Theater directors wondering when shows will go on

On Aug. 18, Gov. Mike DeWine gave the much-anticipated go-ahead for fall football to take place in Ohio at the discretion of local school districts.

This came after weeks if not months of debate and handwringing by players, coaches, health experts, elected officials, and educators.

Theater arts students are still waiting. And hearing mostly crickets.

As a football fan and educator myself, I’m certainly happy for all those affiliated with fall sports that at least a path forward has been provided, however unclear that path is with its horizon obscured.

And it certainly is typical for arts students to have to “wait their turn” for proper attention. To be honest, they’re kind of used to it.

But this is getting ridiculous.

As schools open around the country in the face of a global pandemic, what arts can safely take place? Since theater was largely shut down in March — sometimes just hours before openings — there has been precious little guidance to arts organizations or educational theater groups about what can and cannot take place.

The uncertainty and loss of activity has been painful for area groups to bear.

Scott Posey directs the theater program at Lake Catholic High School in Mentor since 1999.

He certainly understands what theater organizations face, having served as director and/or musical director for a variety of theaters such as Weathervane Playhouse, Fine Arts Association, Rabbit Run Theater, Players Guild Theatre in Canton, Trumpet in the Land, CCC West and the former Cleveland Opera on Tour. He is also a member of the Actors Equity Association.

“Our spring musical was supposed to be ‘Chicago; High School Edition’ and we were two days from starting our tech week when the shutdown began,” Posey said.

“We were, unfortunately, unable to get it to the stage. We had hoped that we could reschedule the show even if only for one night or host a telethon event where excerpts of the show were performed but licensing regulations prevented our ability to host this type of event.”

The result is one of those things that is not supposed to happen in theater — the show did not go on.

“It was devastating to all of us, especially our seniors,” Posey said of the cancellation.

“The students, directors and staff had already dedicated hundreds of hours preparing for the show when it was shut down.

“It, of course, has had a financial impact, but we have very generous families that were willing to turn their ticket and participation fees into a donation for the program, so the financial sting wasn’t felt quite as hard.”

Unlike Posey, Jen Hunter had only been directing the theater program at Perry High School for three years after accruing over 30 years of backstage experiences. Like at Lake Catholic, their ambitious production of “Mary Poppins” was a casualty of COVID.

“We initially postponed the show, but when it was apparent school would not be back in session, we cancelled completely,” Hunter said.

“We will be moving forward next year. Lots of sad kids who didn’t get to do their senior show and those that had leads and didn’t get to perform. I was depressed but am now focusing on what we can do (this) year.”

Johnathan Luster, the four-year theater director at Fairport Harding Middle and High School, said their much-anticipated production of “Freaky Friday: The Musical” cancelled just two days before opening.

“At this point in time, our musical is postponed,” Luster said. “We are hoping to be able to perform at sometime within the next year. The safety of our students, parents and patrons is a priority and we’ll not be offering any live performances until we can ensure that all involved will be protected.

“It was heartbreaking to have our show cancelled two days before it was supposed to open, but the health of all involved is much more important,” he added.

“Our students took it hard at first but realized that this is much bigger than our theater department.

“Our program has remained strong and we are looking forward to the day when we can all get back together and do what we love most, perform.”

These are just three of many schools to lose their spring musicals after much upfront expenses. Mentor and Madison high schools lost their musicals as well; it became a nationwide theme.

But what will this year look like? That, even as it is upon us, is still a mystery with very little guidance other than to say it won’t be happening. For now.

“We, of course, want to continue the program at Lake Catholic,” Posey said. “The theater program is a big draw for our community, and we will continue to monitor all the CDC regulations to see what, if anything, can be planned for this upcoming school year.

“Whatever is selected may have to be a more monologue-heavy production and will have a leaner cast and crew than years past,” he continued.

“The Lake Catholic community is made up of loving and dedicated educators, administrators, staff, students and parents and we will persevere.”

“We are needing to think much more creatively ‘out of the box,’” Luster agreed.

“Live theater with an audience is not safe right now, so our team is discussing multiple ideas on how we can bring performances to all of the family, friends, and patrons in a way that makes them feel most comfortable.”

Until then, theater students across the area, especially seniors, will keep wondering if the return of Friday Night Lights will ever transfer to stage lights before the inevitability of graduation blacks out high school careers for good.

Young Thespians is a regular column that focuses on youth in theater. Do you have a production you wish to see featured? E-mail stevecouch@ windstream.net, follow me @StevenRCouch on Twitter or join our “Young Thespians” Facebook group and post your show information.