Lufkin, TX: The ongoing Covid-19 global pandemic has had a devastating impact on the performing arts, especially the touring entertainment industry. Consequently, the Angelina Arts Alliance has announced that the remaining 2020-2021 Temple Theater Performing Arts Season has been postponed to next season. This difficult decision was made by the Board of Directors and Executive leadership for the Angelina Arts out of concern for the safety and wellbeing of patrons and in response to ongoing seating capacity limitations imposed on performing arts venues.

The state of Texas mandates social distance seating in all performing arts theaters resulting in 275 seats in the Temple Theater available to sell to the public for performances. This limited seating creates a situation where most performances scheduled prior to the pandemic are not financially viable for the artists and Angelina Arts. This reality, in addition to the ongoing spread of Covid-19 and related health and safety concerns makes large touring productions at this time an impossibility.

Angelina Arts is committed to keeping the arts alive during this difficult time in a variety of ways. There are a few remaining performances of the annual Discovery Series still scheduled to perform, including A Very Electric Christmas (December 19- 2pm), Bike Zoo, a free public event in Downtown Lufkin (April 17 – 11am) and Bella Gaia (April 25 – 2pm). Other spring performances will be announced in the coming days.

Angelina Arts was forced to stop its regular performances in March due to Covid-19. These current season changes creates an unfortunate reality that Angelina Arts is facing a year and a half without its usual level of ticket revenue and related sponsorships to support the full scope of its operations and its programs.

“There is no doubt that we are facing some very difficult months ahead as we work hard to overcome the devastating impact of Covid-19 on our programs and our community as a whole. We hope that our patrons and supporters will consider donating their tickets or their annual sponsorships back to Angelina Arts in light of these extraordinary times we are living through. General donations of any amount are greatly appreciated and make a tremendous difference,” said Jennifer Allen, Executive Director of the Angelina Arts Alliance.

Angelina Arts anticipates reopening its usual season of performances at the Temple Theater beginning in the fall of 2021. More information about future programs will be made available at a later date.

Anyone who purchased single tickets to any of theses affected performances may request a refund now through March 1, 2021. Please contact the Angelina Arts box office at 936-633-5454, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5pm.

The Angelina Arts Alliance is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to enrich, entertain and educate by presenting and promoting the arts in East Texas.