THE ARTS
By Katie Roberts
The Art of Survival
Local students of the arts are keeping their dreams alive as instructors embrace technology and get creative
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Photo by Matthew Schipper
his pandemic has shut almost everything down, but local arts organizations are using technology and following CDC guidelines to keep students engaged and safe. It hasn’t been easy, for both students and teachers, but the show must go on here in Southwest Florida. And it has. Gulfshore Playhouse in Naples recently sold out all performances for its The Addams Family student production. All performers wore face coverings during rehearsals and performances (see photo, left). In addition, house capacity remained at 50%, with seats properly distanced. Two new productions are planned for December: Little Women and Ebenezer. Little Women takes the stage Dec. 4-6 while Ebenezer performance dates are Dec. 17-19. Gulfshore Playhouse also has been offering online theater education and experiences for young actors in the community. “Throughout the pandemic, we created new immersive audience engagement programs – Artful Distancing and Broadway Photos. This page, top: The recent KidzAct production of Moana, Jr. Left: Gianni Gizzi in Gulfshore Playhouse’s production of The Addams Family. Facing page, top: Violet O’Donnell participates in an Irish dance Zoom class at home. Middle: Dancers rehearse The Nutcracker at The Naples Academy of Ballet. Bottom: Laura Ferranti of The Vocal Ring School teaches a voice lesson via Zoom.
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neafamily.com
NEAPOLITANfamily • September 2020
