The Doudna Fine Arts Center is one of many programs and buildings on campus that is adjusting to the health and safety guidelines put in place this semester.

Dan Crews, the director of programming at Doudna, said that plans are being put in place in regards to performances and events as the fall semester continues.

“It’s our hope that things don’t get worse, and that things will continue to get better,” he said. “We just don’t know how things are going to be in a week, let alone next month, let alone in January of 2021. But we have a plan.”

According to a Doudna press release, “the Doudna Fine Arts Center along with the Department of Music and the Department of Theatre have made the difficult decision to cancel all public, in-person performances planned for the fall semester.”

Crews also said that the departments located in Doudna have been working together to provide a way for students to play the recitals and put on the performances that are a vital part of their education.

Crews compared the student artists to student-athletes in that they are eager to perform and practice for their events much in the same way as athletes practice for competition.

“Our musicians, our performers, just like an athlete, are constantly in training,” he said. “And they’re training for a reason, and that’s for performance.”

Even with the challenges imposed on students, Doudna’s priorities reflect those of the university. 

“We want to play it safe,” Crews said, “and the number one concern is everyone’s safety and health, and that’s the bottom line.” 

Rather than having large ensembles come to perform at Doudna, Crews said that there will be more one or two-person acts this semester, in compliance with social distancing recommendations.

Ryan Meyer can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].