The last year has been, for the lack of a more original term, unprecedented, and you all know that the COVID-19 pandemic has vastly impacted the way that we have lived, worked, and performed. The theatre and musical theatre communities have been, of course, no exception.
Because of this, you will notice many precautions this evening. Our actors perform with clear masks except when the script calls for otherwise. As an audience, you will complete temperature and health screenings, as well as commit to enjoy our performance masked. Our audience size has been greatly reduced and has been socially distanced by household. We are measuring the carbon dioxide levels in the room with CO2 meters and will vent the room frequently to ensure proper air exchange and to reduce the amount of aerosol build up. All of the chairs in which you sit have been sanitized.
Throughout this process, our actors and production staff have received regular COVID screenings to ensure their safety. The first month of rehearsals were conducted remotely via Zoom and we have been careful to strategically conduct in-person rehearsals that reflect Tiffin University and the TiffinArts Programs' high standards for health and safety protocols.
It is for these reasons that I am all the more proud to present our production of Dogfight. This cast and crew have safely overcome immense obstacles to bring you the musical that you will see today.
Dogfight is a beautiful and heartbreaking story of acceptance, growth and transformation. Through Eddie's eyes, we see that things are not always as they seem, or as you have believed them to be. He is the embodiment of what can happen when you open your heart to see the true beauty in a person or a situation, even if it is not what you originally observed. These themes have been all the more important to us as a cast and crew while we navigated this process and have been able to truly appreciate musical theatre as a craft and art form, especially when at one point, this production didn't seem possible.
Thank you to Tiffin University and our sponsor, Reineke Family Dealerships, for supporting this production and allowing us to create this world. Our TU students are not only fantastic on this stage and behind the scenes, but they are incredible people and it has been a joy to bring this project to life. Thank you so much for supporting our production and we hope you enjoy the show.
Aly Horn, Director
