BWW Blog: “Socials” for A New World - Dr. Errik Hood's Innovative Approach to a Virtual Production at NYU

Dr. Errik Hood, Music Assistant Professor of Vocal Performance at NYU Steinhardt, is creating a new breed of virtual productions. Or rather, a new feed.

Dr. Hood is currently the director of a production of SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD (music and lyrics by Jason Robert Brown) at NYU Steinhardt. All rehearsals and filming will be conducted remotely. He says that the show was a natural choice, "given the beautiful music, and so many of the themes aligning with what we're all feeling these days."

He tells me that the biggest struggle with the show is deciding how to handle the lack of context that the songs from the show present: to try and embrace the lack of context, or impose a context onto the material?

The solution? A unique hybrid of both - a fake social media platform, created by the cast, called "Songs".

In this social media format, each musical piece is its own "post" on the platform, complete with video and caption for context. Each cast member stays one character throughout the whole show. The social media "posts" illuminates arcs for each character and put a spotlight on the thematic thread, but also lets each piece live on its own. The audience will also be able to see characters interact with each other through video posts, and video calls (duets, trios, and ensemble pieces) through the fake social media platform.

"What I love is that we don't have to try and side step the fact that we are speaking directly to the camera, that there is disparity in audio and video quality, or that we're doing it from our homes," Hood explains, "because it's social media. We can use those as narrative devices, not limitations."

The show will be consumed as a two screen experience - one screen will be the stream of the show itself, and the other will be your own mobile device. At the beginning of the show, there will be a QR code that, when scanned, will take you to a website that mimics the platform "Songs" seen in the show. "While you're watching, you're also able to explore who these characters are and what their relationship is to one another."

The cast list is as follows: Lauryn Hurley, Kylie Evans, Senzel Ahmady, Brooke Melton, Julia Anne Cohen, Shayna Plotnik, Desirae Banks, Elisa Diaz, Rene Kozlowski, Ava Jones, James Gagnon, Hae Chan Timothy Lee, Vineel Mahal, Mark DiCampo, Sam Joseph, and Ben Raanan.

The production team is as follows: Errik Hood (Director), Ted Sperling (Music Director), Noah Turner (Associate Music Director & Pianist), Barrett Penrod (Student Assistant Director), Chandalae Nyswonger (Production Manager), Skylar Adler (Audio Editor), Brittany Bland (Video Editor/Digital Content), and Erin Moll (Web Design).

NYU Steinhardt's virtual production of SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD is set to premiere in May of this year. Specific dates and streaming information will be released as it is announced.

Dr. Errik Hood shows us that art can be created anywhere, at any time, with creativity and hard work. I cannot wait to see the final product and give it a "like"!