The pandemic is raging. Democracy is disintegrating. Stress is skyrocketing. What should we do about it? We’ll have a play, of course.
Theatre brings communities together, which is more important than ever now that we are physically distant. While certain aspects of the theatrical experience are more challenging when working remotely, producing a Zoom play does provide the opportunity to experiment and expand as well:
- Because we are limited physically, we chose a play in verse. Actors and audiences alike can focus on Moliere’s complex and delightful language.
- Because costumes only partially show and sets are purely virtual, we took the opportunity to experiment with bold makeup design.
- With no lighting or sound cues to worry about, we had fun with sound and video editing instead.
- Many of us have experienced the phenomenon of time losing meaning in quarantine, so we set our play in every time and no time. After all, 17th century ruffled collars were made for Tiktok.
This play does not provide any answers to the major questions of our day except one: What should we do when life becomes unbearably mundane?
We should lighten up. We should laugh (but not at other people, because that will come back to bite you.) We should use the resources we have available. We should get creative. If we’re lucky and the internet doesn’t lag too much, we may end up with something rather delightful.
- Hannah Gould
