Student Blog: My Local Non-Profit Community Theatre Puts on a Show for the First Time Since August 2019!

For the past almost 5 years, I've been involved in a non-profit community theatre organization. In March of 2020, I was on the Executive Board for this organization called The Charles Seller Foundation. For over 70 years, this foundation and its members put on a show to benefit a sick person in the area each and every summer. When the pandemic first hit, we had planned a cabaret that ultimately had to be canceled and quickly realized we would not be able to do our full production in the summer, as we have done for the past 69 summers.

So, as the restrictions were put in place, we were stuck wondering what we could do that could raise money for our wonderful beneficiary, Megan. After many meetings of throwing ideas around, the idea of a dance challenge and a 70th Anniversary Documentary came about. Each week, members, old and new, would be given a dance sequence from one of our previous shows to learn and post. Each post would have a description that described how to donate to our beneficiary. These videos posted by members were then placed into the documentary. After the dance challenge concluded, we ended up raising even more money than we EVER expected during this pandemic. It was an extremely successful summer despite all the challenges that were presented.

As the number of cases begin to fall and the number of vaccinated people begin to increase this past couple of months, we were able to create a plan for THIS summer. This upcoming summer I am helping out with a production of The Addams Family: Quarantined Edition IN PERSON! We were able to safely hold auditions and now hold rehearsals in person every week.

The question is: HOW are we keeping everyone safe while simultaneously rehearsing and producing an entire production?

We make every single Cast member and Production Team member fill out a Daily COVID-19 Form to ensure they are eligible to attend rehearsal each day they are called. Then, when they arrive we take their temperature. Regardless of vaccinations, we currently require everyone to wear masks while performing. As opening night approaches and the COVID restrictions change, the steps we take to ensure safety may also change!

However, regardless of the restrictions, I know I am SO excited to take part and witness the curtains go up once again! Creating music and art, in general, is just so astonishing and when you add something so special, like helping someone else in need, it makes everything 10 times more rewarding. If you are interested in the production I am involved with or want more information on this AMAZING organization, here is the foundation's website: thecharlessellerfoundation.com

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