pandamaniacs a group of alums who decided to connect in lieu of social distancing The Pandemaniacs were formed by a group of creativeminded, 1970s LEC alums who made the most of social distancing over the past two years. Most of them majored in theatre, dance, music or visual arts and have formed strong friendships with each other even long after their years at LEC. In fact, many of them worked together professionally following graduation. Although invited guests join the scheduled Saturday zoom calls from time to time, the core group consists of 22 individuals from 11 states and two countries.
“Of all the arts, theatre allows for the longest, closest and most productive interaction of faculty, staff and students. After 50 years, I think we prove that every Saturday afternoon,” said Niles Wheeler, who attended LEC in the early 1970s, was a member of the Theatre Department for six years and whose mother and aunt graduated from LEC.
Elise-Anne Dealy ’77 is one of the group’s international members. She lives in Toronto, Canada. She worked as an intern in the theatre department for two years after Liz McMahon ’74 explains that the meetings started in graduating and then moved to Toronto. “I look forward April 2020 beginning with her birthday. “We tell stories, to our Saturday evening zoom gatherings. Although I talk about a million different topics, look at collections of had kept in touch infrequently with some of my fellow photos and have even done some readers’ theatre – every Pandemaniacs since I had left LEC, it has been truly Saturday is fresh, unscripted and unexpected.” McMahon wonderful, especially during these pandemic years, to get continued, “Our zooms are not about the past, though together virtually with my friends. While many decades our hearts are linked by our Lake Erie shared experiences.” have passed since we were at LEC, I feel closer to them than ever,” said Dealy. Candice Cain Dunnigan ’77 says that the group can be best summed up in the Steven Sondheim song, In Old According to John Jacobs ’77, if it were not for the onset Friends from Merrily We Roll because it is truly a “unique of COVID-19, the group of surprisingly deft Zoomers blending of people with talent and heart,” as the song’s would not exist. “This digital gathering of friends grew out lyrics state.
