A COVID Musical Experience
In January of 2020 I auditioned for ‘Anne and Gilbert’ at Beaumaris Theatre.
My plan was to do the musical during my gap year.
My thoughts were to audition for as many things as I could, and see whether I loved it enough to pursue acting in 2021.
Although this is not how 2020 panned out to be.
Our 16 Month Journey
February, we started rehearsals, getting right into Act 1.
Hearing the warnings that Victoria was going into lockdown because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, we knew our time of rehearsing was going to be postponed.
Not knowing the full grasp of COVID at this stage, we thought we’d be fine for shows at the end of May.
Sunday the 22nd of March we had our first run through of Act 1.
My mother as a fellow Canadian, came into this rehearsal as the dialect coach. She was the first and only person of the public to see Act 1 until 2021.
On the 23rd of March Victoria went into lockdown.
And so our journey of this COVID musical began.
During the rest of 2020 we received weekly updates from our amazing director Deb Keyt.
This included a count down that lasted weekly until opening night in 2021.
“It's 14 weeks since our last rehearsal, approximately 232 till our next rehearsal and 327 days till opening night 2021.”
-Deb 28th June Weekly Facebook Update
It was a great way to keep our goal in mind, never losing hope that we would last till opening night.
Throughout the year we did character journals, and day in the 1890’s challenges, sharing all our experiences and findings together on Facebook.
Needless to say, Deb had a huge impact on keeping the cast unified and excited for this musical.
As well as meeting for a picnic at the end of 2020, we met again for our first official rehearsal back on 21st of February 2021.
It is truly remarkable to look back and see all that we persevered, to get the show up running. THE SHOW MUST GO ON!
Thank you to Deb and the production team for never giving up on ‘Anne and Gilbert’.
Rehearsals
As expected, there was drastic changes to rehearsals.
Not only to the scheduling but also to the way the rehearsals had to run.
As a performer you can adapt to anything.
That’s not to say that it wasn’t strange to be sitting 1.5m apart when learning our musical songs.
Additionally, wearing masks when blocking and running through scenes, made it harder to be able to read off of the other characters onstage.
Only until closer to the performance were we allowed to take the masks off.
And of course, the kissing scenes had to be held off until performances. C’est la vie
Being adaptable as a performer is one of your best virtues.
From a staffing perspective, we also had to change Musical Directors in 2021.
Of course this was a huge change in rehearsal dynamics, but like everything else, we adapted.
Friendships & Gratitude
During a time when life can seem fragile, and things can change at any moment, we come to appreciate each moment more.
Our whole cast and crew came each day to the theatre with such gratitude.
The fact that we were able to do each and every show, was a blessing.
The show in itself spoke of the people of Prince Edward Island (PEI) who come together in all walks of life.
Journeying through the highs of love between Anne’s good friend Diana & Fred, and the lows of the death of Mrs. Lynde’s husband.
Through it all, they stick together as one.
Seeing the love and care they have for one another, it is no surprise that they are so proud to be from PEI.
“If you’re pleased as punch with where you live, and proud of what you do. You’re island, you’re island through and through!”
And with such, we carried this same mindset backstage.
I truly believe that there will never be a cast and crew quite like this one.
The amount of passion, and heart that everyone put in, is truly special.
But that won’t stop me from searching and taking that same mindset everywhere I go!
BEFORE YOU GO!
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