12 FEATURE
PANDEMIC PERFORMANCE CPHS theatre to perform play “The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge” with COVID-19 precautions of contact-tracing reaching cast members, every single role was either double-cast or understudied. “There’s a lot of teamwork in theatre,” That time of year has finally rolled around again, and the CPHS fall theatre Degenhart said. “We’ve had to stress keepproduction is right around the corner. Al- ing on masks and breaking social distance though COVID-19 has thrown many ob- only when absolutely necessary.” Even with major changes and restricstacles at the theatre department this year, the fall play will be just as exciting and tions, the cast and crew of the play have a very positive atenjoyable as prevititude about the ous years. Premierprocess. Cast memI think it’s really fun ing Nov. 13, CPHS’s ber senior Connor to have this big cast beproduction of “The Phutawon, believes cause I think the more, Trial of Ebenezer that having a largthe merrier. It’s always Scrooge” will hit er cast is beneficial, nice to have people the playhouse. This as he thinks that it gain more experience drama follows the makes the producfor years to come, and familiar Ebenezer tion even stronger. we do a good job keepScrooge, who has re“I think it’s reing things safe. verted back to his old ally fun to have this ways and is now subig cast because I ing Jacob Marley and senior Connor Phutawon think the more, the the spirits of Christmerrier,” Phutawon mas for the distursaid. “It’s always nice to have people gain bance they caused last holiday season. Because of the pandemic, the CPHS more experience for years to come, and we theatre department has seen some changes do a good job keeping things safe.” The increased quantity of members in their show production. The play itself was even chosen to flow with safety pre- doesn’t only go for the cast; the play’s crew numbers have also increased. Becautions. “When I went into the fall play, I knew hind the scenes, stage manager senior I wanted to do a courtroom drama. Court- Grace Price and assistant stage managrooms are naturally distanced, with little er senior Colin Ridgway are in charge physical contact,” director Kit Degenhart of ordering lights, sound, and construction in place. Even though Price has consaid. In addition to this, due to the high risk cerns about the changes COVID-19 has BY MARY MARCINEK reporter
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Pictured from left to right, seniors Connor Phutawon and I of “The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge.” The show is set to pre CPHS theater site. PHOTO BY ROSALIE DEGENHART
brought, she still has an optimistic outlook on the play. “We have eight hour sessions on Saturdays usually, which is a long time to be wearing a mask and social distancing,” Price said. “There’s a lot of things we’d like to do that involve actors being close to each other, but we can’t because of COVID.” A main concern of this production is the audience itself. In order to keep the theatre a safe space, audience restrictions have been put into place. Degenhart voiced concerns about possibly even coming up short
