After two shows last semester were cancelled due to COVID-19, Sacred Heart’s Theatre Arts Program (TAP) has returned with the play “The Flick.” The performances were held from Oct. 3-11, and SHU student tickets were sold for $5.
“The Flick,” written by American playwright Annie Baker, tells the story of three individuals: Sam (played by sophomore Zack Gaiero), Avery (played by senior Jay Williams) and Rose (played by junior Jill Jackman).
“My experience working on the show was great. As the stage manager, my job during the show is to make sure everything is running smoothly between the actors, lights, sound, and props,” said senior Erica Allocca, Production Stage Manager and Theatre Arts Program President.
This show differed from other shows TAP has done in the past in that the audience had to enter through the back doors of Edgerton Theatre, where they then sat on the stage. The show took place in the seats, where the audience would usually be, as though the actors were in a movie theatre.
The characters work at a movie theatre together, and during their shift, they discuss their daily lives and the struggles they go through. Throughout their conversation, they realize they have a lot in common.
“It allowed the audience to feel they were truly watching the characters interact at the actual movie theater. The blocking, costumes, props, set, and lighting were amazing. The actors did a phenomenal job sharing this story with the audience,” said senior Michaela Viera.
The rehearsal process for this show was different than past years, and included several necessary precautions due to COVID-19.
Allocca said, “The rehearsal process with the new COVID guidelines was very manageable. Everyone in the cast and crew had their temperatures taken before every rehearsal, and we all wore our masks for the entire rehearsal. We also had a COVID team that wiped down all the props after each time they were used.”
The cast of “The Flick” also included two cameo characters; Skylar (played by freshman Sam Eaton), and the Dreaming Man (played by freshman Brad Hutchinson). The Dreaming Man only had one scene and one line.
This was Hutchinson’s first show at Sacred Heart. Regarding his character, Hutchinson said, “He knew that when he left the theatre, the problems in his life would hit him. Although my character didn’t have much backstory, I still was able to work with our director Jerry in creating my own to help create a motivation behind my actions.”
“This was my first time working on a show at Sacred Heart, and I was amazed by the level of talent, the professionalism, and the work ethic that was carried out from the beginning to the end of the process,” added Hutchinson. “This was an incredible opportunity because even through the COVID pandemic, we were able to safely carry out a piece of theatre. I am extremely fortunate to be at Sacred Heart because few colleges or professional theaters are picking up performing for an audience again.”
