Emily Hutlock is proud to present her documentary, Breaking the Fourth Wall, which will be screened at Urban Arts Space. The film was created to fulfill the requirements for her master's degree in Arts Administration, Education and Policy at The Ohio State University.
The COVID-19 pandemic left the arts and cultural sector in a dire state, causing major economic disruption and forcing those relying on the arts for emotional and social well-being into isolation. For community theatre organizations, where resources are limited and volunteers are often responsible for operations, COVID-19 appeared to cause irreparable harm; however, community theatres have demonstrated great resilience.
Through video interviews conducted with five community theatre leaders across Ohio, the documentary details the reactions to the pandemic, coping strategies, and recovery processes of community theatres. Emily’s research revealed that many community theatres not only survived the pandemic but are now thriving. Despite financial challenges, these organizations emerged from the pandemic stronger because communities showed their support. Community theatre has demonstrated that it can effectively adapt and respond to change.