The show must go on—and go on it did
Posted March 2020
Cub Reporter
Amidst the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the show must go on, so the Performing Arts Department live-streamed the final two shows of their winter production of Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility on March 13 to a collective audience of 300+ screens.
By Governor Kate Brown’s March 12 order, all events that exceeded 250+ participants were to be cancelled/postponed for the coming month. The statement also stated that all "non-essential school-associated gatherings" were to be cancelled while, at the time, schools stayed open. The news shocked students and staff that early Thursday morning, and the pain sat heavily for the thespians waiting to perform the final shows of Sense and Sensibility.
“Everyone had worked so hard on the show and to not be able to share it was a huge disappointment,” said director David Rosenbaum. “I was especially upset for our understudy cast, which had been working hard since our first rehearsal in December and would not be able to perform at all, and the families of the seniors who didn't get a chance to see the show the first weekend. For a lot of our seniors this is their last time on stage at DDHS and it means a lot to them and their families.”
DDHS had three remaining shows left: March 12 and 13 for the standard cast and March 15 for the understudy cast. Determined to uphold those productions, directors and theatre instructors Michael Givler, Rosenbaum, and technical director Monica Mojica had the idea to live-stream the two shows, one with the standard cast and the other with the understudies. Sparked by the idea, they quickly contacted Hamill in an attempt to acquire the rights to stream the show. Graciously, they were given the rights by Hamill herself, and the casts wasted no time and started preparations for streaming their standard show on Friday, and the understudy show on Sunday.
“To me, with all the stress of everything going on, it was a relief and a blessing,” said senior Julia Archer who played Elinor Dashwood. “We didn’t have to stress about sickness within an audience and we were still able to perform. It felt like we were on the set of a movie. I am so thankful for the experience and hope I get to do it again someday.”
News of a complete campus closure on Saturday, March 14 shook the cast as they moved both showings to Friday, back-to-back from each other, with the support of principal John Bier. The shows garnered collectively 300+ screens on the DDHS Youtube channel, not accounting for individual viewers, closing the curtain on Sense and Sensibility on a high note.
Patrons can still donate to the DDHS performing arts program with checks directed to the school, c/o David Rosenbaum or Michael Givler. The Performing Arts Department is finding ways to gain financial support after the loss of revenue from closing night. All donations are appreciated.
