Covid has impacted nearly every aspect of life and theatre was not spared in the slightest. In fact, the world of theatre has been decimated. In New York City, a theatre capital, 66% of arts and entertainment jobs have been lost. For thousands of years, meeting together in person to share a collective experience has been vital to the heart of theatre. While that truth will not be changing anytime soon, this is clearly no longer possible for the foreseeable future. Therefore, many theatre artists have begun to rethink what it means to produce theatre today. Theaters across the country and world have been closing down, some for good, and leaving thousands out of work and thousands more with an inability to access theatre; however, the Theatre Department at Marietta College has been able to stay ahead and produce a full season including a student-led One Acts Festival.
How has Marietta College thrived while so many have been left in languish? According to the professors and faculty of the theatre department, Marietta College is in a unique position due to a multitude of factors. Andy Felt, Artistic Director and Associate Professor likens the success of the theatre department to a combination of fantastic leadership from the department and the college itself, luck, the student’s willingness to remain safe, and the ability of the college to self-isolate and create a “bubble” due to the geographical remoteness of a small town and a small college population. This allowed for shows to be performed in a safe manner for the professors, students, and audience members.
This year, the audiences were both the largest and smallest they have ever been in the history of the Theatre Department at Marietta College. In-person audiences, who were required to wear a mask for the entirety of the show, were limited to twelve people due to socially distanced seating; however, a wider audience was reached through the recording and/or streaming of each show.
The original shows of the 2020-2021 season had to be thrown out because they could not be produced safely in terms of covid restrictions. Over the summer, new shows were chosen that allowed for social distancing while performing. Only one show suffered a loss of performances due to covid. The Laramie Project, directed by Casiha Felt, ran for only one weekend instead of two because several members of the cast and crew were placed into quarantine due to an exposure. Thankfully, all tested negative and rehearsals for the following show were allowed to continue.
Rehearsals for all shows adhered to covid guidelines while directors ensured a safe environment by keeping the actors and production staff separate. Masks were also worn throughout all rehearsals and were only removed for performances. Additionally, the blocking (how and where the actors move/stand/sit) were crafted to ensure social distancing.
All of these factors formed a perfect storm and have made a recipe for success in theatre-making at Marietta College. The Theatre Department at Marietta College hopes to continue this success into the 2021-2022 school year with their fall production of William Shakespeare’s The Scottish Play. Auditions will be held during finals week of this semester. If you are interested, you may contact Andy Felt (acf001@marietta.edu) for more information.
By Dylan Todd Brown
