Bored in quarantine? Watch WHS' fall play this weekend
Every aspect of Winnacunnet life has changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the theater department. The annual fall play had to adapt to these circumstances. The play will be recorded and shown on the WHTV YouTube channel on Friday, December 4 at 7 pm and Saturday, December 5 at 4 pm.
Students are performing “10 Ways to Survive Life in Quarantine” by Don Zolidis.
“It was written so that it could be performed remotely, if necessary,” Choral director Patrick Moore said. “It's essentially 30 monologues about different ways to handle a quarantine.”
Moore said auditions began on October 6 and rehearsals have been taking place since then.
“Thankfully, the play is automatically set up to be rehearsed in small groups, so rehearsals have been limited to about 10 students at a time,” Moore said. “We have been rehearsing with masks, socially distanced, and students have had to submit a form attesting their health at each rehearsal, as well as having their temperature checked before entering the auditorium.”
Moore said one actor was allowed to remove their mask while the scene was being recorded and everyone else had to be at least 12 feet away with masks on.
“Tyler Hughes and Madison Gakopoulos are the hosts of the play, and Bethany Kimball, Sam Hackett, Matt Merrifield, Liam Perkins and Erin Cropper each play multiple roles.” Moore said, adding there are another 20 or so actors involved in the play.
Senior Madison Gakopoulos said she is happy to be able to have a play at all.
“Getting to perform it in a non traditional manner is still just as fun as doing it in person.” Gakopoulos said.
Moore said the livestream of the play will be free, but donations will be accepted via a GoFundMe page.
“Much of the money for the play comes from our school budget, but additional funds that usually come from ticket sales were lost due to the cancellations of two showings of our musical last spring,” Moore said. “and the lack of live shows for this production, so we will be relying on donations to fund our upcoming Spring Musical, ‘Mamma Mia’.”
Gakopoulos said she is hopeful the spring musical will be in person.
“This will likely include masks and a socially distant audience,” Gakopoulos said. “but I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”
Courtesy Photo/Patrick Moore
Seniors Madison Gakopoulos and Tyler Hughes rehearse for WHS fall play "10 Ways to Survive Life in Quarantine". The play will be broadcast on December 4 and 5.