A NOVEL VIRUS. AN UNPRECEDENTED TIME.
Drawing the Curtain W By Dr. Mike Lopinto ’91, ’93, ‘02
hat does dance look like without touch? How do we produce a musical or play instruments with masks? How do costume fittings happen with no contact? How do we manage faculty lessons and mentoring when closeness isn’t possible? “It’s just baffling,” said Dr. Mike Lopinto while evaluating the last few months of the pandemic which canceled performances and shuttered theatres here and nationwide. “This town is an arts town. To not have the bustle of rehearsals and performances, is like nothing any of us have ever experienced.” The regular arc of the semester that culminated in hundreds of performances was halted – a set for the theatrical production was left half-constructed in a dark theatre; choreography was abandoned as everyone retreated to their homes; more than 100 music events already in final preparations, went dark. Most importantly, faculty and staff had to figure out a way to help students move forward in their degrees. Academic classes continued until the end of the semester but were all online. Faculty and students were all challenged with having to adapt quickly to various online platforms in order to be able to continue their academic instruction. Recitals and performances were presented in non-traditional ways – performed absolutely alone or with recordings by one of our staff or graduate collaborative pianists, or with a commercial recording. Being incredibly resourceful, the USM faculty and students found a variety of solutions and made them all work. Our creativity and ability as artists to solve problems has served us well.
The crisis has reinforced the need for our faculty and students to have available, and be well-versed in state-of-theart recording technology. This is vitally important for not only situations like this, but critical for the future. Both the School of Music and the School of Performing and Visual Arts (SPVA) have worked through the summer to assure concert, performances and exhibitions for fall. While physical distancing is expected to be a large consideration, livestreaming and innovative rehearsal practices will be utilized. “The SPVA has committed to continuing to produce live theatre, dance performances and exhibitions through the time of COVID-19” said Stacy Reischman Fletcher, director of the School of Performing and Visual Arts. “The need for what we do as artists has never been more valuable and important for our students, faculty and audiences as we all attempt to navigate these unprecedented times.” Dr. Jay Dean, director of the School of Music, added, “The arts and athletics are the two main windows for people to see into the University, and our ability to perform music for people outside the University is vitally important to our future. We intend for our musical window to stay wide open so people in Hattiesburg and the rest of the world can continue to enjoy and benefit from the many artistic events we will offer in the future. Albert Einstein once said, ‘In the midst of every crisis lies great opportunity.’ This crisis has caused us to think in ways we have never thought before, and we are now creating new opportunities for our students, our concertgoers and our alumni.”
ALUMNI ACTION Support the work of arts students by visiting the virtual student art shows, performances, concerts and recitals. When possible, attend a live event on campus and be one of the few audience members who can sit in the theater for a performance. Visit USM.edu/Arts for updates and announcements.
