Q: What has been the biggest change this year in the theater program?

A: I think the biggest change is that there is no audience, we moved from a live performance to a filmed video, so the pressure is off but a new pressure is added which is on camera 

-Lily Connor ‘22

Q: How hard has it been for you with the new protocols in the theater program?

A: The new protocols were fairly easy to adjust to considering they’re made up of the same basic rules we’ve all been following. Elvis did a really good job of keeping everyone safe and reminding people of all the regulations. 

-Elyse Weaver ‘24

A: Honestly, I’m so used to following COVID protocols so bringing that to the theater is virtually no different, though it is hard when it comes to blocking. 

-Lily Connor ‘22

A: The hardest part with the new protocols is definitely the inability to be within six feet of another actor because of how important that is, but even though we had these protocols we have done a great job of making the best out of what we could and came out with a very good final product. 

-Foster Smith ‘22

Q: What do you like most about 

Almost, Maine?

A: I think my favorite thing about Almost, Maine is that it all takes place at the same time in the same [place], I love how all the characters are interwoven, and each scene ends with the northern lights which ties the play all together. 

-Lily Connor ‘22

A: The thing I liked most about Almost, Maine was being able to work with an entirely new cast. We had a lot of people in theater graduate last year, but it was amazing for everyone to be learning the process and experiencing a show week together for the very first time under such special circumstances.

– Madeleine Nicks ‘22

A: I feel like Almost, Maine is a great story that really relies on the actors and their ability to bring out characters’ personalities as one person plays multiple parts. Along with [that] Almost, Maine is a story that most people can relate to even in small ways because of the wide scale of characters and their varying personalities. -Foster Smith ‘22

A: This vignette-style play was a very intentional choice for this pandemic year, as the 2-3 person minimalist scenes provided the best opportunity for students to engage in meaningful material, while maintaining the integrity of our safety protocols. It also allowed us to move in and out of a multi-tiered performance approach, with its ability to adapt to in person, zoom, or film options. It gave us flexibility from the onset to focus-in on the heart of this sweet and whimsical story… The love and dedication our students have shown through our work on Almost, Maine has moved my heart profoundly: the commitment to their passions and above all, to keep each other safe.

-Dana Caldwell, Theater Director

Q: How has the new filming process changed the way the theater operates and what are the good and bad things about?

A: Filming the show has completely changed the way that theater operates. We spaced out each scene so there were never more than two students acting every night, we got dressed and did our makeup completely by ourselves and did each scene multiple times. I would say the biggest change has been not being able to perform in front of an audience, which is always so much fun. But it was also very relaxing to be able to ask for a line if we needed it and take our time doing each scene.

– Madeleine Nicks ‘22

A: For us theatre folks, I think waiting for the film will be the hardest part while the final product is being crafted in post production! Thespians love the immediate, live experience – a dark House filled with friends and family, post show celebrations, and all the other traditions we revel in. We cannot wait to come back together once again with our whole community for these milestone moments, but we are immensely proud of this work and cannot wait to share it with our big Laguna Family!”

 -Caldwell

A: Filming has been a very good experience because although the actors have been still working very hard in perfecting [their] characters, and the thought that our crew can go back and fine tune things in editing ensures that the actors do not go through too much nerves in the play… The most important part is that we come out [of this] with a final product safely.” 

– Foster Smith ‘22