Bay City Players has cancelled A Christmas Carol due to rising Coronavirus cases in Bay County. No productions will move forward at this time out of concern for protecting the health and safety of our volunteers, patrons, and the community. The decision was difficult, but based in fact. Bay County is experiencing an unprecedented increase in the rate of infection; well beyond that of our shut-down in the Spring.
On November 9th, we received notification from the Bay Area Chamber of Commerce sharing detail from a Bay County Health Department (BCHD) and McLaren Bay Region statement regarding the rise in COVID-19 cases. The notification may be found here.
In the month of September, Bay County recorded a total of 195 cases. In October, the recorded monthly total increased to 590 cases. During the first week of November, Bay County recorded 430 cases. This projects to be well over 1,000 for the month.
Monthly increases of this magnitude call for community action to slow the spread of COVID-19, protect public wellbeing, and help avoid the local health system from becoming overwhelmed. Bay City Players is doing its part by cancelling A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play and Cole in your Stocking.
We look forward to the time that we can welcome you back to the theatre. Until then, be safe and well. Thank you to all involved in producing the show.
Michael has been involved with Bay City Players for many years. He currently serves on the Board of Directors, is a past President, and has volunteered in almost every capacity of the organization. He is the current chair for the Play-Reading Committee and Set Design and Decoration. Michael has performed on stage in dozens of shows, has spent countless hours designing and decorating sets and has directed many shows for Bay City Players including RENT, COMPANY, LES MISERABLES, THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, CRAZY FOR YOU, ANNIE, just name a few. Michael has also directed BLITHE SPIRIT and ANYTHING GOES at Pit and Balcony and ASSASSINS at Midland’s Center Stage Theatre. He has also been in several productions for Midlands Music Society and most recently was seen on stage in Midland’s Center Stage Theatre’s production of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE and PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE. Michael is also a current board member for CTAM. Obviously his hobby is theatre but in his free time he enjoys gardening, trips to Stratford and spending time with his two adorable Boston Terriers.
TRASHAN DONALD
This will be Trashan’s first time in the seat of the Assistant Director, and she thanks Director MJ Wisniewski for the amazing opportunity! Trashan was most recently seen on Pit & Balcony’s stage as Laura in Steven Martin’s Meteor Shower. Prior to that, she made her debut in community theatre as Eileen in P&B’s production of Ken Ludwig’s Moon Over Buffalo. Her theatre experience dates back to 2005, where she was given her first lead role, casted as Oprah Winfrey for her elementary school’s D.A.R.E program promotion play. She went on to exploring her passion in her high school years at Carrollton High, where she is most remembered for her role as Sylvia in Up the Down Staircase and Grace in A Christmas Carol. Outside of the theater scene Trashan is a credentialed Medical Assistant, mother, and fiancé. She would like to send a huge thank you to Sharrief Beamon for inspiring her return to the stage; her fiancé, Steven, for his endless support; and Amy Spadafore, for the influence she has had on Trashan’s community theater experience.
