COVID has been a real showstopper across the board. Though not ideal, other industries have adapted fairly well to social distancing and the use of face masks.
But covering the face of an actor is akin to removing a restaurant server’s arms — it’s their most important tool.
If any industry, or group of people, could find innovative, impressive ways to carry on, it’s these performing virtuosos. When the universe tried to destroy collective creativity with the coronavirus, these gifted minds found a way, understanding as they do that humans depend on creativity and the welcome escape of a darkened theater for the balance between normalcy and chaos. No one understands it more than artists.
When the initial order came out to close operations, most of the theaters in town were coming to the end of their season. Make no mistake, the shutdown still cheated them out of crucial membership drives and fundraising opportunities. As time progressed and other businesses began to open, theaters stayed dark, sitting in silence while actors went unpaid, their creativity stifled. Something had to be done.
That’s when Waterfront Playhouse teamed up with US1 Radio 104.1 in a brilliant partnership. Beginning in May, they started presenting shows to the ears of fans — staging live radio broadcasts. Just like those classic nights of gathering ‘round and tuning into the ol’ transistor for entertainment. October listeners heard “The War of the Worlds,” and though November will be skipped for turkey day festivities and the opening of “Typhoon Judy,” December will bring a reading of the timeless classic “A Christmas Carol.”
Broadcasts are currently scheduled through April (along with a season of live shows).
“Our actors love doing the radio shows,” said Waterfront artistic director Tom Thayer. “It’s nice for them to have even a little paycheck coming in these days.”
Erin Stover Sickmen, artistic director for The Studios of Key West, agreed.
“We are responsible for supporting our audience as well as our actors, crew and artists,” she said. With changes having to be made, improvisation is the edge needed to carry on and bring in money for paychecks. Online shows were the logical answer, given the newly enhanced ability of technology to reach viewers. (Home theater, literally? Perfect.) The Studios of Key West has been livestreaming their popular “Between Two Palms” series, and Fringe Theater has its own streaming series, “Fringe Fridays,” with new theater highlights each week.
Still, the goal is to bring theater back to its traditional, live form.
Key West Theater has dipped its toe into that pond, and recently received high marks from audience members and performers when it hosted the Big Bawdy Boo-lesque show over Halloween weekend. Tables were socially distanced and audiences willingly complied with mask rules. The venue’s management, Rams Head Group, also has used the city’s largest outdoor venue at the Coffee Butler Key West Amphitheater at Truman Waterfront for its Sunset Series at the Amp, a Saturday evening series of affordable ($10) shows featuring multiple local musicians. Each show starts at 5 p.m.
Theatre XP founder/producer Bob Bowersox took it upon himself to examine how the public felt about in-person theatrical events amid a pandemic. He circulated a four-question survey among 2,600 patrons, asking if they felt comfortable attending shows during COVID. He learned that some 20% of respondents were not comfortable doing anything public until the pandemic was over, while about 67% felt comfortable attending live theatre again — if it could be outdoors. The remaining 13% were undecided.
The answer was clear: Shows had to move outside. But moving live productions to open-air space is not simple. It requires daily setup and breakdown of lighting, sound systems, intricate sets and delicate costumes, plus socially distanced tables for audience members. In absolute serendipitous timing, The Studios of Key West completed construction of its rooftop event space, Hugh’s View, providing room for small shows al fresco. Their recently staged, sold-out reading of a Theatre XP show proved major successes: Not only could they sanitize everything easily, but crowd control was surprisingly efficient. They sold “pods” (cocktail tables set six feet apart, per CDC guidelines) as their seating options that can accommodate up to four people. Staggered check-in times allowed for small groups on the elevator, as well as through the indoor studio spaces along the way.
Taking a similar approach, Red Barn Theatre will use pods for its outdoor courtyard performances. Audience arrangement will be based on ticket sales each night, spaced appropriately in groups of two, three or four people. The theater will also offer tableside cocktail service to avoid crowded lines at the bar.
“All of the theaters are doing everything we can to get live performances back to our patrons as safely as possible,” Bowersox said. And truthfully, the industry is the last group that wants a virus — no one wants to miss a curtain call. All safety measures are key for rehearsals. The Waterfront has even adopted a new online ticketing system that automatically determines socially distanced seat assignments based on individual ticket sales.
Perhaps the most fascinating plan of action for COVID has been by Theatre XP. The Association for the Blind has been recording TV shows with narration to help blind people understand what is happening on screen. Bowersox has been recording his plays with actors and a narrator in a studio (located behind Key West Theater on Eaton Street). This will help add variety to the association’s selection, and helps a writer get his work out to a larger audience.
The collaboration among theater companies as well as with US1 Radio proves that even a global pandemic cannot stop creative flow.
Support for the arts is always needed to keep the Key West community full of enrichment and diversity. Donations, ticket purchases, even volunteer efforts all help their efforts.
The radio live readings are a terrific way for those with stage fright to be an actor. If you would like to help fundraise, sell tickets, or even sanitize spaces before/after shows, extra hands are in demand and highly appreciated.
Contact Tom Thayer at Waterfront Playhouse, pretty much anyone at The Studios of Key West, Mimi McDonald at Red Barn, Bob Bowersox at Theatre XP, Kelly Norman at Key West Theater, and Rebecca Tomlinson at the Fringe. All seasons and show information can be found on their websites. Ingenious adaptations of shows are being achieved in spite of COVID and this deserves live appreciation: locals supporting locals.
