playbill vip

The work of William Shakespeare represents some of the most accomplished dramatic writing in the English language. For a performer, the opportunity to work on a play such as Hamlet is a chance to demonstrate the full range of their acting ability. Our students have taken this opportunity in both hands and have had a great time wrestling with the themes and poetry of the Bard.

When SBU Theatre decided to produce Hamlet, we had no idea that the world would be going topsy-turvy. The production team has had to overcome many challenges and solve many issues as they apply to COVID-19 restrictions. From developing a concept that would allow our actors to wear face masks to generating a system of signing in so that temperatures could be take at each rehearsal SBU Theatre has been the demonstration of flexibility.

Our process has been unique, to say the least. Students have demonstrated great poise in dealing with going into quarantine, working with a fellow actor over Zoom on an iPad, and adjusting scene shop and costume shop expectations as our labor force virtually disappeared for two weeks in the middle of the process. Despite these challenges that threatened to cancel the entire production, the students of SBU Theatre have found opportunity to really shine. I am so proud of the work they have done and the way in which they have done it. To create live theatre, safely, in a time when many others are choosing cancel seasons or perform only over Zoom is an achievement I hope they will not soon forget.

The production you are about to see represents the best of SBU Theatre at the worst time for theatre in recent history. Although it has been an extremely different process, and the final product is different from anything we originally imagined for a production of Hamlet, I feel that you, the audience, are about to see history being made: theatre in the time of Corona Virus.

Please enjoy this unique show and not only what it represents as a cultural institution, but also what it represents as a moment in history and the culmination of months of work, planning, missteps, and learning. It has been my greatest desire this semester to provide as normal an atmosphere for the students of SBU Theatre as I could. While our Hamlet is far from “normal,” it has allowed us to collaborate, create, and grow like every production we do.

Mr. Jonathan Wehmeyer – Director of Theatre

Find Us Online!

facebook.com/sbutheatre    @sbutheatre      @sbutheatre