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  • Writer's pictureCasey Crockett

Resilience in Uncertainty: A Fine Arts Extravaganza

“It’s like a fine arts extravaganza with elements of film, instrumental music, vocal music, spoken word, and visual art.”


This year’s fall production will be anything but traditional; however, its execution will not resemble a reluctant adaptation to our current environment but instead will showcase the innovation within our fine arts program. Mrs. Neal, the director of the Nokomis Theater Department, is working in close collaboration with Mr. Neal, Mrs. Sorensen, and Mr. Brown to string together various art forms, allowing students of different artistic backgrounds to come together in a time when they are unable to do so on their own. Lacking a traditional story arc, this production will instead rely on effective storytelling and high production value to provide viewers with an impactful experience.


This year certain possibilities were taken off the table. Actors had to be socially distanced on stage, singers would have to perform their pieces alone, and one of her actors’ biggest assets would no longer be available: their faces. “We realized that obviously when you act you need your whole face. I mean the power of the brow is one thing, but if it doesn’t have much to work with, it’s tough.” Yet through this obstacle the skills of Nokomis art students were able to be introduced into the production as Mrs. Sorensen’s students began working on expressive masks for the actors to wear, bringing emotion back into the characters’ faces. The digital format of the show has allowed actors to safely record their pieces while also providing unique editing opportunities for the broadcasting element of the production.



Students from Mrs. and Mr. Neal’s Production and Design class utilizing personalized masks to show expression



Individual student work has benefited most from this approach as the hodgepodge format enables the inclusion of powerful student-written scripts and the performance of Nokomis musicians. Performers were given free rein in choosing their pieces, and as a result the range of talent in this production is something the theatre department has never been able to experience before. While Mrs. Neal is eager to move forward with her next project, she shares, “In the meantime, we’re working really hard to be able to do something that’s authentic and something that’s meaningful for our students and something that can show our community that we’re working with what we have.”


Of all the changes Mrs. Neal faced this year, the most welcomed of them was the ability to utilize the new features of our stage with the help of her husband, Mr. Neal. Working side by side, they were able to tackle the expected and unexpected challenges moving through the creation of this performance. “We enjoy each other’s company and we enjoy each other professionally and that’s been really fun, and I think it’s also been really helpful to have each other to lean on through the struggles of all of this…” They are both still learning what our new facility is capable of. However, in their few short weeks of rehearsals, they have already seen the impact this new environment is having on the actors. It has been exciting for her to see her students embrace this new grandeur and take on a higher level of professionalism.



New sound and light equipment has allowed for a more immersive design experience for both the director and actors



A snapshot from last year’s Show Choir performance showcasing the capabilities of our new stage



As the fall production comes to a close, the theatre department is preparing to start back up on the heels of December vacation. While they are remaining optimistic about the possibilities of putting together a spring musical, they are also aware of our uncertain future and have alternative plans in place, similar to the production currently being worked on. The addition of the auditorium has also opened up the possibility of directing a two-act play with large scale set design. Most importantly, the program will continue its mission to remain flexible and engage with passionate students. Students who don’t picture themselves on stage can still have a valuable role within the program, whether they choose to help with design, stage management, or technical work. “Being part of something bigger than yourself is the way that you learn about how the world really works, and one of the key parts of the culture of the Drama Club is that there is acceptance no matter who you are, no matter what you love, no matter what you're passionate about... There is acceptance and there is a non-judgemental culture here that says that you can be vulnerable and nobody is going to judge you for it.” It’s through this core principle that the Nokomis theatre program has become a well respected part of our school community.


The fall production will be available for online viewing by Christmas, and those who are interested in becoming a part of the next production are encouraged to reach out to Lisa Neal, director of the Nokomis Theater Department.


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