LOVE/SICK is Pivoting
On October 13th, 2020, the WOHS Advanced Theatre class was called to a meeting. Due to the resurfacing of COVID-19 and the number of confirmed cases in our community on the rise, the decision was made that it was no longer safe to perform the fall play. LOVE/SICK was set to perform on October 15th and 16th at OSPAC.
At 1:15, when the meeting was called, the class was already concerned. We were set to have our first run through at OSPAC at 2 pm. So, when an unscheduled meeting was called, we figured something might be up. When the news was shared with us, we were shocked. Already, sadness took over. I couldn’t believe that this was happening again. There was no way I was put in another The Drowsy Chaperone, which was supposed to be our 2020 spring musical that got shut down due to the pandemic. Although I was saddened, I was furious on the inside for numerous reasons.
With the pandemic, a lot of things were taken from me. And of course, it just all has to happen my senior year of high school. At first, it was just the 2020 spring musical. That extended to not being able to say goodbye. A goodbye to all the seniors (WOHS ‘20) who were my friends. Then, it was not being able to see any of my friends. As the mandatory quarantine was lifted and people started to live their lives again, I was still home in quarantine for the sake of my family, which I still am. Then, it was not having a summer at all. A summer that was supposed to be spent with my friends and me before we start our senior year and go off to college. And then, of course, having my senior year of school be done virtually, not being able to attend any theatre competitions/festivals, not being able to tour colleges in person, and more. I guess you could just say I’m tired of it.
Even though I had feelings of my own, I put them aside. I couldn’t be a student at that moment. I was a director. We all had feelings of our own. It broke my heart to see my class in such a moment of devastation. Questions were raised, anger was expressed, and tears were cried. We were given the moment to share our thoughts. How were we doing? What was going through our minds? What does this mean for us? Anything at all… Let’s just say I wasn’t the only one who was furious.
In regards to where LOVE/SICK stands, other alternatives are being explored. Therefore, we aren’t canceled; we’re simply just pivoting. As a director, I’ve seen first hand that there was so much put into this show, from everyone. So much talent that needs to be seen. So much love that was given to us in support, and that we shared as a class family. All these components don’t deserve to be left out to waste. With that being said, everything happens for a reason. We just have to count our blessings.
