To paraphrase a famous lyric: "How do you solve a problem like producing a show during a global pandemic?"
This was the question I started to ask myself last July, when it seemed obvious that this school year would be like no other. How could we safely provide the opportunity for students to engage in theater when no other extra-curricular activities were being offered? How do we showcase our work to our friends and family when large gatherings are strongly discouraged?
Since September, the production staff has been actively working on answering those questions. The show you are watching tonight is a product of creative thinking and positive thinking.
As many of our returning audience members know, our drama department alternates between a play and a musical every year. When it became apparent that our production would have to go virtual this year, we knew that we needed to break from tradition and do two musical years in a row. Of course, that brought its own difficulties! The CDC has pretty clear recommendations regarding singing. This is how we settled on producing a new and very zany musical, [Title of Show].
The next dilemma was numbers. Our stage can really only fit four actors, safely, but our goal as an educational theater program is to involve as many students as possible. Suddenly, the Alpha and Omega casts were created. Instead of four students, we could include eight talented students!
Yet again, another logicistal nightmare was created. Rehearsal started in January, when the two-cohort model was being used. This meant that while the Alpha cast was in school, rehearsing on the stage, the Omega cast was rehearsing via Zoom from home! Our students rose to the occasion beautifully, as they always do. We adapted to quarantines, technology issues, illnesses, parent schedules, snow days, unplowed roads, just about kind of every obstacle!
And so, here we are! I speak for every member of the production when I say that I have never been prouder of a production because of how much our students have grown as performers and as adults. These young adults accepted the responsibilites of being part of a unusual production process and have put on a show that demonstrates why they love this artform.
I know that you will be just as proud as we are when the "curtain" comes down.
Enjoy the show,
Katherine Wixted
