Well, it's been a while...

It's been a few months since my last post, and in that time the world has been turned upside with the COVID-19 pandemic. I've remained healthy, safe, and employed when so many have not been been as lucky. During the these last few months, this is what has been happening with me...

First, the winter term at Hanover was moved to online instruction at the end of March. During that term, I was teaching performance courses, so it took quick reimagining, but I think we found success by the end. Our spring term, which only last the month of May, was cancelled and my newly developed course on Disney was shelved.

I was quixotic in thinking the pandemic would be over quickly, but around the same time, the summer season at Lees-McRae Summer Theatre was cancelled, which was a major blow for me, personally and artistically. I always look forward to spending my summers in the mountains, and by the time the wise decision to cancel the season was made, I had put in hundreds of hours of work in my role as Managing Director. I was scheduled to direct The Drowsy Chaperone, a dream project, and take on the role of Trunchbull in Matilda, a dream role that season. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little heartbroken. At this time, we're hoping we'll be able to present a season in 2021, which I'm keeping my fingers crossed happens!

However, one of the silver linings of LMST's season being cancelled was I had my first summer "off" since 2006. This gave me the chance to teach an online summer course at Hanover. I use technology in my teaching regularly, but this gave me a chance to really develop advanced instruction in this challenging and rewarding modality. I also bought a 1995 pop-up camper - yes, you read that right - and remodeled it. It was a fun project and I've enjoyed the handful of times I've taken it out camping. I'm looking forward to using it more this spring! Here's a few before and after shots!

I also became the chair of the Department of Theatre at Hanover during the summer, which has allowed me to use my skills in organization and planning to benefit the department and the college as well. I'm looking forward to the next few years in this role as we work to build the program at Hanover.

Not to be outdone by the spring and summer, the fall term has presented its own unique challenges, most being connected to the pandemic. Due to safety guidelines, we've had to develop our productions for the digital realm. My production was a collection monologues, inspired by the Spoon River Anthology by Edgar Lee Masters. The project, which we called Return to Spoon River was a rewarding experience for me. While I miss being in the same room with collaborators and the community that we build in rehearsals, being able to work with students one-on-one to develop their pieces was incredibly enjoyable for me. Also, being able to write original underscoring for this project was a great opportunity for me to explore sound design, which is always an interest of mine.

Well, I think that gets us caught up. We've just finished our fall term and I'm busy planning on my winter courses. My 2021 spring course Shakespeare in England has been cancelled because of the need to suspend all travel courses, but that has given me a chance to use the work I had completed on the Disney course cancelled in spring 2020.

I'm lucky to have my health and be secure during this difficult time. It's been an artistically depressing year, but with the news of vaccines and the possibility of future mask mandates, I'm hopeful we'll be able create in the same room, and perform with a live audience again soon! Until then, wishing you all safety and health!