By Mariella Mendez
The performing arts department at Middlesex Community College has thought of a creative new way for students to perform this fall after the cancellation of their spring musical due to the pandemic. Karen Oster, MCC's Chair of Performing Arts, was inspired by the changes made to Qui Nguyen's play "She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms” after Nguyen created a virtually friendly version. Oster and the theatre department then built cubicles that allowed students to remain at a reasonable distance from one another.
Photo courtesy of MCC Theater Department
The show is streamed online via web cameras that are given to each student. Shane Bourgeois, MCC's Sound and Media Designer explains that there are 8 cameras that are linked to a “main show computer” in groups of four. The theatre department has figured out a way to control cameras to capture the actors and special effects while the other computer “pulls the show together.”
Oster and the department also came up with the idea of painting the cubicles green in order to add special effects. The video feed is then polished and shown via zoom.
Photo courtesy of MCC Theater Department
MCC began the rehearsal via zoom and had the student’s transfer to the Academic Arts Center upon the completion of the cubicles. Many precautionary measures were taken upon the students’ arrival, as they were instructed to wear masks, have their temperature taken, and remain socially distanced.
Karen Oster has been able to build and establish a safe environment for the students of MCC to unite and continue their performances.
Middlesex Community College will be performing Ngyuen’s play live via zoom on September 25-27 at 7 pm. Visit https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DKRxTaDLS-ilBA50OhVuBw to register to stream the show.