Innovating During Pandemic — With Help of Community Support: Wilbury Theatre’s Short LIVE

Innovating During Pandemic — With Help of Community Support: Wilbury Theatre’s Short LIVE

Josh Short, the Founder and Artistic Director of Providence’s Wilbury Theatre, appeared on GoLocal LIVE to talk about adapting and innovating during the pandemic — and how the upcoming “401 Gives” day spearheaded by the United Way will help nonprofits with the support they need to keep going. 

“I think we learned a lot about ourselves as an organization — it brought us back to sort of the original work that we did when we were performing in a garage at Conley’s Wharf, then in one of the warehouses in Olneyville with a couple of clip lights,” said Short, of innovating with online and socially distant performances during the pandemic. “It’s like oh yeah, this is who we are, this is what we do — you know, we perform best under the most difficult circumstances. I think it invigorated us and our mission.” 

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“I mean, we wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of GoLocal — I mean, shutting down the show just after opening like we had to just a year ago today — exactly, actually — then talking with you a couple of weeks later and being able to make that pivot and work with GoLocal to start streaming our work and getting that out there,” said Short. “I think that really just gave us a kick in the rear and we were able to just snowball — we were able to make the Fringe Festival digital, and then that gave us the confidence to pursue outdoor programming and it was a great snowball effect. So I’m grateful to GoLocal for giving us the support we needed when we needed it the most.”

Support for Theater - and Nonprofits

Short also spoke to the importance that “401 Gives” had in 2020 for the theater — and what it can mean again this year moving forward. 

“Last year…it was when we needed support the most,” said Short. “This kind of initiative by United Way galvanized the community with the spirit of giving at a time when we needed it most. We raised about $5,000. We saw a lot of new donors come out and support our work — we saw a lot of small donations, which you know add up and are incredibly important. I think it was an incredible opportunity to reach new people.”

“So we’re looking forward to this year — and I’m sure every other nonprofit in the state is too,” he added.

To learn more about 401 Gives — and the upcoming day of giving in Rhode Island on April 1 to support local nonprofits — go here.