EDITORIAL

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, live performances have largely been impossible without putting both the performers and the audience at great risk. Although there is still a risk of Covid transmission at any group gathering, many performances have been able to take place as vaccination rates rise. From world tours, to sports games, to school productions, the return of spectator events is undeniably both familiar and optimistic.

The return of Fall Coffeehouse on October 15th, a Bryn Mawr tradition and kind of “open mic” night for community members to share a talent with an audience largely composed of their peers was an exhilarating moment for the Bryn Mawr community. However, things looked a little different at this year’s coffeehouse. The event was held outdoors to help in curbing any possible transmission of Covid while a large crowd gathered and all audience members (in addition to performers) were required to sign up before attending to aid in contact tracing. The event being outdoors did pose the new issue of possible inclement weather, but there was luckily no rain, and firepits were set up to keep people warm. These circumstances created a unique but rewarding Coffeehouse. The event marked a successful return of in person arts at Bryn Mawr as over 140 people gathered to cheer on people performing everything from piano performances to stand-up comedy.

Additionally, the Bryn Mawr musical, The Addams Family, was fully in person this year with four live shows from Thursday, October 21st to Sunday, October 24th. After last year’s spring play being streamed to viewers online, the musical taking place in a full Centennial Hall was a drastic change for the people involved in production and audience members alike. Being able to watch a live show again was an impressive and refreshing experience, considering the effort put into the production by the cast, crew, orchestra, and Bryn Mawr’s new upper school theatre director, Ms. Cardall.

The ongoing pandemic still posed a considerable threat to the cast during rehearsals especially due to the involvement of Gilman students, so following Bryn Mawr’s policy, masks were still required during rehearsals. The masks made it difficult to speak, sing, and incorporate facial expressions into acting, placing a greater emphasis on body language. Fortunately, the mask mandate and other precautions did not affect crew work as much as they did in some other aspects of production, it was difficult to perform the 22 scene changes and keep up with over 200 lighting cues with the show constantly evolving throughout the rehearsal process. 

Ms. Cardall explained that despite the challenges of the pandemic and shortened pre-production period “there was a spirit of gratitude and excitement from everyone because just having the opportunity was a gift.” Setting parameters on the number of audience members that could fit into Centennial Hall was also difficult as Covid statistics were constantly checked and the decision was put off for as long as possible in order to ensure that the data was the most accurate and applicable to the situation. There was also extensive testing for cast members leading up the performances in order to allow for the actors to safely perform without masks. 

Despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, performing in front of a live audience again was the most impactful aspect of this production. Ms. Cardall said that “the response of the audience for every performance gave [her] chills…. It was so exciting to see the actors’ faces and have that special connection between audience and performer that only exists in a live, in-person show.” Sophie G. ‘24, who played Wednesday Addams said, “The live feedback from the audience is so impactful to the energy of the performers. Especially doing a comedy, it’s so great to see people laughing and enjoying the show.”

The Covid pandemic has truly impressed upon the world the impact of being able to interact with people face to face, and this of course applies to live performances too. The shows that Bryn Mawr has been able to put on in the first two months of the school year alone demonstrate the importance and intersection of arts and togetherness in a community. 

Photos courtesy of David Stephens