Pandemic adds movie magic to NHS musical theater

The "Little Shop of Horrors" has been a big place of opportunity for performers at Niwot High this spring. Students are movie stars instead of theater stars for their grand finale, something they wouldn't have experienced if not for the pandemic.

Because of restrictions on crowds and singing together, the production was filmed and will be streamed online May 7 and 8. "They'd say lights, camera, action. It was so much fun. It was a super cool experience," said senior Fiona Benson who plays one of the Ronettes, or doo-wop girls, in the show.

"We did have to change our acting style a bit. We didn't have to project as loudly, and we didn't have to be as theatrical and expressive because of how close the camera was, compared to how far away the audience usually is. The doo-wop girls still had to be quite expressive in our dances, though," Benson said. "This show is much more dance heavy than any show I've been in before."

Students recorded their singing parts at home. Performers then lip synched for the filming. They wore clear masks so their faces could be seen. Students in the stage tech class created the set, did lighting and sound and were behind the cameras while the actors recorded scenes multiple times, making sure they got a good take.

Musical theater and choir teacher Laura Walters directed and edited the show, blending all the individual voices while putting the scenes together. "Did I ever think that I would produce and direct and edit a full two-hour movie in a month-and-a-half? Definitely no. Am I exhausted from it all? Absolutely. Was it completely worth it? 100%," she said.

"At the beginning of the year I thought there was no way we would be able to do a musical," Walters said. "We put on such incredible shows every year and it broke my heart to think we would miss out this year. After I did all of the editing for our virtual choirs, I started realizing that it would actually be possible to pull off something like this. As I've edited together the scenes for the show I am just blown away. I have been brought to tears quite a few times."

Along with changing their acting style for the camera, students gained other new experiences. The human-eating plant is a huge puppet. Students who operated it learned to be puppeteers after a full day of instruction from the plant's creator. "Watching that work is so cool," Benson said.

"I really love this show," Benson said. "The music is super catchy. I'm super grateful that we got to do it, especially for my senior year. It was fun meeting people and being social for the first time in a while because of the pandemic. We just had a blast doing it."

Student Audrey Asbury put together a trailer for the show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_SdjrDGQ50

Tickets for the online performance are $10 per device. https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/51180