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November 2020
Senior Chloe Carlson and freshman Micah Derrer redo their scene to correct their mannerisms according to director Anna Nickell’s critiques in the auditorium during practice on Nov. 2. Photo by Emma Tomlinson.
The show must go on Theater puts on The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon Grace Mossing mossigra000@hsestudents.org
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ew York City canceled their Broadway shows in March and the hiatus will remain until at least May 30, 2021, according to Broadway’s website. The COVID-19 pandemic has shut down most of the arts and their shows for the past eight months, but the theater program at FHS has found a way to put on a play. The Brothers Grimm Spectaculathon was not the first pick for the school play, but they had to adjust and adapt due to the COVID-19 precautions. The story line combines different traditional Grimm Brothers tales into one cohesive plot. Director and theater teacher Anna Nickell found the play perfect for several reasons. “It is just really funny, and I think we could all use some laughs right now,” Nickell said. “Second, it is chaotic, fast-paced, makes little sense at times, on purpose, which I think is a great reflection of our current times.” The play can vary depending on the number of people in the cast or performance circumstances. If the school were to shut down before the play debuts, the cast could still perform a show on the Zoom platform with a different version of the script. The show will be different due to COVID-19 restrictions, as all cast members will be wearing masks. “Traditional acting involves a lot of voice work and facial expression, which is obviously tough to accomplish with half the face covered,” Nickell said. “We have decided that performing in masks is our safest option, so we’ve had the additional challenge of incorporating masks into some of the jokes and physical comedy of the show.” Senior Savanna Jensen, who plays Narrator One in the production, believes that the addition of masks into the show has been an obstacle but also a way to push herself in her acting. “We’ve had to get really good at using our eyebrows and our eyes to express all of our emotions,” Jensen said. “It’s been a cool challenge as an actor.” This production is also different from other plays in more ways than just COVID-19 restrictions and rules. The play uses the tactic of breaking the fourth wall, which is when actors speak directly to the audience. For reference, productions tend to perform like they are in that sense as that person, while when breaking the fourth wall the person is recognizing that they are an actor in a show.
