Despite continued restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Loyola Department of Theatre Arts & Dance (TAD) is determined to keep producing art masked and six feet apart. The Department is still producing shows, holding masterclasses, hosting guest artists, and performing outdoor musical theatre cabarets.
Although the musical Head Over Heels has been pushed back until restrictions are lifted, TAD is still producing two mainstage productions this spring. The beautifully powerful Cadillac Crew, directed by Lauren Turner, premiered in January to sold out, socially distanced audiences in Marquette Theater. All the actors were masked as were audience members.
Cadillac Crew, January 2021.
Cadillac Crew, January 2021.
http://cmm.loyno.edu/theatre/article/loyola-tad%E2%80%99s-cadillac-crew-...
Stop Kiss, directed by Artistic Director Sal Mannino, will open in March in the Lower Depths Theater. Both Cadillac Crew and Stop Kiss have smaller cast sizes that allow them to be produced within Loyola’s COVID guidelines. Both have understudy casts that will have their own performance night, giving more students the opportunity to perform.
Throughout the semester, various Broadway, Regional Theatre, and New Orleans Theatre Artists will be conducting masterclasses. Some of the amazing artists sharing their gifts with our students are Justin Prescott, Hardy Weaver, Casey Leigh Thompson, Brandy Blocker and Karl Lengel. Read more about these talented professionals here:
http://cmm.loyno.edu/theatre/article/tad-welcomes-our-new-artist-residen...
http://cmm.loyno.edu/theatre/bio/hardy-weaver
https://www.broadwayworkshop.com/faculty_bio/casey-leigh-thompson/
http://cmm.loyno.edu/theatre/bio/karl-lengel
https://www.cityspringstheatre.com/about/staff/
Justin Prescott leads Musical Theatre students during class
Justin Prescott leads students in a master class
Justin Prescott leads students in a master class in Nunemaker Auditorium
Unmasked and indoor singing is still not allowed in the city of New Orleans, but that hasn’t stopped TAD’s musical theatre voice teachers from getting creative to give students the opportunity to perform. TAD will host several outdoor musical theatre cabarets this spring, giving musical theatre students the opportunity to sing live in front of peers.
For students interested in the public relations side of theatre, Mannino has plans to create a departmental PR team made up of dedicated students. The finer details are still in the works, but Mannino hopes to develop a team of students working on PR video, graphic design, writing, and social media
Read more about TAD creating art during the pandemic here:
http://cmm.loyno.edu/theatre/article/loyola-university-new-orleans-produ...
http://cmm.loyno.edu/theatre/article/trodding-boards-november-17-2020-pa...