The Garland Summer Musicals (GSM) board of directors held a virtual meeting last week during which the members voted to reschedule the 2020 season to the summer of 2021. Alternative possibilities, such as having only one show, were discussed; but the board of directors’ feeling was that safety was the top priority.
“This was a hard decision that was based solely on the safety of our audience, cast, crew and staff in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Stan Luckie, board chairman, wrote in an announcement.
After 37 consecutive years of spectacular, award-winning productions, fans of GSM’s quality theater will miss this summer’s performances. But rest assured, the Garland Summer Musicals will be back, and better than ever, in summer 2021.
This summer’s DYA day camp will also be canceled.
GSM history: In 1982, the Performing Arts Center Guild was formed in order to provide volunteer support for the city of Garland’s newly constructed Performing Arts Center. The PAC Guild volunteers tirelessly supported various arts groups with thousands of volunteer hours, selling concessions and promoting all the arts organizations by publishing the “Arts in Action” Newsletter and TV show. One of the major goals of the PAC Guild was to bring professional musicals to Garland. Therefore, in 1983 the PAC Guild created the Garland Summer Musicals. From the inception, Garland Summer Musical’s mission was to provide a training ground for aspiring performers with the focus on maintaining a professional and educational environment that taught area youth all areas of theatre production. GSM quickly became a major theatrical event for the Dallas area. By 1992, the PAC Guild had become a Committee of the Garland Summer Musicals and changed their name to the GSM Guild. The guild is still a major support arm of the Garland Summer Musicals hosting opening night parties, cast parties and various social functions and fundraisers throughout the year.