5 for Good: Boston theater industry helps secure financial lifeline Theater organization persuades Washington to pass Save Our Stages Act Share Updated: 7:41 PM EST Jan 7, 2021 Theater organization persuades Washington to pass Save Our Stages Act Share Updated: 7:41 PM EST Jan 7, 2021 Hide Transcript Show Transcript THEMSELVES. >> THIS STAGE WENT DARK MONTHS AGO. THE SEATS HAVE BEEN EMPTY, NO ARTIST OR STAFF. >> WE WERE THE FIRST INDUSTRY TO CLOSE, AND WE WILL BE THE LAST TO BE OPEN. >> HE IS THE PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE BOX THEATER. >> WE SHUT OUR DOORS ON MARCH 12, AND HAD TO LET GO OF 275 GIG WORKERS WHO HAVE BEEN PROFESSIONALS IN MY FAMILY FOR 35 YEARS. >> FOR THE DURATION OF THE PANDEMIC, HE IS BEEN WORKING TO STAY AFLOAT, SO THAT HE CAN ULTIMATELY GET THAT FAMILY BACK TOGETHER. PLAYING A VITAL ROLE IN FIGHTING FOR FUNDING, AS PART OF A NEW ORGANIZATION. >> A NEW ORGANIZATION CAME TOGETHER BECAUSE OF THE PANDEMIC. >> NOW THINKS TO HIS WORK AND THAT OF COUNTERPARTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY, THE SAVE OUR STAGES ACT JUST PASSED AS PART OF THE LATEST FEDERAL STIMULUS. VENUES BIG AND SMALL ARE GETTING A DESPERATELY NEEDED LIFELINE. >> HAD THERE NOT BEEN FEDERAL FUNDING, THE STATEMENT BEING USED IS THAT OVER 90% OF THEM WOULD GO OUT OF BUSINESS AND DISAPPEAR. THAT WOULD BE TERRIBLE BECAUSE THE ARTS KEEPS US CIVILIZED AND -- >> THE EFFORT MAKES HIM PROUD. WHILE DETAILS OF THE AGE ARE BEING WORKED OUT, THE PROMISE OF HELP IS ALREADY MAKING A DIFFERENCE. >> IT REALLY SETS A TONE, WHICH HAS CHANGED ALL OF MY SISTERS AND BROTHERS ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO HAVE HOPE. >> SPALDING SAYS THAT WITH THE VACCINES BEING ROLLED OUT, THE HOPE IS THAT VENUES COULD REOPEN AND THE FALL, BUT THEY ADMIT THAT THEY MAY HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL 2022. TO SUPPORT THE FINES