By Elizabeth Wulfhorst
MIDDLETOWN – One of the casualties of the statewide shutdown in March was the traditional spring high school musical. Many performing arts programs around the Two River area never had a chance to debut the shows they worked so hard to produce.
With safety guidelines like social distancing, mask wearing and limits on indoor group activities, these programs are continuing to suffer into the fall – and most likely through the winter – of the 2020-21 school year.
But one awarding-winning program has found a way to showcase its talented students and let the show go on. Last weekend Mater Dei Prep unveiled its new outdoor stage, situated on the main lawn of the school’s campus in the New Monmouth section of Middletown, which gives students the opportunity to perform in front of an audience while maintaining social distancing and other safety measures.
Cindy Dwyer, the longtime director of the Seraph Players, the school’s performing arts group, devised the concept for the outdoor stage a few months ago. “It was very important to me to keep the program alive, and to get my students in front of a live audience. It was even more important to do it in a way that would keep the students and the audience safe,” she said. “I knew it had to be outdoors, and fortunately Mater Dei is blessed with a large and beautiful front lawn that offers a perfect venue for a stage.”
With the support of the administration and approval from the school’s COVID-19 Task Force, construction began on the project in August.
Designing and building the structure, which has six levels to make social distancing of performers easier, fell to a group of parents who have been active with the program for many years. Jim Vail, parent to Nora Vail, an MDP alumna and member of the Seraph Players from 2012-16, was master carpenter on the project. He explained that constructing the stage wasn’t very different from preparing sets for any of the numerous shows he’s worked on for the school in the past.
“We had several platforms already constructed in our inventory,” Vail said. “We fastened them together, leveled them, and before you know it, we had something that looked like a stage. At that point, the artists took over and gave it the great rustic look it now has.”
To pay tribute to Vail’s work with the program over the years, the stage was named the J. Vail Stage. He was also honored at the inaugural performance Friday, Sept. 18, which Vail said made him a little emotional.
“On Friday, when Danny Palmer and Colin Sullivan came on stage in their role as emcees, they started by giving me a heartfelt thank you for my contributions over the years. That did it for me! What I do for Seraph Players is not work for me. It is how I have fun,” Vail said.
“We are so lucky to have these amazing parents,” said Dwyer, also noting the extensive contributions of Sherrie and Jon Cole (parents to Griffin Cole, a 2018 graduate). “Their children may have graduated, but they remain committed to the program, and have given us countless hours of their time,” she said. Parents of currents students, like senior Alexis Lombardo, also helped by donating supplies, including the landscaping around the stage, and volunteering their time.
After Friday night’s performance, Alexis said, “It truly just felt great to be performing in front of an audience that isn’t my living room again,” a sentiment echoed by her peers.
“Performing on the outside stage felt really refreshing,” said sophomore Danny King. “The last time I performed was through a screen, so to be able to perform in person again made the experience much more enjoyable. On top of that, the outside stage is made really well, so it just feels good to be on.”
Audience members must sit at least 15 feet from the stage, bring their own chairs, stay 6 feet apart within family groups and wear masks. Performers are masked when not on stage and temperature-checked before each show.
“This was a total labor of love,” said Sherrie Cole. “The show must go on and we were prepared to do whatever was needed to get the kids and the program back into action. To see the kids’ faces light up on stage was worth it all for me.”
Friday’s performance was a cabaret-style show; upcoming dates include a Miscast Musicals cabaret Oct. 2, a Night of 10-Minute Plays Oct. 9-10 and, in time for Halloween, a Musical Villains cabaret Oct. 30. The Seraph Players will also present a fall musical this year, with performances Nov. 6-8. All performances are weather permitting, with scheduled ran dates.
While there is no admission fee for most of the performances, the school noted that donations are appreciated and light refreshments are available for purchase.
“The show was everything I had hoped it would be,” said Dwyer about the first Seraph Players production since last year. “It was a beautiful evening under the stars, the students were excited to be back on stage, and the audience was thrilled to be enjoying live performances once again. I look forward to many more nights like this one.”
This article originally appeared in the Sept. 24-30, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
