The 2020-21 school year may look drastically different. However, the Ellis Theater Guild still plans on continuing their exploration of the theatrical arts. In terms of productions, CFTA director Chris McGriff has planned yet another eventful year with plenty of new challenges, one of which is a musical TV show.
This year’s fall production will be an eight-episode musical TV series written by McGriff called “Show Day”. Set in 2118, Show Day tells the story of a world struck by a pandemic, similar to the COVID-32 pandemic featured in “Jury Trial” which is the production from last spring. After being trapped in a theater for 75 years, the characters have separated themselves into groups, all working to please the secretive “Director” or risk being cut—literally. Tension builds as a mysterious stranger appears among them. Still, the show must go on.
Show Day will require students to explore a brand-new style of performance. Actors will learn the intricacies of screen acting while the tech team will explore new areas including editing and camera work. In order to further accommodate social distancing, all filming and recording will be conducted according to social distancing guidelines. Each team member will have a designated space that serves as a dressing room, similar to trailers on professional TV sets, and all of the singing in the show will be pre-recorded. McGriff has also found a way to incorporate masks into some parts of the show.
After “Show Day”, there will be a virtual play festival available to students who are interested in doing theater during H-Term this winter. This project is unlike previous productions since it will be entirely student-run. Students will have an opportunity to write, direct, and produce their original works, which will air at the festival hosted on Zoom. This will be a chance for students to experience the process of putting together a show or try out a new role.
Finally, the spring term production will be a rendition of “Into the Woods”. This will not be Hill’s first performance of this particular show. Nevertheless, McGriff has some special surprises for that show that he does not want to give away yet.
COVID-19 may have caused drastically different circumstances for everyone, but that will not stop the Ellis Theater Guild. McGriff promises that shows will be of the same quality as any previous performances.
“This year is the year of new…it’s really about creating new ways to do theater.” McGriff said. Indeed, Hill’s theater program does have some fresh ideas to bring to life this year.