By Jason Gabak
In recent weeks many have become more familiar with platforms like Zoom and other streaming services that have helped accommodate work, gatherings and social connections and learning.
A group of Jamesville-DeWitt High School students have found a way to use the platform to bring a production of a new play written by a member of the class of 2020 to audiences.
Starting on June 7, the student written and produced production of “No Exodus” will begin streaming on Youtube.
Jordan Berger, a social studies teacher as well as musical producer and drama show director, said the drama club had plans to bring a production of the show written by Alethea Shirilan-Howlett to the stage and when schools closed due to the coronavirus, students went to work adjusting to find a new way to make sure a performance happened.
Usually Berger said he and students will work together to select a show, usually something from a professional playwright, but the idea of producing a student written piece has been something he and his students have wanted to see happen for some time.
“I usually pick a few different show and we talk about them with the students,” Berger said. “We have talked about doing something written by one of our students for a few years now. Alethea wrote this play and we all enjoyed it and this is an idea we’d like to do more of. I think it is a great opportunity to encourage our students who want to pursue a career in the performing arts.”
The show, which without giving anything away, Berger describes as being a story about a mother and daughter set across two time periods in the 1970s and the 1990s set against a Passover Seder, is something everyone involved is eager to share.
“We are excited to be able to do this,” Berger said. “We were excited to bring this to the stage, but we are excited to be able to share this.”
Berger said Shirilan-Howlett had written the show with the stage in mind, but was able to make adjustments to make the story work using Zoom.
Since this idea came together, Berger said the playwright and the rest of the cast have been hard at work rehearsing and getting the performance in order.
Changing the show from the stage to a streaming format has allowed opportunities to involve other creative students from school.
Berger said students have been involved in creating digital backgrounds as well as in composing and performing music for the show.
This has also given students the chance to utilize the technology available to explore new areas of creativity.
This show has given students a chance to work on digital editing and recording and use digital software to create the show.
And while social distancing has needed to be in place, this has given students a way to stay connected working on the show via Zoom and Shirilan-Howlett has even dropped off set pieces and props to the other players to create the feel of the show.
The students have also decided to incorporate a fundraiser into the performance.
Through a gofundme page, students are hoping to raise $5,000 which will benefit CNY Arts, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency that provides support and assistance to individual artists and arts and cultural organizations through access to grants, capacity-building assistance, education and training and promotional services.
The organization serves the counties of Cortland, Herkimer, Madison, Oneida, Onondaga and Oswego with a goal to enhance a greater appreciation for the arts and cultural vibrancy of the region.
Berger said this is also an initiative that he hopes to explore more in the future with some of the proceeds from shows supporting the drama club but also going to help other community organizations.
For more information or to make a donation visit gofundme.com/f/no-exodus-student-written-original-play.
