The Show Mustn’t Go On… For Now

By: Kiana Maria ​

Is a Zoom call really the new curtain call? COVID-19 came as a huge shock to all of us both in this country and around the world. Many people lost their jobs, family members, and a lot of graduates lost out on key moments in their lives. One group of people that tend to get overlooked, and have definitely been affected by the pandemic at the highest level are performers and those who work behind the scenes of events. For instance, in early March, Broadway shut down due to the virus’s beginning steps in this country. It has been seven months, and Broadway doesn’t plan on reopening until next year. Amy Elizabeth Bravo, a woman in the wardrobe department for a Tony Award-winning Musical, shed light on how the pandemic will affect her career moving forward. Developing Artists gives spaces for young artists to speak their truth, however, due to the pandemic, many of their shows have been put on hold. Young performers have been affected by closures and halts on many productions of both other people and their own. The pandemic may have taken the audience away from theatres, but it could never take away the theatre from an audience. 

Written and composed by Matt Stone, Trey Parker, and Robert Lopez, two of which are creators of South Park, The Book Of Mormon has become a Broadway icon. The musical has gone to win 9 Tony Awards, and so many more prestigious awards. Not only are the actors bringing this story to life, but the people behind the scenes bring the flair to the outfits and makeup. Amy Elizabeth Bravo works in the wardrobe department of The Book Of Mormon and truly admires her job. COVID-19 not only changed her way of life but the way she will continue her career in the future. She is a part of the wardrobe union, called IATSE Local 764, and has been for about five years. She stated what her job requires her to do such as doing repairs on costumes and steaming outfits. She stated, “I am a day worker from Wednesday through Friday, which means I come into work at noon to make sure the costumes are ready for the show at 7 or 8 pm depending on the night.” … “and check them over for repairs. If the repair is small, like a button popped off, I'm responsible for fixing it.” … “On Saturday and Sunday, I work as the evening stitcher.” She has a very high responsibility of making sure that the actors look their best on stage. She mentioned how her job somewhat exemplifies one of an ‘understudy.’ She further explained by stating, “Since I'm there for part of the night show, I take care of any emergency repairs that may come in. Most importantly though, I'm a swing. It's like an understudy.” … “When a dresser takes a vacation or calls out sick, I get the call to come to fill in for them...” Without the work of people like Amy, the audience may realize if a button is missing, or a stitch has come undone. The behind the scenes members kind of represent a Jenga stack, without the base, (being the wardrobe department), there really is no story. 

Having worked for Broadway is no easy task, to begin with, but finding out that you are not allowed to work, and the return to work date hasn’t been figured out is even more challenging. For Amy Elizabeth Bravo, it is evident that working behind the scenes wasn’t just about work, her job made her feel like she was working with family. She stated, “...I spend the majority of my time at work with my coworkers, so I miss them a lot. The Book of Mormon is a satire, so all of the actors I work with are brilliantly funny. I miss laughing with them. One of my fellow dressers is my best friend, so I miss seeing her every day. I am friends with so many of my coworkers: we've broken bread together, met each other's families, vacationed together - losing that is just as bad as me losing my paycheck.” Due to COVID-19, about 22 million jobs were lost. Many people are still recovering from the loss, and it has been super hard for people to get back on their feet. 

One of the hardest pills to swallow is that theatre, including Broadway, was the first to close, and will most likely be the last to reopen. When putting it into her perspective Amy Elizabeth Bravo explained what she believed work would be like once Broadway reopened. She stated that Broadway probably won’t reopen until mask mandates aren’t necessary, and a vaccine is widely available because socially distancing in theatres will be difficult. She also spoke about the need for a ventilation upgrade. In all honesty, it is understandable why the league doesn’t want to reopen. Safety is a huge concern, but it’s mind-boggling how challenging the return will be. When asked about some challenges for her department in general, she stated, “Bite lights will probably go the way of the dinosaur. (Bite lights are little flashlights that dressers operate with our mouths by biting down so that we can have both hands free and see what we're doing in the wings.)” She also described that pre-pandemic she saw this as a gross tool, so she decided to use a reading light that clipped to the side of her glasses. Speaking with Amy Elizabeth Bravo brought forth a lot of valuable information and even some heartfelt truth which is necessary in these times. The Book Of Mormon plans to return in November of 2021. 

Developing Artists is a non-profit organization that was founded in 1999. Their mission includes providing a safe space for artists or, ARTivists, to both perform, and take part in classes. The young artists have shown so many people that teenagers are more than what the media displays them as. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the organization has put performances on hold, however, it has not stopped its teaching and trying to keep students together. Jill DeArmon is the Artistic Director of Developing Artists, and in speaking with her, she made sure to state that the answers she was giving were coming from her, and her alone. She has done so much for those amazing young adults and knew the Coronavirus would not stop her mission of helping these ARTivists grow. When asked about how teaching classes has gone, she stated, “There has been an incredible learning curve. Zoom fatigue is real. Watching people try to connect through the screen and not through their breath has been incredibly challenging. Once we got in the groove, we can’t do what we always do and put it on zoom, but we can make a new curriculum and only a curriculum that can only be done on zoom.” They have their groove going on. Including little segments that are called HISTORY TIME, where a performer teaches others about the history of playwrights/and or other famous performers. Another alternative that they have done is, “We sent all our students ring lights and they can all record sound better.” 

She stated that teaching in person, the vibe is different because everyone has their phones and computers away, and when students are on a Zoom call, they’re bound to be on their phones and they require their computer to even do the work. She even mentioned how the energy of just in-person teaching disappears once you’re on a Zoom call. She did however say that there are some lessons you can’t do in the classroom, that you can only do on Zoom, as mentioned previously. She described one lesson to be one where students are asked to grab an item from their room that has a special meaning to them, and then display it to the class. After they establish the feeling the object gives them, they have to use those feelings when they go back to performing. 

To keep students united, she has continued, with the help of others, to assign music videos for the students. One recent collaboration they did was with NYC Votes, and they tried to come up with a solution to the low youth voter registration percent. Developing Artists will also be giving their students instruments that don’t play along with music lessons, so that when they do return to performing they can play that instrument, in the new semester. As a class, they have also started viewing parties, since they make art out of things that happen around the world, most recently, they watched the debate together through Zoom. 

Rebel Verses is a show held by Developing Artists every year at the Vineyard Theatre. This year, it was supposed to happen, and after they were supposed to get on a bus and travel to Pennsylvania to continue performing the show. However, due to the pandemic that has been on hold. Ms. DeArmon stated her personal experience helping coordinate the show, and how it feels like home to her. She stated, “It’s like the only place I feel hopeful. My favorite time of year is Rebel Verses because it’s like no matter what is going, no matter how sick someone is, or who our president is, all of it gets washed away and these incredible, energetic teenagers come into a space together. I think it’s like getting a B-12 shot for adults.” She described the idea of seeing amazing teen artists as, “light, hope, and powerful.” She also stated, “If I could paint a picture of what I’d like for teenagers to be with each other, and everyone else, it would be Rebel Verses.” Rebel Verses is an amazing show with performances from young artists from New Jersey, New York, and even Pennsylvania. 

Jill DeArmon is dedicated to the arts, so it is evident that the closure of performing affected the way she lives and works. Despite the setbacks of this year, she is very much looking forward to the future of theatre. She explained that she feels that theatre should not be a necessity, but a desire. She believes that in the far future, there should come a time where theatre isn’t political, and it has to have a lesson. She explained that in her childhood it felt like an escape, and she hopes one day it can return to the whimsical Disney movie-like vibe it once had. Jill DeArmon still teaches classes, and a new semester is beginning soon. To check out more on Developing Artists, visit their website: https://www.developingartists.org/ 

Amaya Montanez and Layla Ferreiro have been friends for many years. Both are amazing poets and performers. Amaya attends the Mason Gross School of the Arts for Acting at Rutgers University. Layla goes to The New School in New York. Both are a part of Developing Artists and have participated in Rebel Verses. Layla has been a part of Developing Artists for about two years. When hearing that Rebel Verses would be canceled, Amaya stated, “ It was heartbreaking in so many ways. Thankfully we worked on other projects that you can check out on Developing Artists’ website. But once again, there was this longing to be with my company, to move in the same space as them, to feel the air of Vineyard Theater and the energy left behind by every person who had left part of their souls on that stage. Part of my soul is already on that stage and I have so much left to leave behind...” Rebel Verses means a lot to Developing Artists and the audience. Rebel Verses has been put off for a while due to the pandemic. Layla stated that their favorite part of being a part of Developing Artists is being able to work with such creative people. Layla said that Developing Artists is always a great place to focus on making new work and just being creative. 

As a performer, it is no secret that things aren’t how they used to be. Amaya described the wait of performing again as ‘torturous’ further stating, “I’ve been having this massive feeling of longing every since March. There are so many things happening in the world that make me want to create and of course, I still can but there is still this disconnect I feel through videos, posting poems, or zoom shows. There is a special connection and energy felt when being in the same room that cannot exist right now…” Not being able to do what you love is hard, it’s unimaginable how performers are feeling. Layla misses “being around cast members and maintaining those relationships... I love being around creative people and making stuff together and obviously, it’s great to show an audience, but the development is always my favorite.” When you’re working with such talented people, who wouldn’t miss it. 

Performing arts is crucial to any culture. Without dance, music, and spoken word, there is no doubt that the environment would be different. One remarkable performer is sixteen-year-old Katrina Rada. She is a talented singer and actress. Her favorite part about performing with others is, “...being able to form bonds and friendship with them. We’re all doing the thing we love and the energy we have when we are with each other is immaculate.” Along with many other performers, Katrina and her peers have been working both virtually and a few with a hybrid schedule. Katrina is not only a performer herself, but she is also a huge fan of Broadway. The closure of Broadway hit home for Katrina. She stated, “The closing of Broadway had been heartbreaking. I just love watching the show and being able to meet the cast at the stage door afterward. It’s crazy that I haven’t watched a musical in months which is so sad.” Katrina along with millions of people who miss Broadway dearly can’t wait for its comeback. 

Broadway and performances, in general, will truly be missed. Despite the agonizing pain of waiting, and the hardships of people who do work for the league, the comeback will undoubtedly be one to see. Our world is in desperate need of art, music, dance, and creativity. 2020 may have been unruly, however, things will hopefully be better next year when many shows plan on coming back. After all, the Earth without art is just eh.

The interviews in the article were conducted via email and Zoom by Kiana Maria.




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