by Kassidy Hart–As the 2020 fall semester begins and the COVID-19 virus continues, extra-curriculars on campus have seen a drastic change in how they can remain active but still follow CDC guidelines.
The performing arts is one of those that have found an alternative way to continue performances in order to allow students the opportunity to continue creating art, through video. These virtual performances will reduce in-person contact without cancelling the entire production season.
“There were many elements that went into making the decision to not do live performances for the Fall semester. The biggest deciding factor for me was the safety of the students. I have seen it numerous times that one cast member get the flu during rehearsals and the next thing you know it has spread throughout the entire cast and crew,” said Assistant Professor of Theatre Taylor Clemens.
Morningside’s School of Visual and Performing Arts plans to record videos beforehand, with alternating focuses, and then to publish these videos to YouTube three times a week.
“Mondays will be family-friendly, kids’ stories. Wednesdays will be chapter readings from a classic novel. We will be starting with Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. And Fridays we will do a kind of variety show that is showcasing talents from Morningside students and community members,” Clemens said.
To make these videos happen, Clemens has chosen to readjust his Applied Theatre class schedule from focusing on live performances, that will not be happening, to roles as producers for the YouTube channel. As producers, he hopes this will allow for them to develop basic skills like organizing and planning as well as more difficult skills directly related to a producer’s role.
“As someone who is greatly interested in performing opera at a professional level in the future, I wanted to gain understanding of the theatrical side of the art form. Even if it was not what I had expected initially, I feel very honored to be able to take part in this YouTube channel,” senior and producer Noah Rubida said.
This project certainly allows for students to continue creating art as well as keep the Morningside community and its alumni involved. But some students who have been a part of the production process in the past express their worries that this may not fill the emptiness only a live show can.
“The best and worst part about acting in a live show was the hours spent rehearsing and spending time with my cast mates. While the hours spent rehearsing usually sucked, the getting to know my fellow actors and actresses on a deeper level is probably my favorite part of acting. Along with that it is the sense of accomplishment that putting on a show gave me. Again, we would spend hours grinding on a show and then putting on the best performance we possibly could,” senior Dalton Van Briesen said.
Although these virtual performances cause students involved to feel distant from their peers and what they are used to, Van Briesen is still optimistic about the benefits it can have.
“I expect to gain a learning of a different way and form of acting. It is just so different acting on a camera compared to acting live. I have hardly done acting on camera whereas I have done tons of live acting,” Van Briesen said.
Even though the project has just started and was created in order to combat the pandemic’s restrictions on live performances, it is very possible virtual performances will continue to an extent even after restrictions are lifted. These videos could be used to market Morningside’s theatre department and create more of an online presence for the future.
“We have already learned that producing three videos a week is a lot of work, but I am hoping that students will take a strong interest in this project and will be the leaders to keep it going in the future,” Clemens said.
The first week of videos have already been published and you can view these on the YouTube channel. If you are interested in getting involved with this project or want to showcase your talents, Clemens encourages you to get involved with any of the producers or with him directly at celemenst@morningside.edu.
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