First production in new Westfield Playhouse will stage both in-person and via livestream
If you are planning to stage community theater performance in 2020, you must think about both safety and accessibility. Main Street Productions (MSP) has spent a great deal of time and effort putting safety first as they planned their first show at the new Westfield Playhouse, 220 N. Union St., Westfield.
“The Monologue Show” is going to be a different kind of production than either cast, crew or patrons have experienced before at MSP. Of course, it will be entertaining, but it will also be as safe as possible for everyone involved.
Director Brandi Davis told The Reporter MSP picked this show not only because they were able to license the script for both in-person and livestream performances, but also because the play lends itself to social distancing for the cast.
Tatyana Hobbs is one of many cast members getting ready to perform this out-of-the-box comedy. (Photo provided by MSP)
“It is a series of monologues that a theater class has put together for their annual production,” Davis said. “The premise is that the students have created their own monologues. You have the disheartened, underpaid teacher who is just kind of over it and trying to lead them all to put on a production even though some of the students are really into it and some of them are just not.”
This is not a traditional show. Patrons will not see a solid beginning, middle and end or a solid plotline because each character is telling their own story.
“You have one student who is talking about how he wants to be a brain surgeon,” Davis said. “Another one talks about how he went to an interview at McDonald’s and it went horribly wrong. Another student talks about a night of stealing garden gnomes.”
From the beginning, this production was planned with a great deal of flexibility built-in because all of the pandemic variables could – and did – force MSP to make changes along the way.
“When we did auditions, we did them completely virtually with one exception: that was my son, because he lives in my house,” Davis said. “All the actors recorded audition videos and emails the videos with their audition forms. I went through all them in my living room. That’s how I selected my cast.”
Davis was working with her young actors knowing that this play would go forward, but not how it would be presented to the public. MSP was hoping to be able to stage the production entirely in-person, but they also knew they may have had to do the whole show virtually.
One of the variables was whether or not MSP would get the keys to their new playhouse in time for the show. That and the pandemic led to the possibility that each actor would film their final monologue at home and that all of those individual pieces would have been edited together to an online-only production. Another option was having each actor film at the playhouse if they had taken possession of it and it the pandemic had made it impossible to do any kind of in-person production.
In the end, MSP does have possession of their new playhouse in downtown Westfield and the COVID-19 guidelines from the CDC as well as the state and county health departments do allow for limited seating at live events. MSP is only allowing 25 percent seating capacity and opening night on Friday will be in-person only, but Saturday night and Sunday afternoon’s productions will give people the option for in-person or livestream viewing.
Davis explains that the new stage is abundantly large and the play is structured in a way that allows for actors to be safely social distancing during the show.
“The reason I chose this particular script is because the author gives a lot of leeway to theaters,” David said. “He allows some of the monologues to be cut if you don’t want to use them all. If one of my actors gets ill at the last minute, we could remove their stuff without affecting the overall script because it is not a continuous story. Because it is a very flexible casting, I could have one person play three different characters or three actors playing those characters. That allows a lot of flexibility.”
MSP will stage “The Monologue Show” for one weekend only, Aug. 14-16. Go to westfieldplayhouse.org or call (317) 402-3341 for tickets. In-person seating will be limited to 25 percent capacity and there are several safety guidelines to follow. Those guidelines are available below and at westfieldplayhouse.org/showstickets. There is no limit on the number of people who can enjoy the livestream.
MSP COVID-19 policy
In order to keep patrons as safe as possible during this pandemic, MSP has instituted the following rules:
- Our house capacity will be reduced to 25 percent so that patrons may socially distance. By keeping every other row empty, we can maintain six feet between each patron (or family group of patrons) as is recommended by the CDC.
- We will have hand sanitizer in the lobby and in front of the bathrooms for patron use.
- Attendees are required to wear a mask during their time in the building. If a person arrives at the theatre without a mask, they may purchase one from us for one dollar or they will be asked to leave. All masks must be properly worn, covering both the nose and the mouth, or a staff member will ask you to correct it. If a patron refuses to correct the mask to proper form, he/she will be asked to leave.
- To ensure mandatory social distance in the auditorium, we will require that all patrons have prior reservations. Families who wish to be seated together should buy their tickets together. There will be no walk-in seating. Reservations will close TWO hours prior to curtain.
- There will be a check in point where patrons will have their temperature taken (temperature must be below 99.9) and will be asked a short list of health questions. These questions would refer to any recent NEW symptoms…unrelated to any preexisting conditions that are ongoing for the patron. These will include:
Are you currently experiencing any of the following symptoms related to Covid-19 that are NOT PREEXISTING CONDITIONS?
* Fever or chills
* Cough
* Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
* Fatigue
* Muscle or body aches
* Headache
* New loss of taste or smell
* Sore throat
* Congestion or runny nose
* Nausea or vomiting
* Diarrhea
In the past 14 days have you experienced any of the above symptoms related to Covid-19?
In the past 14 days have you been exposed to anyone who has had symptoms related to COVID-19 (see above list)?
- We will not be able to sell concessions during the pandemic in order to lessen possible exposure to the virus. When the pandemic ends, we will return to offering concessions. Outside food or beverages are not allowed to be brought into the theatre.
- We will have no regular paper programs. Programs will be digitally acquired by each patron. Patrons will be given a QR code to access the program on their phone. However, we ask that this access be done prior to the show, not during the performance.
- We would ask that patrons do not congregate in the lobby prior to or after the shows. When in the lobby or house, patrons should maintain six-foot spaces between themselves and others. As weather permits, if patrons wish to take pictures, they should plan to do those activities outside in front of the theatre.
- If you have any symptoms of illness (see above list), please stay home.