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Think inside the box: In-person theatre during Covid

Tips for Teachers Skills/Technique
When the pandemic hit, Connecticut drama instructor Michael Calderone had an idea that enabled his students to incorporate full-face coverings into a performance. He explains how he did it.
(l-r) Joey, Eli, and Will - three of Michael's students, modelling their masks
(l-r) Joey, Eli, and Will - three of Michael's students, modelling their masks

I am what can faithfully be described as a low-tech drama instructor. At Hopkins, the small independent day school in southern Connecticut where I teach, I pride myself on shows done simply: I prefer as few lighting cues as possible; live sound effects over recorded; I even teach an ensemble class that utilises living tableau rather than constructed scenery.

Yet, when COVID-19 hit, we were all confined to our homes, connected by webcam technology, and forced to produce our spring show as a podcast instead of a live performance. My graduating seniors had their final production, but sadly it was not ‘on stage’.

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