Spring Play Looks to Return With Limited Cast

Adding to the list of events and activities that are slowly easing their way back into our lives after a year of living in isolation, the annual spring play is already in the works. 

With the cancellation of the spring production last May, students and staff are eager to get started with rehearsals. However, many challenges and alterations will still be faced with preparing for the show. 

The Educational Theatre Association (EDTA) has reviewed multiple guides, studies, and expert resources to help with the reopening of theatre classrooms and facilities. The various recommendations for how theatre educators can continue to provide meaningful theatre education experiences for their students in the COVID-19 era are used by high schools all around the country to assist them through this interesting process.

As gathering sizes become restricted and social distancing rules remain set in place, the crew is navigating through this unfamiliar situation with the utmost caution to ensure a smooth and undisturbed production. 

In past years, the cast size ranged from 35 to 85 performers, but in light of the unique conditions, the cast size is being drastically minimized expecting to have 14 to 16 performers total.

“It’s definitely difficult being evolved in a show under these circumstances, but being smart and having all cast and crew members following the set guidelines is the only way we will be able to make it work,” said Johnna Parks, junior.

The cast size limitations and social distancing protocols aren’t the only changes being set forth. It’s expected that the four shows being performed from June 10 to the 13 will all be set on a makeshift stage outside. 

With outdoor performances being held, the tech crew is beginning to make alterations in sounding and lighting to accommodate the obscure staging.

Contrary to what was expected by many students involved, all practices and performances are planned to remain in person with little to no virtual alternative. 

Being able to establish guidelines to make for safe conditions will make for quite the successful show and an enjoyable way to wrap up the 2020-2021 school year.