The Drowsy Chaperone
Director: Nick Vargas
Choreographer: Jeri Hammond
Music Director: Todd Gordon
Assistant Director/Creative Technician: Jamey Miller
At the beginning of April, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, I was invited to take part in a unique artistic endeavor with Wheelock Family Theatre’s teen ensemble production of The Drowsy Chaperone, which was to be performed live, in a completely digital setting. With my background in film and television mixed with my love for theatre, I quickly jumped on board as an Assistant Director and Creative Technician. I assisted the creative team in the development of clever staging techniques and the practical operations related to the livestream.
The show was performed on Zoom, with most solo numbers performed live. Ensemble numbers with complicated vocals were pre-recorded and mixed by me using Adobe Audition, and some dance breaks and particularly difficult scenes were prerecorded and edited using Adobe Premiere.
This project taught me that live theatre can still be produced even without its most vital asset: a shared physical space. I hope to continue to help theatres produce their shows virtually until it is safe for us to perform in person again.