I'm (obviously) following this discussion with keen interest.
I'm trying hard to imagine every possible scenario for the fall, since it's likely to be different in different parts of the country. Some schools may be able to do outdoor performances, some might do 25% audience full with a simultaneous livestream, some might have to do a completely zoomed performance. Some might be able to do their show on the stage without an audience.
I am working on creating shows with more depth and complexity, that could work in any situation. (I know a lot of people did 10 Ways to Survive... this spring, and I wanted to create something quickly, that was fun and simple, but I'd say that was a stopgap measure - or at least a show for beginning actors, rather than a play that really stretches people)
I've already completed THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST IN A PANDEMIC, which can be performed by actors in 7 different locations - it's essentially a very faithful adaptation of the play, with almost all the original dialogue, just adapted for socially distanced actors in different locations. I've got a new one-act called HELP DESK, which is similar to a play like Check, Please (mostly duets, could be done with social distancing on stage as the characters are supposed to be in different locations). I'm working on THE RADIO PLAY DISASTER, which essentially a "Play that Goes Wrong" version of War of the Worlds - performable live or virtually.
I'm learning a lot while I do this, and I encourage you to think about how you might adapt public domain work for virtual performance if need be - (anything before 1900 or so is fair game - just dig in, mess around with it, and make your own version.) I've also given a lot of permissions for people performing my other plays to tweak them as necessary for online performance too. (I get requests for me to adapt one of my plays for online performance just about every day, and I've written a lot of plays, so I can't do them all!)
I think the key here is to be flexible, and have a back-up plan if your play needs to go virtual. We don't know what's going to happen this fall, and even if things seem fine this summer, there might be a resurgence and we'll all need to go virtual again (shudder).
But I'm always happen to listen and work with you and your school if you need to adjust or modify things quickly.
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Don Zolidis
Austin TX
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-03-2020 08:51
From: Crit Fisher
Subject: Thoughts for next season
John,
We announced our season right in the middle of COVID-19. We have great relationships with the theatrical rights companies, but we also know that you have to secure the rights first. We are doing The Musics Man, Grease and Anatomy of Gray. Just like you, we are waiting to see what the Indiana Department of Education says the week of July 6th.
Right now, out sporting teams can start conditioning July 1st, so we are feeling encouraged.
But there is still uncertainty.
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Crit Fisher
Lighting/Sound Designer
New Albany High School
Original Message:
Sent: 06-02-2020 09:39
From: John Conners
Subject: Thoughts for next season
Hello Everyone
I wonder how people are planning for their seasons next year amid all this uncertainty.
My school has several different options on the table right now that all combine face to face with distance learning. I don't know yet if we'll have our theater classes and productions online or in person, but we may have the option to teach and produce in person as long as we wear masks and stay 6 feet apart. Not ideal, but at least we may be in the same space (sometimes). And it looks like the school will not allow visitors to the building.
As my colleagues and I brainstorm, and Administration figures this out, I would appreciate any glimpse of where other people are right now and what they are thinking.
There has been talk about having some classes outside so we can all spread out, (no word yet on if that means we will have some kind of tent or temporary building) so one idea may be outdoor shows. That's assuming they change their policy and we can have people come to campus. And here in CT it gets cold in late October when our fall shows open. Maybe we could have a show in our space and either record it or stream it.
Our Spring shows were done on Zoom - Upper School live, and Middle School recorded and streamed. They worked really well, but I would like to think that was a temporary solution.
Any thoughts or suggestions are much appreciated!
Thank you!!
John
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John R. Conners
Director of Theater Arts
St. Luke's School
377 North Wilton Rd.
New Canaan, CT 06840
(203) 801-4858
http://www.stlukesct.org
He, Him, and His
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