Hi my name is Lauren Brady, and this is make take on “Online Theatre”

Online Theatre – Is it possible?

How does one make theatre online, and not turn into a film? That was the first question I asked myself. A strong value I hold dear is when creating art, I must strive to make it as authentic and extravagant as possible to the original dream I pictured for it. I was initially contacted to create a live theatre clown/dance performance when the pandemic hit. COVID changed everything. Instead of having my performance done for a live audience, it was now being pre-recorded and shown to a “live” virtual artist. I was so grateful for the opportunity to create something still, but I always wanted to make my vision of theatre. So, I began to think of how I can accomplish this, so I wrote down everything that I love about theatre.

You’re in a room with your peers.

How can I achieve this? The first rehearsal and photography done for the original project were all done in person before the pandemic. After the COVID, I had no idea if the festival would continue until it was announced at the end of April. I had the option to send in pre-recorded work or create something in this new “online medium.” I had one performer in Edmonton, one in Sherwood Park, two in Red Deer and myself in Calgary. So, to me, the only solution was to have a zoom meeting with my performers and weigh the options. After our meeting, everyone was on board to try and create something through Zoom to re-create the original “theme” of the performance.

It’s a collaboration of artists.

Creating art through Zoom was a new process for everyone. We began by playing – seeing what was possible. Everyone would go through different offers and suggestions around the room, and we quickly discovered what we could and couldn’t do with this software.
We could play with and control angles, backdrops, names, text boxes, and so much more! Unfortunately, we could not control the internet connection and many glitches that come with online group meetings. The glitches effected trying to clean choreography, and in some cases prevented the performers from connecting to one another. Over time we discovered how to work with the glitches and incorporate them into the performance.

Rehearsal

I was able to accomplish filming theBYSTANDER with a lack of editing because my performers and I had created this project for over two months. The show was thoroughly rehearsed and known by each performer before our filming date. And while filming, I was no longer the creator, director, choreographer, but instead acted as a music designer and stage manager for the project. To make this project a success (in my eyes), I had to learn how to control a soundboard, recording the video, and know all of the cues for the performance to make sure it ran smoothly.

Production value

The one thing I strive for in every work I create is production value. How can you present your art in the best possible light and make it look as clean and polished a possible? Online performance vale was a difficult task to accomplish, and I’m not sure if I entirely did. How I approached, it was doing all I could to get the best audio quality and give my performers specific guidelines to set dressing and costumes that they could create out of the resources they would already have in their homes.

It’s done in one take.

To me, film and theatre’s main difference is that film is done in multiple takes and angles. So the show I created called theBYSTANDER is wholly filmed in one take. Just like in a live theatre performance, there were no second chances. There was no editing from previous rehearsal footage – if something went wrong in the show, the show must still go on in my eyes that is the biggest accomplishment of the project.

Theatre Online – did I do it?

I am a strong advocate for the fact that theatre can be done online. I know many people (including myself) do not prefer this outcome, but when you look at the cards, the world has dealt us lately, it is one of the only ways to keep creating. At the end of the day, I love making art, and this pandemic won’t stop me – yes, having my first every choreography and creation being shown over zoom and not in a building is not ideal in any way. But it is a way, an outlet, and something I will continue to do until we can all be in a theatre again surrounded by friends, family, and strangers.

My show theBYSTANDER goes live on June 10th at 7:08 pm MDT on the festival’s website as a part of Nextfest 2020. If you can make it let me know what you think, is it theatre?
Link to Festival: http://nextfest.org

Links & More

theBYSTANDER FB link: https://www.facebook.com/events/httpnextfestorg/thebystander/656189675229580/
Choreographer Link:
https://www.instagram.com/lauren_brady_/

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