The Three Masks of Theatre: Comedy, Drama, and Surgical

Diana Hartley

Circumstances were different but energy was high as Calhoun Theatre wrapped up production on “Two Gentlemen of Verona: The Musical” for the Spring play last month.

The passionate cast and crew of Calhoun’s theatre program has been working hard to continue their craft in spite of the COVID-19 pandemic that has been raging throughout the world this past year. In just about every corner of the country public health measures like mask orders and lockdowns have limited people’s ability to gather in groups which has forced those in the performance arts to change things up to continue their work. 

A theatre instructor of 15 years, Professor Lauren Cantrell Salerno came to Calhoun in the Fall 2020 semester, the first time schools would be open after initial lockdowns were initiated. “Size and spacing was a particular concern with the fall production since we were navigating unfamiliar territory.”, she writes in an email. “Audience size was limited to 50, and they were required to wear masks.  We offered the production free of cost so that tickets and money did not have to change hands.”

In a theatre that usually houses 125 people, an audience limited to 50 or even the 75 that was permitted for the Spring performance seems underwhelming at first glance. If anything the smaller numbers encouraged a more lively audience according to Katrina Henley, a veteran actor with the company. 

“People were laughing at jokes and clapping after every song, no one felt pressured to silence themselves, it was such an intimate and warm setting”, she says. 

In addition to requiring audience members to wear masks, actors working on the show wore masks while rehearsing and while not actively involved in a scene.

“Wearing a mask during rehearsals was a blessing and curse”, Katrina says. “We learned how to conserve our energy while dancing a 5-minute song, we learned how to correctly use our breath support and know when and how to use it.”

Indeed some of the uncertainty brought on by the pandemic has led to new opportunities. 

Calhoun Theatre was able to contract the expertise of Erica Bailey, an aerial silk performer who had been brought home from Paris. Ms. Bailey taught several students a form of acrobatics that is performed while hanging from suspended fabrics which they were then able to incorporate into the play. 

“She was absolutely fantastic, and we probably wouldn’t have had a similar opportunity under normal circumstances.”, Prof. Salerno says. 

Being unable to perform for high risk or out of town loved ones took a lot from performers who had worked so hard on these shows. The camaraderie within the company was stronger than ever though, with everyone supporting each other during a time in which large crowds were not feasible. 

For her part Katrina expresses gratitude at the close-knit community the theatre has been during this uncertain period. “That is why I love this company so much, if the audience didn’t cheer for us we cheered for each other backstage, we gave each other energy before, during, and after every dance number, every voice crack, and every line drop, and we’ve never been closer.”