The U.S. government shutdown affects Clayton Center for the Arts performance
Maryville community members excitedly awaited a sold out performance from “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, until the government shutdown beginning on Oct. 1 halted the event. The show was set to hit the Maryville stage on Oct. 5, but the shutdown, just days before the performance, led to its cancellation.
‘“The President’s Own” Marine Corps Band reached out to me when there was talk of a government shutdown to let me know that if that did happen, the concert would have to be cancelled,” said Christana Sayer, artistic programming manager for the Clayton Center for the Arts.
During a government shutdown, federal guidelines restrict military band travel and performances – the exact reason why this touring group’s concert was canceled.
“When it was certain that the government wouldn’t reopen in time for them to travel to us and do the concert, the band confirmed with us that they wouldn’t be able to come,” Sayer said. “Because of the government shutdown, all of their payroll and travel expenses are paused. Many of them are furloughed, and they aren’t even allowed to post on their social media or anything to announce cancellations,” Sayer said.
The show’s cancellation brought on the public’s disappointment, but it also left several student workers without a job that day.
“I don’t have the opportunity to work a lot of events with my school and sports schedule, so it was frustrating to know that I wouldn’t be making any money that week from working,” said Madison McDonald (‘27). “When I heard it was cancelled, I was mainly just surprised that the shutdown could affect my work as a student worker.”
To Sayers’ knowledge, this is the first time the Clayton Center For the Arts has ever had to cancel a performance due to a government shutdown. However, this very same Marine Corps Band was scheduled to perform in 2020, but that performance was also canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This year’s performance was almost 15 years to the day from their first performance at the CCA,” Sayer said. “And we are definitely planning to host them before the CCA turns 20!”
Currently, The Clayton Center for the Arts does not have any information about possibly rescheduling the performance, as the government shutdown is still in effect.
Although the tickets were free of charge, The Clayton Center for the Arts had all 1,085 seats in The Ronald and Lynda Nutt Theatre reserved, with even more people on the wait list to see the show.
Due to the high demand of the show, guests were only allowed to purchase four tickets per household.
“Because the Band’s costs come from the government (hence why the government shutdown is such a big issue), host venues cannot charge for tickets,” Sayer said. “The Clayton Center for the Arts would have covered the costs of hosting the event (staffing, security, etc), and we were excited to be able to present the event for the community.”
The last major government shutdown was December 2018 to January 2019, during the first Trump administration. Lasting a total of 35 days including both the start and end dates, the 2019 shutdown is currently the longest recorded government shutdown. However, the 2025 government shutdown is rapidly approaching those 2019 numbers.
The United States Marine band’s official poster for the event that was supposed to hit the Clayton Center For The Arts on Oct. 5.