships of the pandemic.
All the World's a Stage
Who among us hasn’t been affected in some way by the arts, whether music, dance, or theatre? The arts help us feel our emotions more deeply and to experience feelings we’ve never felt before and may never otherwise understand. There is an unspoken connection formed between performers and audiences during a show that is very real. While attending live shows in person is not possible at this time, donations can help make live performances possible in the future.
Save Our Stages Act
The Save our Stages Act Bill is a proposed addition to the Heroes Act that was written to provide relief for small businesses affected by the pandemic. The Save Our Stages Act allows live venue operators, producers, promoters, or talent representatives to apply for grants to help cover the cost of payroll, rent, utilities, personal protective equipment. If these recent revisions to the Heroes Act were to be passed and put into action, it could help many small business venues stay in operation despite the financial hardships they have recently experienced.
74 Years of Forestburgh Playhouse History Can’t Be Lost
The Forestburgh Playhouse has been in operation since the 1940s, producing shows, hosting live performances, and providing educational opportunities in the Forestburgh community. The “Magic of the Forest” cannot be lost due to these unprecedented events. It is our hope that in 2021 we will celebrate 75 years of operation. Please consider donating to our 75 and Thrive Campaign to help keep the magic alive.
Read the story behind the Forestburgh Playhouse.
Save Our Stages Fest
Some of the world’s greatest musicians and artists have come together in a 3-day virtual music event on YouTube in support of the Save Our Stages Act Bill. The featured musicians span the genres of country, pop, rock, and hip-hop. You can subscribe to the NIVA (National Independent Venue Association) YouTube channel in order to watch the Save Our Stages Fest. You can also make a donation here in support of the Save Our Stages Act.
Save our Stages Act or the SOS Act
This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make grants to eligible live venue operators, producers, promoters, or talent representatives to address the economic effects of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic on certain live venues.
Specifically, the SBA may make (1) an initial grant of up to $12 million dollars to an eligible operator, promoter, producer, or talent representative; and (2) a supplemental grant that is equal to 50% of the initial grant. An initial grant must be used for costs incurred between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2020, but a supplemental grant may be used for expenses incurred through June 30, 2021.
Such grants shall be used for specified expenses such as payroll costs, rent, utilities, and personal protective equipment.