They wore pajamas, were wrapped in blankets, and carried cups of Dutch Bros and Starbucks as they gathered to celebrate the beginning of their senior year and the almost end of the soothing summer weather. The Class of 2020-2021, while practicing social distancing and wearing the latest fashion in face masks, gathered together at 6:00 a.m. Sept.
No one has to tell you this year has been tough, but it has been especially tough for those in the performing arts. With our livelihoods in danger, we had to get creative in the way we make music, tell stories, and create experiences for both our company members and our community. I cannot tell you how grateful I am for the wonderful, resilient, patient and talented cast, crew, and creative team I have had the pleasure of creating this piece of art. Making a movie musical during a pandemic, with theatre closures, COVID-19 scares, late materials, snow days, re-casting, and schedule changes has been the reality of trying to create performance opportunities at a time when performing, in the traditional sense, cannot happen. We could have decided to put off doing a musical until theatres opened again and things returned to normal, but we decided we could not allow our students to lose one more opportunity if we could do something about it. Putting together a safe, engaging movie-maki