Bukola Ogunmola (Viola) and Gyasi Silas (Orsino) perform on stage during ISC’s “Twelfth Night.” (photo by Grettel Cortes/courtesy of Independent Shakespeare Co.)

The Independent Shakespeare Company announced it canceled its annual 2020 Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival to ensure the safety of community members against COVID-19.

“It is with great regret that we have to announce the cancellation of the 2020 Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival. Having spoken with the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks, it is neither possible nor responsible,” said Melissa Chalsma, ISC artistic director.  “After 17 years of continuous programming, it feels very strange to contemplate this hiatus. We hate to disappoint our audience, but the reality of the situation is clear, and we must do our part to help our city through this crisis as safely as we can.”

Chalsma added canceling programming presents grave challenges for arts organizations, as these organizations rely on donations and ticket sales of events. Moreso, however, is Chalsma is concern for festival artists and staff, who count on summer contracts with ISC.

“Although we can’t perform in the park this summer, we know the festival is a meaningful tradition to many Angelenos, so we’re going to bring the festival indoors and online,” Chalsma said.

ISC will produce an all-new “The Comedy of Errors” that will live stream from its studio space, free for anyone to access. Additionally, if it is safe, a limited audience can join them in person.

Along with this production, ISC will host its regular “Players in the Park” workshops, lectures and community events in a digital space.

“We will be gratified to provide employment for artists, and we’ll do all we can to make it as exuberant and connected an experience as audiences are used to,” Chalsma said. “We hope we will be able to return to more regular programming in the fall, and we fully intend to bring our planned season of ‘King Lear” and “As You Like It’ to the summer of 2021.”

Staff members and community artists also created “Art Breaks,” a space for communities to access podcasts and videos. They hosted an online gala fundraiser “The Living Room Follies!” as a way to fund future plans.

For information, visit iscla.org.