The festival – which creates around 3,000 jobs and generates approximately $135 million for the local economy, according to Stratford mayor Dan Mathieson – put its entire 2020 season on hold amid the pandemic.

As a result, it has lost $10 million this year, Cimolino said, and has asked the government for $8 million in emergency funding.

… “We’re throwing down a stage. We have very little tech. We have some lights for the later shows, but it’s very much focused on the storytelling, because we can’t use a theater space so we can’t have all the tech support,” said Fiona Mongillo, the festival’s artistic producer.

Mongillo was excited to see the province move to phase three of reopening in time for the festival’s opening night, she said.

That means the performers can play to audiences of 25 instead of just 10.

Source: CBC News