alley goes virtual

Houston's Alley Theatre cancels all in-person shows and pivots to digital season

The Alley's theater will be closed to in-person performances this year.

This has been a dramatic year for Houston’s stage organizations, especially for the beloved Alley Theatre. In May, the troupe was forced to cut its annual operating budget of $20 million by 35 percent to $13 million and shorten its 2020-2021 season.

Then, in August, the theater group updated its 2020-2021 season yet again. And in October, the Alley announced a fully digital rendition of its beloved annual holiday classic, A Christmas Carol, in effort to cope with COVID.

Alas, 2020 has again struck, and with that, the Alley Theatre has now announced the cancellation of all in-person performances of the 2020-21 season. The following shows are affected by the cancellation, per a press release:

Born with Teeth by Liz Duffy Adams (January 22 – February 14, 2021)
Waiting for Godot by Samuel Beckett (March 5 – 28, 2021)
Dead Man’s Cell Phone by Sarah Ruhl (April 16 – May 9, 2021)
Sweat by Lynn Nottage (May 28 – June 20, 2021)
High School Play: A Nostalgia Fest by Vichet Chum (July 9 – August 1, 2021)

The cancellations are in response to health and safety concerns in the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The company says in a release that it “remains committed to producing the canceled works in future seasons.”

Fans can can look to an all-new digital 2020-21 season that will be available for free to all who register for tickets online at alleytheatre.org. Registration opens December 21.

Digital programming is a part of the Theatre’s Alley@Home content and will be centered around the Alley’s Resident Acting Company.

“Like so many of you, I too am disappointed to have to cancel our on-stage season,” said artistic director, Rob Melrose, in a statement. “I can’t wait to gather in the Hubbard and the Neuhaus to experience live theatre with you again. At the same time, I am delighted about all the work we are creating on Alley@Home and I am excited to share a robust digital season of new plays and classics featuring the Alley's Resident Acting Company.”

Here is the updated 2020-2021 all-digital season, per the Alley.

The Stronger: January 15–February 7, 2021
A Half-Sheet of Paper: January 22–February 14, 2021
The Man with the Flower in His Mouth: February 12–March 14, 2021
Euripides’s Medea: March 5 – April 4, 2021
El Chuco Town Forever: April 2–May 2, 2021
Choosing Love: April 2–May 2, 2021
Man. Kind: April 9–May 9, 2021
For Steve Wozniak, on His 67th Birthday: April 9–May 9, 2021
Old Black and White Hollywood: April 16—May 16, 2021
Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People: April 30–May 30, 2021
Pariah: June 4–July 4, 2021

theater

art on a budget

Affordable Art Fair will sell work from 350 artists starting at $100

Photo courtesy of the Affordable Art Fair

Laura Clay, a featured artist from Austin, is one of the 350 artists that will be displayed at the Affordable Art Fair in Houston

The Affordable Art Fair has announced the exhibitor list for its 2026 Houston debut. From October 15-18, the George R. Brown Convention Center will be home to the international fair, displaying artwork from 350 artists across 55 galleries.

Houston galleries make up the largest contingent, with 17 exhibitors, followed by 22 national galleries and 16 international exhibitors from the United Kingdom, Australia, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Spain, South Korea, Mexico, and Argentina.

Photo courtesy of the Affordable Art Fair

Laura Clay, a featured artist from Austin, is one of the 350 artists that will be displayed at the Affordable Art Fair in Houston

The contemporary artwork will range in price from $100 to $12,000.

The Houston contingent includes Foltz Fine Art, ELLIO Fine Art, Hooks-Epstein Galleries, Bisong Art Gallery, Koelsch Gallery, Laura Rathe Fine Art, Gallery Sonja Roesch, Cindy Lisica Gallery, House of Devi, Print Matters Houston, and Three Studios. Nine Austin galleries will also participate, along with exhibitors from Dallas, Waco, Wimberley, and Comfort. The full list of artists and galleries can be viewed on the Affordable Art Fair's website.

Local talent will take center stage during the event, such as Argentinian, Houston-based photographer and multimedia artist Karen Navarro, who will display artwork in the fair’s center lounge.

Attendees can join a walking tour led by fair director Cori Teague on Friday, October 16, from 3-4pm, and Sunday, October 18, from 2-3 pm.

A hands-on printmaking workshop in collaboration with Print Houston will take place during the event at select times, while KIDO Preschool is hosting kid-friendly activities and scavenger hunts on Saturday and Sunday from 11 am-1 pm. Young professionals can attend the Art After Hours on Friday and Saturday from 5-8 pm for live music and additional programming.

The full schedule of events, including panel talks, will be released at a later date.

The $60 all-access pass for the Affordable Art Fair includes entry to the private view event on Thursday, October 15. The $20 general admission ticket provides access to one of the fair’s three days during general admission hours (Friday, 12-8 pm, Saturday and Sunday, 11 am-6 pm). Tickets are also available for families and attendees under 16, with discounted admission offered to students, military members, and seniors. Tickets can be purchased now for the event.

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