Princeton’s McCarter Theater Center announced that the theater will remain dark until at least July 2021 because of COVID-19 restrictions and concerns.

The Tony Award-winning nonprofit theater decided to cancel all its in-person events because of the rise in infections, according to artistic director Sarah Rasmussen.

“It just felt like the most respectful, responsible thing to say, ‘Hey, the season as we originally had conceived it – we’re going to put that on hold,’” Rasmussen says.

The McCarter Theater produces its own plays and musicals and presents artist appearances. It has been closed since March and has laid off most of the staff.

Rasmussen is new to the job - McCarter's first new artistic director in 30 years. She says that she now looks ahead to what McCarter will stage when it does reopen.

"I love comedy. I love comedy about difficult things but I love comedy nonetheless that looks at the ways communities can come together,” she says. “And I think that will feel really important coming out of this. We have got to have some joy, we've got to have some laughter."

McCarter is continuing its online education and entertainment programs, including a virtual play festival of the works of playwright Adrienne Kennedy.

The theater is also producing “A Christmas Carol at Home,” a project that will allow the public to star and act out the holiday classic at their own homes.

More information about all of the online programs can be found on the theater’s website.