Original Works Theater Festival at Shady Side Academy goes virtual

Her passion for theater and duty as an arts educator wouldn’t allow Shady Side Academy Theater Director Dana Hardy-Bingham to cancel a 10-year tradition that is the school’s “Original Works Theater Festival.”

Covid-19, however, has forced it to be an online production.

“Producing theater in the midst of a global pandemic seems daunting, to say the least,” the longtime drama instructor said. “But shying away from the challenges was just not an option.”

The Senior School will present the Digital Theater Festival on March 5-7, with three pre-recorded video performances. They will be shown at 7:30 p.m. on March 5-6 and at 2 p.m. on March 7.

Access to the videos is free, but online donations will be accepted to offset production costs for the upcoming spring musical.

Links are available at shadysideacademy.org/theater.

The festival features three original student-written plays, one each night, sandwiched between student-performed monologues, spoken word poetry, scenes, duets, soloists and even a tap dance.

Hardy-Bingham said she taught a few crash courses in playwriting and by a stroke of luck, three “amazing short plays flourished from incredibly talented students.”

After several collaborative rehearsals, the short plays will serve as the centerpieces for each digital performance.

“It’s been a true joy helping these plays come to life and to be able to provide an artistic avenue for all the other amazing acts you’ll see in our festival,” she said.

“These students make my dream of being an inspiring drama teacher a reality every day.”

The lineup is “Battery” on March 5, written by senior Katie Sparvero of Penn Hills and starring the sibling duo of senior Jake Rohr and sophomore Ben Rohr, of Fox Chapel.

“Pride Month” follows on March 6. Written by and starring junior Braden Crow, the show also features seniors Annabel Everett of Fox Chapel and Nathan Jyachosky of Fawn, juniors Ava Kronman of Fox Chapel, Gloria Mancilla-Balog of Penn Hills and Noah Delisma of Hampton, and freshman Kayla Zhu of O’Hara.

The event finale will feature “The Great American Laureate” by junior Gigi Horgan.

It stars Everett, Jyachosky, Crow and Delisma, along with Riley Doyle and Sydney Demchak.

“A digital presentation was definitely hard,” Everett said. “The masks, I think, are the toughest to get over because facial expressions are obviously so vital to acting and having to work around that challenge was difficult.

“Plus, I just miss seeing everyone’s faces and hugging people. The theater community at SSA has always been really tight-knit — it’s weird to not be able to be close to them.”

Everett is heavily involved in the production, having filmed and edited a music video, acted in two plays and sung a duet. But the workload was worth it to capitalize on one of her final chances to be on stage.

Similarly, junior Ava Kronman said SSA Theater always offers students the opportunity to challenge themselves – and this year just amplified that.

“The pandemic has not stopped us,” she said. “It has instead given us the chance to elevate our work.”

Kronman performed a Shakespearean Monologue and also played the role of “Pat” in the student play “Pride Month” about the deadly sins.

She said functioning as an ensemble while physically separate was rough.

“But we have a fantastic team of cast and crew members who work well together and relate to each other even in the most challenging circumstances,” she said. “We have learned to foster teamwork online, and it has been amazing to see the outcome.”

Other student performers include seniors Charlotte McDaniel and Alexander Biglan, junior Aasia Gabbour and sophomore Karina Saba.

Staff member Austin Davidheiser is the technical director. Senior Hannah Romoff is the stage manager and staff member James Knox is the cinematographer and editor, along with two student assistants, junior Andy Marous and Lochlan McGinnis. LisaAnn Goldsmith and Robert Fire are the vocal directors, and Bob Neumeyer provides musical accompaniment.