Indoor Performances of Midsummer Cancelled Due to Rising COVID-19 Concerns

Madison Ballet is saddened to announce the cancellation of its upcoming performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream at the Overture Center, originally scheduled to run September 17-26. After closely monitoring the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in Dane County, the organization plans to pivot to safer alternatives for audiences to experience this magical production.  

This difficult decision results from the growing health and safety concerns as COVID-19 and Delta variant cases rise. “The health and safety of our audiences, artists, staff, and community remains our top priority,” says CEO, Jonathan Solari. “We are particularly concerned with the safety of our youngest audience members and dancers who, because of their age, are not yet eligible to be vaccinated.” Given that Midsummer is a show filled with magical characters and storylines, the audience was expected to include many families with children under the age of 12.

Though Madison Ballet has cancelled the performances at the Overture Center, the company is continuing to rehearse and is exploring safer ways to present the show, possibly in an outdoor setting. “We are committed to honoring the work of our artists, many of whom were in the cast for this production when the lockdown began in 2020. For them, bringing this to the stage--however it happens--will be a true triumph of the creative spirit,” says Solari. The organization plans to share filmed performances of Midsummer for free online, and is also exploring the possibility of inviting smaller in-person audiences to free outdoor performances.

Madison Ballet will contact all current Midsummer ticket holders directly to offer a full refund or an opportunity to donate the cost of their ticket as a gift to Madison Ballet.  All donated ticket funds will directly support Madison Ballet’s artists and offset the cost of producing A Midsummer Night’s Dream as a non-paid, public performance.  

For the most up-to-date information on Madison Ballet’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, please click here.