Shining Through COVID-19

South’s theater department persevered through this chaotic and never-ending year to put together Bright Star; the story of a woman, Alice Murphy, who was an editor in the 1940s. The story follows Alice’s life with flashbacks of her teenage years in the 1920s, showing her trials and tribulations through love, loss and heartbreak. 

“The show itself is just beautiful. It has such an intricate and symbolic storyline that was so cleanly put together with amazing music to go along with it,” said Aryahna LeGrand(junior). 

Rehearsals started in November of 2020, but the theater department had been preparing for the changes COVID-19 would bring since last March. The most prominent change would be the requirement of a mask during the entirety of the performance.

“We had to try a lot harder to form connections on stage while wearing a mask and without touching each other,” said Kaelyn Minor(senior).

Thanks to Elizabeth Brockhoff, vocal director, the cast was provided with masks that are thick enough to be effective against COVID-19 and stay in place while they are singing. Bright Star is said to be a more concert style show. The musical contains 18 cast members, which largely contrasts the previous year of 40+ people. This, in turn, brought them closer and allowed them to hold each other accountable to make the show even stronger. 

“Everyone in the cast is beyond talented, so the audience is guaranteed to be entertained from beginning to end,” said Minor. 

In-person tickets are limited while streaming tickets are not, so get your tickets today!

We can look to Bright Star as an example of how South students came together during this unpredictable year to create something emotional, real, and safe.  Thank you theater department for being the Bright Star at the end of a moonlit year.