STRAYER ADOPTION

PANDEMIC PERFORMANCE

CPHS theatre to perform play “The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge” with COVID-19 precautions

BY MARY MARCINEK of contact-tracing reaching cast members, reporter every single role was either double-cast or understudied.

That time of year has finally rolled “There’s a lot of teamwork in theatre,” 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.” stacles at the theatre department this year, Even with major changes and restricthe fall play will be just as exciting and tions, the cast and crew of the play have enjoyable as previous years. Premiering Nov. 13, CPHS’s production of “The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge” will hit the playhouse. This drama follows the ‘‘ I think it’s really fun to have this big cast because I think the more, the merrier. It’s always nice to have people gain more experience a very positive attitude about the process. Cast member senior Connor Phutawon, believes that having a larger cast is beneficial, as he thinks that it familiar Ebenezer for years to come, and makes the producScrooge, who has re- we do a good job keep- tion even stronger. verted back to his old ing things safe. “I think it’s reways and is now su- ally fun to have this ing Jacob Marley and senior Connor Phutawon big cast because I the spirits of Christ- think the more, the mas for the distur- merrier,” Phutawon bance they caused last holiday season. said. “It’s always nice to have people gain

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.” in their show production. The play itself The increased quantity of members was even chosen to flow with safety pre- doesn’t only go for the cast; the play’s cautions. crew numbers have also increased. Be-

“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 construcsaid. tion in place. Even though Price has con-

In addition to this, due to the high risk cerns about the changes COVID-19 has

Pictured from left to right, seniors Connor Phutawon and I of “The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge.” The show is set to premiere on Nov. 13. Seats have been limited to promote social distancing and tickets are currently for sale on the 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