The stage is set for the actors’ performances, yet no audience sits in the house seats. Instead, for the Greendale High School theatre, productions for the 2020-2021 school year are entirely online. Rehearsals and performances are both done remotely, and everyone involved shares in the new experience.

 In the fall, students performed LARAMIE PROJECT, and recorded performances were available to watch via the internet.This was challenging for both actors, stage crew and the director alike. “Never having directed for the camera before, it all seemed a new experience for me,” Eric Christiansen, director of GHS theatre, said. “Tiny gestures mean much more on-screen, so there needs to be much more focus on the minutiae of facial expression and gesture.”

Senior Stage Manager Andrea Ligocki comments on the stage crew’s involvement and the challenges that they have faced. “Performing is very weird now that crew doesn’t have to be hidden,” she said. “We essentially only [had] seniors on [crew] for THE LARAMIE PROJECT… I really miss the family that is built… in person.”

Behind the scenes was not the only aspect that changed. “I miss being able to just do shows and not thinking about the logistics of everything working out. It was different because there were opportunities for reshoots,”  junior actress Macy Ortloff said. 

Not all is bad with the new format, however. With the difference in media, there is a change in focus. “I found I was listening much more carefully to the actors… I also found I was much more engaged in the one-on-one dialogue with each actor who was attempting to bring their respective characters to life,” Christiansen said. 

Ligocki thinks everyone has done a great job dealing with the situation. “I’m super proud of how flexible everybody has been,” she said. “The actors have been flexible in terms of a digital rehearsal format and filming.”

“I liked not worrying as much about messing up because I knew it could be done better the next take,” said Ortloff. “However, I much prefer live performances because the differences in the same piece make each night special, even with little slip ups, it makes it more interesting and memorable.”

In early January, Greendale High School students were given new information about the spring production. The chosen show, BLESSINGS FROM THE PANDEMIC, is an assembly of various poetry readings inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic. The play will be shown in March, and similar to the fall play LARAMIE PROJECT, BLESSINGS FROM THE PANDEMIC will have remote rehearsals and recorded performances available to watch on designated days.

The future of live theatre is in question, especially with Broadway shut down. “COVID has devastated the theatre community as a whole,” said Christiansen. “I imagine it will take quite a while to recover.”