Embracing the Moment

By Rachael Powles '22, February 15, 2021

Students work together to put on virtual theatre production.

Screengrab of virtual rehearsal performance zoom

Getting a chance to speak with composer Douglas Lyons during rehearsal was a valuable experience for students.

Preparing a virtual musical while hundreds of miles away from your cast mates can be daunting task. And for the students in Ithaca College’s Department of Theatre Arts who were creating a performance of the musical “Moments: An Evening of Work by Douglas Lyons,” that task was even more challenging due to the themes of racial and sexual identity covered in the songs.

But the performers had one advantage: because of the virtual nature of the performance, Lyons was able to sit in on the rehearsal process and offer notes and insight to the students.

“It’s tricky to do a musical online,” said Christopher Zemliauskas, assistant professor of musical performance, who served as the music director for the show. “It was a challenge for everybody, but … we have such talented singers, it ended up being a real pleasure for me.”

Lyons is an actor and composer who celebrates diversity and equality in his work. “Moments” is a song cycle featuring selections from several of his other projects and stand-alone songs, connected by a theme of individuality and personal acceptance.

“During the first rehearsal, we asked everyone what it felt like … to bring your race into a room. We talked about the first time we felt other-ed, the first time we realized what America was, and all these things that helped us integrate the big ideas into our production.”

Deletris Bryant ’22

Rehearsals for the show began in mid-October, when students and professors held virtual script analysis and vocal coaching sessions over Zoom.

Due to the sensitive subject matter, director Zhailon Levingston worked to create a safe virtual rehearsal space where actors felt comfortable exploring those topics.

“During the first rehearsal, we asked everyone what it felt like … to bring your race into a room,” said assistant director Deletris Bryant ’22. “We talked about the first time we felt other-ed, the first time we realized what America was, and all these things that helped us integrate the big ideas into our production.”

In “Fatigue,” a mini musical featured heavily in the performance, musical theatre major Jeremy Noel ’21 portrayed Devon, a young black man struggling to reconcile his desire to fight for racial justice with the expectations of his family.

“These students, and future stars managed to put on a show when the world was shut down. Witnessing this evening is us all witnessing their commitment and passion to storytelling.”

Douglas Lyons

“I actually connected to Devon a lot,” said Noel. “He really is just a kid. I am tackling how to be a kid while also literally fighting for my life, so I was channeling that into my character.”

Once rehearsals were in the books, student musicians worked with professionals to record instrumental tracks while the singers recorded their individual vocal performances. Then, television-radio majors Teddy Byrne ’21 and Margaret Frederick ’21 utilized equipment in Park to edit the various pieces together.

“It was very taxing,” said actor Moyo Kehinde ’21 of the process. “I had to think about what my character would say, how they would feel, and every impulse my scene partner might have. But we made it work and it made me realize that actors have to possess a vast imagination.”

“This wonderful production is broken up into many worlds. It was our job to create something that felt unified and allowed you to be transported to new places. It was really fun.”

Becca Gottbetter ’22, on the designing of virtual backgrounds for the show

With the performances finished, the last step was design. During the final production, virtual backgrounds designed by theatre production and design majors Becca Gottbetter ’22 and Thomas Jenkeleit ’22 were streamed into the final Zoom webinar using Open Broadcaster Software. It was a challenge they embraced.

“This wonderful production is broken up into many worlds,” said Gottbetter. “It was our job to create something that felt unified and allowed you to be transported to new places. It was really fun.”

In the end, the determination and passion from the students and their professors led to a unique performance that shone through the screen.

“These students, and future stars,” Lyons wrote in his program note, “managed to put on a show when the world was shut down. Witnessing this evening is us all witnessing their commitment and passion to storytelling.”