A DV ER TO R I A L
Adjusting to a
NEW REALITY:
How Coronavirus is
Affecting Local
Businesses Photos courtesy of Westminister S
chool Just as families have had to make major changes
to their daily lives during the COVID-19 crisis, so have our
favorite local businesses. Here, we talk to two of them—Encore Stage & Studio and
Westminster School, both in Virginia—about the ways they are adjusting to our new reality.

HOW HAS THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC
AFFECTED YOUR BUSINESS?
WHAT LESSONS HAVE YOU LEARNED SO
FAR DURING THIS CRISIS?
Encore Stage & Studio: We canceled our spring production, which
typically casts 30-40 children and 15-25 students on crew and enriches
the lives of 2,000 audience members. Our annual Benefit Breakfast, our
largest in-person event for individual fundraising, was held virtually on
April 29. Also, not being able to offer programs and classes in person has
heavily impacted our outreach work in the community with low-income
children. Westminster School: In short order, we had to re-invent school,
arranging for online delivery of core academics and enrichment classes,
with measures in place to maintain high expectations and integrity for
students and staff. Social distancing rendered significant portions of our
program undeliverable, such as bus service, extended-day care and some
after-school enrichment classes, as well as eliminating the need for daily
janitorial work. Rather than abandon the hourly wage earners who deliver
those programs, Westminster has elected to continue paying them.

Encore: One of the greatest lessons that we have learned is the
power of teamwork. Our staff has been teleworking diligently to create
a welcoming and nurturing virtual space for our students and families.

We are all in this together to make sure we provide the same quality in a
virtual experience to allow every child to experience the joy of theater.

Westminster: Although we were proud of them before, we have been
amazed by the optimism, flexibility and creativity of our staff and faculty.

We have been touched by the eagerness of our students to adjust to the
new format of distance learning and grateful to their parents for their
support and their positive feedback. These responses have shown us the
strength and cohesion of our community, proving its resilience in the
face of hardship.

WHAT CHANGES HAVE YOU MADE TO YOUR
BUSINESS TO BE ABLE TO CONTINUE SERVING
CUSTOMERS? Encore: Through the Zoom platform and prerecorded instructional
videos, our staff has designed our spring break camps and classes to be
virtually accessible. We also premiered a “Live with Encore” series on
social media to offer a weekly free Parent & Me virtual class and connect
families with our teaching artists.

Westminster: We implemented an education-friendly online
platform for exchanging information, assignments and assessments. This
included extraordinary creativity by our pre-school and primary grade
teachers, who have successfully engaged the attention and cooperation of
our youngest students. We are also finding ways to continue celebrating
our community through online events, such as a bedtime story for K-2
students, a staff talent show, Shakespeare’s birthday celebration,
Earth Day activities, bingo games and more.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO
PARENTS RIGHT NOW?
Encore: Our advice is more of an assurance to parents that they’re
not alone! We’re here to help provide the best way for their child to stay
connected, creative and growing through the arts.

Westminster: As challenging as it may be to blend work, home and
school together, look at this as an opportunity for bonding as never
before. As a chance to cook, read, share family stories, play and create
together. A time for children to appreciate the work parents do and the
charity they show to others, and for parents to recognize how hard their
children work at learning. A time to rise above small hardships. A time
that your family will always remember. As difficult as it may be,
see it for what it truly is—an opportunity for love.

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