As Central Coast schools work to rebound from the impact of the pandemic, programs like Paso High Theatre Company are finding new ways to keep experiences going for students.
Paso High Theatre Company is used to putting on performances on stage, but with the pandemic this year, they are going virtual.
Director of Theatre Arts at Paso High School Marcy Goodnow says it was all about improvisation to make this new production happen.
“(Students) got a microphone and they set up like a home studio in their closets because then the clothes would take up some of that sound," she explained.
They were just two weeks away from debuting their hit show "Mamma Mia!" last spring when classes went virtual.
Since then, they have pivoted and have now created a radio show.
“They created a lot of the sound effects from scratch and they incorporated all the sound effects and a lot of the dialogue,” Goodnow said.
Fifty students are now collaborating from home to create a rendition of "A Christmas Carol."
Theatre student Elsa Williams says that working on the show has made her feel more connected to her community and classmates.
"It’s been great to work on something I love while still staying safe," she said.
Paso High Theatre Company will be playing a special edition of their show on local radio station KPRL this Friday and previewing their virtual show.
"I stay connected to the high school and a lot of the students I love through this class and that has helped me a lot through this whole pandemic," said theatre student Ava Lovelace.
With most of their funding coming from ticket sales, this is an opportunity for them to keep the spirit of theater alive in their school.
“Doing a semester behind a screen is very difficult but it’s really just taught me that we will get through it and good things can come out of this,” said student Dylan Saunders.
Paso High Theatre Company will be selling tickets to their virtual show for $``10 each and all of the proceeds from the play will go back into their theatre program.
If you would like to purchase tickets, you can visit their website here.
