FOR LU THEATRE, THE SHOW MUST GO ON

FOR LU THEATRE, THE SHOW MUST GO ON: STUDENTS GRATEFUL TO CONTINUE ENTERTAINING AUDIENCES

As one of the few collegiate theatre programs in the country taking the stage during COVID-19, Liberty’s Department of Theatre Arts has brought back its postponed productions and staged new ones while adhering to safety guidelines this semester. At Liberty, the saying is true: “The show must go on.”

The possible postponement of the musical “The Drowsy Chaperone” and the COVID-19 pandemic itself were not main topics of conversation in the days before students left for Spring Break in March,” theatre arts chair Linda Nell Cooper said. The cast and director Andy Geffken had already begun rehearsals, and opening night was set for April.

But when they returned after break, as increasing concerns about the pandemic arose and classes moved to an online format, rehearsals were paused. The cast and crew still held out hope that they could resume in two weeks; however, one week before opening, the show was canceled.

“It really was heartbreaking because we were so excited to make people laugh and bring joy to everyone at that time,” said junior Sydney Borchers, who played the show’s titular Chaperone. “We were all so excited for the seniors to be able to do one last show, and with such a small, tight-knit cast, it felt like a family.”

Over the summer, they received the good news that the musical would return to open the adjusted 2020-21 theatre season. The seniors who had since graduated were invited to assume their roles (three accepted the offer).

As a lighthearted musical comedy infused with the message of musical theater’s unique ability to uplift and entertain, Borchers says that “The Drowsy Chaperone” proved to be the perfect production to welcome audiences back. “It’s such a silly, goofy show, and we thought last semester was the perfect time to do it, but then God basically said, ‘No, now — this semester — is the perfect time,’” Borchers added. “Our Town,” the production that followed, told a solemn story of the value of loved ones and dealing with life’s uncertainties, which Cooper said continued to share timely insight. “‘Our Town’ talks about enjoying every detail of every day and realizing that even the mundane is significant, and I think the pandemic slowed everyone down to see that,” she said.

Since the start of the semester, LU Theatre has followed the proper COVID-19 safety guidelines, including mask requirements and proper sanitizing, among others, in the pre-production process. Adhering to state social distancing restrictions, the department limited audiences for each show.

Cooper said that the ample size of Liberty’s Tower Theater and amount of rehearsal spaces have been major factors in the department’s ability to safely perform in a time when many other college and professional companies cannot. The department was also able to financially afford all of the necessary items to protect performers and audiences.

Even with the extra precautions, the students are thankful to do what they love in front of an audience.

“It’s a tremendous blessing and I’m so glad that the Lord has sustained us and allowed us to continue to do this,” Senior Christopher Ward, a member of the “Drowsy Chaperone,” said. “It was definitely different throughout the rehearsal process of having to wear a mask and stay distanced .… but I think we all realized the incredible blessing of what we were able to do.”

The fall semester will conclude with the Alluvion Stage Company’s production of “A Christmas Carol: The Musical” (Dec. 3-13), with tickets going on sale Nov. 9. Shows will continue in the spring with “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” (Feb. 18-28), “Decipher: An Unpenned Story of the Civil War” (March 26–April 10), “Crazy For You” (April 1625), “Doubt: A Parable” (April 30–May 9). Visit Theatre Arts’ website for all dates, times, and ticket

by Ryan Klinker, Liberty University Office of Communications & Public Engagement

information for the 2020-21 season.