The coronavirus pandemic has thrown the performing arts for a loop, hitting the pause button for the majority of the spring. But, like many organizations, they’re figuring out ways for the show to go on.
Kenai Performers is getting auditions underway for a winter production of “Murder in the Cathedral,” a drama about the historical murder of English Archbishop Thomas Beckett in the Canterbury Cathedral in the Middle Ages. In the past, auditions have been open, with aspiring actors showing up whenever they want. This time, hopefuls have to sign up ahead of time for slots over the course of three days.
Producer Rebecca Gilman said those wishing to audition need to sign up via a Google Doc for a slot. There are three days available from June 25 to 27, with two hours available each day. That should accommodate about 60 people, with a limit of 10 at a time.
"We’ll give people slides to look over and to practice and when we actually have the audition, when someone is doing their reading, then we’ll have them take off their masks then and be separate from other people and standing on their own," she said. "If weather permits, we’re going to try to do it outside in our parking lot, so we can keep it even bigger. Our warehouse space itself is really nice and big. If we’re only having 10 people in that building a time, it’s really easy to maintain social distancing."
Kenai Performers had just decided on its season when the pandemic struck. The play they had scheduled for May, "Dancing in Lughnasa," was postponed and is rehearing right now. Gilman said they hope to go forward with a season this year but the plays will likely all be in the Performers’ space on K-Beach Road and audiences will be smaller.
"Usually, the seating there is 80 to 100 people," she said. "This entire season, we’re just going to maintain our show seating requirements of 50 people. That way, we can separate by family, households, etc. We’re going to require masks. Tickets are by reservation, only, so we can seat people in individual households."
Though the big musical they usually stage at the Renee C. Henderson Auditorium at Kenai Central High School will probably be off the table this year, Gilman said they’re hoping to do a smaller-scale musical in the space on K-Beach Road and spread it out over more weekends so more people can see it.
"Murder at the Cathedral," written by T.S. Eliot, focuses on the martyrdom of Thomas Becket, who was later sainted by the Catholic Church. The play is scheduled to premier Dec. 2, which is the same month Becket was killed by assassins over a conflict with King Henry II regarding the role of the church, 850 years ago.
If actors can’t access the online signup sheet, Gilman said to call her on her number listed on the event’s Facebook page to reserve a time. More information is available on the Kenai Performers’ page on Facebook.
Reach Elizabeth Earl at eearl@kdll.org.
