Fran Powers was in her 40s when she decided to check-off some childhood dreams. First, was hopping on her bike and riding across the United States of America. Once she did that, opening her community theater would be easy coasting.
“My favorite part about theater is creating art,” Powers said, “working with people to make ink on paper come alive. The feeling of an audience and actors connecting.”
Powerstories Theatre has been a staple of the Tampa Bay area for 22 years now. Powers started the theater by traveling and writing autobiographical shows. She wanted to give anyone the platform to share his or her story. Since then, electric performances have filled its stage here in Tampa.
That was until the pandemic hit.
Theaters are no exception to COVID-19 protocols. Powerstories is a building that houses a crowd, and that can’t happen under current circumstances. Just like everyone else, Powers had to stop operations and figure out how to continue.
“The first few months had me off balance,” Powers said. “I was upset and angry and not sure what to do. We even thought about, Well, maybe this is a good time to just close the doors.”
Ticket sales are one of the main sources of a theater’s revenue, and COVID-19 is bringing detriment to their income. Venues may have to compensate in some way if they plan to open with socially distant guidelines.
“It becomes a math problem,” said Nora Paine, president of the New Tampa Players. “Audiences aren’t going to pay a higher price for a show just because we can’t sell as many tickets. Now we have to make a choice of will creating a show generate enough money without losing money?”
To continue theater in the Tampa area, this means adjusting with the times. The internet has shown to be that new creative tool. It allows live theaters to innovate new ways to tell stories and attract an audience.
“When you remove the restrictions of traditional theater, it really does open options,” Paine said.
New Tampa Players has hosted a slew of artistic video projects via their social media. In November, the troupe will host The Amazing Arts challenge. Contestants in teams of two will race all around Tampa to compete in different art activities.
Over 20 organizations have signed up to participate, supporting Powerstories in their transition to embrace the power of online connectivity as a new solution.
“We have a strong game plan now,” Powers said. “Until it’s time to start doing what you’ve always been doing, you’ve got to adapt. This is how we’re adapting.”
Powerstories has published 10 stories a week on its website under the Positively Powerstories initiative, another way for people to share their true experiences.
As far as shows go, audiences can buy tickets to their upcoming Voices of Truth Festival. Individual creators will be able to submit their plays to be performed on the Powerstories stage. The performances will stream directly to paying customers, and anyone can snag a virtual seat.
Despite the challenges, Powers is upbeat about her mission continuing.
“We are all about telling positive, inspirational stories,” she said. “The bottom line is, I didn’t want this pandemic to be the end of our story. It’s almost a gift. If we can find something good from it, we will.”
