Drama production relying on Zoom
In the age of COVID, Zoom has become essential for some.
At Berkley High School, drama director John Hopkins has found a way for the technology to keep his drama students happy and performing. Last spring, the hard work on their musical went down the drain when school activities were cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But this fall, the students are front and center putting all of their theatrical talents on screen via Zoom.
The play, “She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms!”, is ready for the general public to view both Thursday and Friday nights at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 for single and family pricing is available. Purchase them at bedramatickets.com. Each ticket is a unique URL that cannot be shared or copied. Drama Director John Hopkins has been working around the clock with his cast and outside vendors to ensure the lights will go on and the curtain will go up on the production.
“I chose the play last year in January before we knew anything about COVID. Then when we closed down and it looked like we wouldn’t be in school in the fall, I panicked. I thought it was the perfect show for this group of kids and this group of talent,” Hopkins said. “Then the playwright (Qui Nguyen) in June came out with a Zoom version of this show.”
When their spring musical was cancelled and Hopkins had to let his students know, he saw dreams crushed and one particular student’s face left a lasting impression on him.
“Right then and there, I was determined that we would do whatever it takes so I would never see that face again,” he said. “That broken face, we were never going to see that hurt again.”
Hopkins and his crew took to creating 14 separate cubicles on stage replete with computers to put the show together. He relied on the Louisville, Kentucky based AV Club to help them get their production “on air.” The show’s premise, as described by Hopkins, “is a crazy show about nerdy kids playing dungeons and dragons about a girl who loses her sister in a car accident but gets to know her by playing the dungeons and dragons campaign her sister had written. It’s very tongue and cheek and it’s a very hilarious show.”
And not just the final production is on Zoom. Hopkins used the platform to audition the students then rehearsals were held via Zoom as well. The final production was filmed live via Zoom to be streamed.
“I set up a way for kids to be there but be safe, be social distant, be masked – I was determined to let them still have this experience and to do it safely,” Hopkins said. “After each rehearsal, I wiped down the cubicles and wiped down the computers. No one is going to get sick on my watch.”
This past Sunday’s Health and Human Services Emergency Orders pausing in-person high school instruction and activities gave him reason for concern. But when he woke up determined Monday morning, a friend put him in touch with AV Club.
“They have been editing, putting in transitions and dress it up so it doesn’t just look like a Zoom call,” he said.
He does warn that the show “contains language used by not just any teenagers but the nerdy ones. Viewer discretion is advised.”
Cast
• Narrator: Amelia Ford (senior)
• Tilly: Angeline Ameloot ( junior)
• Agnes: Carly Spagnuolo (senior)
• Chuck: Gavin Welcher (Senior)
• Vera: Olivia Bath (senior)
• Miles: Nicolai Binschus (senior)
• Kaliope/ Kelly: Livia Hetes (senior)
• Lillith/ Lilly: Charley Burns (freshman)
• Orcus/Ronnie: Brandon Urikh ( junior)
• The Great Mage Steve: Logan Wrona (senior)
• Farrah the Faerie: Ava Heiler ( junior)
• Evil Tina: Aurora Sousanis ( junior)
• Evil Gabbi: Sydney Studer (sophomore)
Ensemble of teens, cheerleaders and monsters
• Meredith Batcheller ( junior)
• Morgan Collens ( junior)
• Tamsin Considine (Freshman)
• Parker Fry (Freshman)
• Jacob Gonzales (Freshman)
• Amanda (Freshman)
• Maya Shepard ( junior)
• Russell Sousanis (freshman)
Crew
Producers
Ol inger
• Zeddicus Ball ( junior)
• Dayna Starr (Sophomore)
• Layla Dagle ( junior)
• Jordan Rowan (freshman)
• Meena Moritz (freshman)
• Seth Manter (sophomore)
• Luthor Fleischauer (Alum)
• Ryan Miller (Alum)
• Berkley Schools
• Berkley High School Drama Department
• Dennis Remer, MDR Creative
• Tony Lewis, AV Club, LLC
• Michael Perysian, AV Club, LLC