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live theatre takes a
180 turn to re-open. For the theatre industry where the crowds create the culture of the theatre, the options appear very limited when the people are not able to attend. The What’s On Digest took a deep look at the new playing field for both the Tidemark and the Sid Williams Theatre which have for years created spaces that invited people in to a full experience of sound, lighting and special effects amplified by the audience of our two communities. On the announcement of COVID-19 shut-downs, both theatres faced the enormous task of cancelling hundreds of performances, reimbursing 1000’s of transactions or issuing credits. After the initial work was done it was full swing to re-engage the public and figure out how. Jim Kent the managing and technical director of the Tidemark has a history of technical and production knowledge and with the staff they managed to hone in on the key change which was the delivery of performances. Jim, who is driven by
solution finding, went down copious worm holes of technical solutions, they knew the technology was there, making them happen along with the steep learning curves was going to be challenging. Deborah Renz, managing director of the Sid Williams had a different approach by considering utilizing the theatre in different ways. Having a building that was built for 500 but could now only be used by 50 people was challenging, Deborah says. It became obvious that technology was going to fill the gaps. The theatres were collaborative in findings of technology and equipment however, both with similar commitments to be safe, they proceeded at different paces to achieve new structures and procedural outcomes. Turning to live streaming equipment meant it had to be better than a webcam on the kitchen table, there is no room for that in the theatre, Jim says. Eventually the right mix of screens, cameras and technology was found that could bring enhanced live
