Lincoln Academy Theater students have been working in Poe Theater this fall, observing covid protocols of distance and masking. They will produce a series of one act plays that combine film and live streaming that are scheduled to “open” on November 20.

When Richard Connell’s famous short story “The Most Dangerous Game” popped up as a new addition to the public domain over the summer of 2020, theater director Griff Braley saw an opportunity for a theater/film experience for Lincoln students this fall. “We had so many new male performers enter the program when we produced Guys and Dolls last winter, that I wanted to find a piece that they could really enjoy together,” Braley said. Along with a fun Yiddish style comedy entitled “The Tailor” (livestreaming from the Poe on November 20 and 21) and a short version of Cyrano de Bergerac meant for high school students, which has been moved to the winter season, Lincoln Academy students continue to learn and perform. Our final version of “The Most Dangerous Game”, filmed in the Poe Theater under strict protocols, will be posted by Nov. 13 on Lincoln Academy and Heartwood websites.

Continuing almost two decades of collaboration with Heartwood Regional Theater Company, the technical aspects of both film and livestream have been bolstered by Heartwood technical director Ryan Kohnert, and Lincoln theater tech intern Ben Schwink and new tech student Annalise Garnett. On a steep learning curve throughout the fall, techies and actors grappled with livestreaming, new cameras, film lighting, greenscreen and chroma technology, and figuring out how to shoot, perform and record with multiple cameras. By combining resources, LA and Heartwood plan to continue livestreaming through the 20 -21 season.

With the vagaries of 2020 ever in play, many students were limited to one or two days a week to rehearse, some went through two-week quarantines mid rehearsal, and some students were forced to step away from the production for various reasons. Often, students had extremely limited rehearsal time before stepping in front of cameras, calling on previously developed acting skills, to invest in this new medium. Despite a stunning last minute closure of a major musical in the spring of 2020, and while students have faced the continued threat of school closure, theater students have worked hard to find a way to believe in the process, show up and perform. “I am very proud of those who pushed through to complete these projects. With challenges across the board, personal and community wide, we feel blessed to have the time to finish this process.”

Stay tuned for livestream dates and time for “The Tailor”, a short Yiddish comedy that will open on November 20.

Community business support continues to be very generous toward Heartwood and the performing arts. The following businesses play an integral role in making this happen: Bath Savings Institution (Season Sponsor), Damariscotta Hardware (Season Youth Sponsor), First National Bank (Education Sponsor), Colby & Gale and Chesterfield Associates (1-Act Series) and HM Payson (Streaming Sponsor).

Scenes from upcoming theater productions scheduled to stream November 20: