Bring it On! – Providing Access and Retaining Students in the Arts Amid the COVID Pandemic
General description of the project
The proposed project examines the challenges faculty and staff overcame to create experiential learning in the Holland College of Arts and Media during the height of the pandemic. The committee will share the experience from conception to performance, and successes and lessons learned. As Southeast Missouri State University planned to reopen and offer face to face opportunities for our students, the Holland College of Arts and Media and the Division of Academic Affairs began August 2020 producing Bring it On! By incorporating campus guidelines entitled Protect the Nest and utilizing our partnership with a local health care system, protocols were developed to allow for an on campus live theatrical production to occur while in the midst of the pandemic. As other universities were ceasing all stage performances, art gallery exhibitions, and other experiential learning opportunities for their students, the Holland College of Arts and Media developed strategies and protocols to provide safe access to the arts for both students and patrons. Bring it On! was the first live performance event held on campus since the university moved to remote learning in March 2020.
The musical, Bring it On!, was selected not only because of the age appropriate roles and high-energy show, but also because it allowed our Hispanic and African-American students an outstanding vehicle to showcase their talents. This musical addresses topics of jealousy, betrayals, misunderstandings, discrimination, and friendships with people that are different from yourself. Underrepresented groups in our production included Hispanic, African-American and LGBTQ students. The students cast ranged from being seniors such as Yul Carrion to incoming freshman, Genevieve Cortez. Several area high school students were also cast. Originally a movie, Bring it On! was turned into a musical for the stage. Lin-Manuel Miranda is one of the composers and writers of the music and lyrics.
Because this production was the first live performance during the pandemic, this show helped guide the Holland College of Arts and Media in developing practices utilized for all other arts events. For example, all performers and crew wore masks throughout the rehearsal and build process. Once we opened, performers wore a combination mask/shield in clear vinyl to protect each other. Crew always wore solid masks. Dressing rooms were spaced to provide adequate social distancing, and blocking onstage was created to also provide actors adequate social distance. All properties were assigned to individual actors, and none were shared in the production. Microphones were checked out to the performers for the run, and never handled by crew members. Any touch points, such as door handles, or scenery were disinfected after each use. The university installed water bottle fillers backstage, so that water fountains could be taken offline. All production members health was monitored daily by our performing arts clinic. If any questions arose about exposure to Covid, medical doctors were consulted. The audience was required to wear masks at all times, were seated six feet apart, and provided hand sanitizer when walking into the theatre. A multi-page handbook was created to use for performances that followed this musical.
Technologies
The show opened on August 6, 2020 and closed August 16, 2020. Not only were audiences on our campus entertained in a safe environment, but this show was also streamed online. Family members and patrons from all over the country were able to view from St. Louis, New Jersey, Florida, Utah, and Puerto Rico to name a few places. This was the first musical theatre production streamed at Southeast Missouri State University. Immediately following Bring it On!, the next projects streamed were The Wolves and The New Normal. These plays were performed entirely with cast members wearing masks, on video, and streamed to audience members.
One of the most important outcomes from the performance with actors wearing masks involved sound amplification. While mouths were obstructed, students, faculty and staff worked for hours to provide the audience with the highest quality of sound. Their experimentations and solutions continued to be used throughout the 2020-21 Academic year. Students received hands on learning opportunities that will be used for years to come.
Explain project results
As mentioned, several cast members were Hispanic students. Because there are now 252 majors in the Conservatory of Theatre and Dance, there are more performers than roles each year. Bring it On! provided numerous students featured roles, and pushed them in their studies of musical theatre. We are thrilled to report that Yul Carrion graduated in May, and immediately was cast in professional shows in Florida. His work in Bring it On! was one of the largest featured roles he had at Southeast Missouri State University. He gained further confidence and dance training during this production. Genevieve Cortez is now a Sophomore at Southeast Missouri State University, and continues to grow as a leader in the Conservatory of Theatre and Dance. In October, she played a feature role in You Can’t Take it With You. Another student, Brandon Guzman is now a senior in the conservatory, and was recently in the opening fall production of Guys and Dolls. He continues to study both dance and musical theatre.
Why it should be considered best practice?
Throughout the 2020-2021 academic year, over 100 performances were held at Southeast Missouri State University’s River Campus in the Holland College of Arts and Media. We know of no students, staff, faculty, or audience member that became ill through rehearsals or productions. Zero performances were cancelled. Many universities are just now coming back to campus and trying to find a balance of offering meaningful experiential learning opportunities and keeping the campus and community safe.
Highlights of your proposed presentation
Protect the Nest Guidelines – University Covid protocols
Performance Guidelines – HCAM Covid protocols
Partnership with Southeast Hospital and CHART Clinic
Bring it On! production example
Highlights of the 2020-21 season
Fall 2020 and utilizing what we learned from this first production
The Evaluation Committee will evaluate submitted proposals based on the following criteria. Each area will be rated on a scale from 1 to 7 (1= non-satisfactory; 7 =outstanding), for a maximum of 63 points.