Carson City area theatre companies pivot amidst COVID restrictions, hope to go live by spring

Local theater performances were put on hold last spring in a joint decision by the Carson City and Douglas County Theater Companies’ Coalition. The goal of the coalition was to try to navigate certain challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, including social distancing restrictions.

As many restaurants, bars, and other local businesses who thrive on the gathering of people, governmental restrictions also took a toll on community theater. Most performances that were scheduled to take the stage last spring and summer, were put on hold until further notice.

Last May, Western Nevada Musical Theatre Company was set to perform "Once Upon a Mattress" to a live audience. Stephanie Arrigotti, who established the company in 1990, said all of their plans came to a halt once restrictions were put into place.

“I invested $80,000 in building the show, had all the backdrops made, bought all the costumes,” Arrigotti said. “We learned in March that we had a shutdown. We had already taught 95 percent of the show to the cast.”

WNMTC pays for everything from costumes to set design to hiring professional choreographers and musicians with ticket sales and advertising revenue. Without performances, Arrigotti said the company’s sources of income are not intact right now.

“The cast is still chomping at the bit, wanting to put this show on,” Arrigotti said. “So right now, it is scheduled to be presented in May of this year. We’re hoping that restrictions will be lifted.”

Forced to pivot from live performances, Arrigotti and the company began having virtual performances. In fall 2020, WNMTC introduced a performing group called "Broadway Rising!," which entailed a choir performing Broadway songs on their website and Facebook page.

“It gave our performers a place to go to perform the songs that they love so much,” Arrigotti said. “It not only caters to the people who are performing with our company, but now people who have moved out of state who miss performing with our company can now do that because you can be a part of a virtual ensemble from anywhere.”

Performances on Zoom have become a popular option among local theaters. Carol Scott from Wild Horse Productions said it’s a way for children involved with Wild Horse to still be able to spend time together, although it comes with its challenges.

“I think the kids are so burnt out on being on Zoom for school, that they aren’t as enthusiastic that it was virtual,” Scott said. “It’s not like being live on stage and having that audience.”

After plans to stage both "Alice in Wonderland Junior" and "Heathers the Musical" were put on hold last spring, Wild Horse now has plans to virtually perform a number from "Oliver! called Food, Glorious Food." Rehearsals are being held via Zoom, with a live performance being filmed on Mar. 6 before the company posts the video to their social media accounts for viewing.

“This is the first time we will have done this (perform) since March (2020), so we have all of our PPE and all of our disinfectant in our office there at the Brewery Arts Center that we’ll pull out now,” Scott said.

Scott said all the right precautions are being taken when directors and cast members meet to record the live performance. Kids are separated into small groups of four or five and everyone must wear a mask.

“We just take things day by day,” Scott said. “As things start opening up, then we’ll make decisions about meeting again.”

Lucille Rao, President of the Carson Valley Community Theatre, said the company is in a holding pattern until it becomes “financially feasible” to produce a show. An average show costs a minimum of $5,000, and musicals can cost upwards of $15,000.

“We are thankful for grant monies that we have received to keep the proverbial ‘ghost light’ on,” Rao said. “On a personal note, I think many people are missing the entertainment aspect and the comradery that comes with doing a show. I know I am missing all my theater friends and the creative collaboration that occurs.”

CVCT has "Nunsense II," directed by Ann Delahay, scheduled for July. Unless 100 spectators or more can attend, the production will not be able to go forward, Rao said. Rehearsals for the show will continue in hopes that governor restrictions will be lifted by June.

“I have way too much time on my hands now,” Rao said. “I went from being busy every day to not knowing what to do with myself! Theater is a big part of my life and now there is a giant hole waiting to be filled.”

Proscenium Players Inc, Carson City’s longest running theater company since 1965, has also pivoted in terms of staying busy while productions are on standby.

Kelly Dodge, Vice President of the PPI board, said the company has been involved with producing "Secrets of Harridge House," an original radio drama broadcast by KNVC Carson City.

“We were approached back last fall by some people (creators John Adams and Scott Young) who were writing it and looking for voice actors,” Dodge said. “We’ve worked with them and have collaborated with providing actors and technical support to put Harridge House together.”

With the Brewery Arts Center being closed for theatre for the time being, Dodge said all productions have been put on hold until at least 50 percent capacity is allowed inside. In the meantime, Imaginators Syndicate, the BAC’s improvisation group, has been doing small shows with 20 people or less and live streaming it online.

“I do think there is a segment of the population that is hesitant to come back to live theater,” Dodge said. “But there’s a pretty big hunger in most of the population to come back to a live ‘anything’.”

Due to governor restrictions, Youth Theatre Carson City has also put all regular live performances on pause until further notice. According to Andie Wilkerson, Artistic Director for the local theater company, performances are being reimagined virtually with hybrid in-person opportunities for the children.

“In December we produced a movie musical, ‘Yes Virginia, The Musical’,” Wilkerson said. “Students rehearsed and performed both together in person and individually to create a really fun, engaging piece of virtual theater.”

In hopes of restrictions loosening closer to summertime, Wilkerson said planning for summer programs are in the works and will be announced in the coming month. Information on these programs and COVID-related updates can be found on their website.

“Until it is safe to meet and work and sing together again safely, we will have to continue to innovate to create meaningful experiences for all of our students and their families,” Wilkerson said.

Despite the lack of local live performances in the Carson City and Douglas county areas, Piper’s Opera House in Virginia City will be the exception. Premiering April 30, “Murder at the House of Dolls” will be presented by the Piper’s Players until mid-May. Tickets sales are limited to 75 people per show and all attendees are required to wear a mask as well as social distance.

Go here for a recent story on how Piper's Opera House has made it happen.