Light in the Darkness of COVID-19

Originally posted March 16, 2020

Surprise!!! I am STILL in Texas. I’m sure with what’s going on in the world and in our country right now you could have assumed that I didn’t make it back to NYC. In NYC almost everything is closed, so it’s nice to be home in Texas with more space from people and easier access to supplies…

It’s crazy how quickly things have been changing. A little over a week ago when I was planning my trip home, I knew that the Coronavirus was bad in the city and starting to spread but it hadn’t really affected a lot of businesses yet. We had added extra cleaning measures at both of my jobs and a few of the colleges were going to close campuses for a bit if there was a link to exposure but I had no idea it would escalate to this. It’s very strange not being there to experience it for myself and only knowing what it’s like through the news and what my friends in the city say. I know that tons of people have been leaving the city over the past few days. It looks like ghost town from pictures. Empty subways and streets. As of tomorrow, all restaurants and bars no longer have a “dine-in” option and customers can only order takeout and delivery. Also all movie theaters, nightclubs and entertainment venues are ordered to close until further notice to stop the spread.

I’m thankful that I’m home and am not alone in the city experiencing it and I’m super thankful that our country is going to such measures to prevent us from escalating the issue any further.

I think this is a great time to get away from social media and all the fear behind the media and to get grounded. I know it’s a very difficult time for gig performers and theatre artists everywhere right now who are having their shows either cancelled for post-poned for months or so. As someone who identifies with this community I want to do something special for the community. I am now away from work for 2 weeks which is scary for anyone, but hopefully I’ll be back to work sooner than our performers and entertainers will get to. It’s all changing day by day so we’ll see. This is a great time to center ourselves in our own truths to come back as better and stronger artists than ever.

I’m going to do an Instagram live performance and auction some of my playbills from shows that have had to close early or be postponed on Broadway because of COVID-19. I’ll be taking donations via PayPal and Venmo and I’ll be donating 50% of the earnings to the Actors Fund. The Actors Fund is for everyone in the performing arts and entertainment community and helps with emergency financial assistance, affordable housing, health insurance counseling, supplemental employment, addiction and recovery services and so much more. They have been immensely helpful during this time of unknowns for performers and I know they need help now more than ever.

I’ll be sending updates on my Instagram story throughout the week with more information about special guest and auction items. I’ll also be asking for song requests in my stories so check that out throughout the week. I want to do something creatively enriching with this time as well as helpful for the people who have been living my dream but had that taken from them for the time being. I want to support them in the hopes that one day they will support me.

If you don’t follow me on Instagram you can do so here to stay in the loop about when and what will be happening on the livestream and if you aren’t subscribed to my blog, you can do that at the top of this page where it says “Login/Sign Up” and I’ll be sending an email with lots of details and exciting information exclusive to blog subscribers. I look forward to doing this and hoping that it spreads just a little bit of joy and comfort in this scary time!

So, if you find yourself social distancing and feeling hopeless, I encourage you to think of ways that you can help remotely. I know I’m not Insta-famous by any means and I won’t be raking in the big bucks to save Broadway, but I want to help even if it seems small. I think that kind of help is the most important.

XOXO,

Texas Jess

P.S.– I won’t be the first or the last to say it but, STAY HOME AND WASH YOUR HANDS!