Arts & Entertainment, Schools Scene

Curtain Up on RFH Tower Players’ First Virtual Show

The pandemic isn’t stopping the Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School (RFH) Tower Players from going on with the show. The troupe has set the stage for the curtain to go up on their first virtual production. The Tower Players’ fall drama, Shuddersome: Tales of Poe, will be staged online on Nov. 20.

Photos/RFH

Adapted by Lindsay Price, Shuddersome is a theatrical interpretation of four of Edgar Allan Poe’s most noted thriller short stories: The Tell-Tale Heart, The Oval Portrait, The Raven, and Masque of the Red Death.

In light of safety protocols in place due to COVID-19, the rehearsal process has a different look and venue. The RFH stage has been replaced by a screen; and, all performances now take shape within the homes of each student. In addition to the new COVID-safe rehearsal format, students have also taken on production and directorial roles this year, such as film editors, technical supervisors, music supervisors, and props masters.

Spearheaded by lead artistic directors Isabella “Bella” Sciortino and Aidan Herman along with their team of student directors, rehearsals in the online medium have focused on character development and technological troubleshooting, rather than blocking and choreography. In order to create the ultimate show, student actors record each of their scenes, student editors put the scenes together, and the artistic directors ensure the cohesion and integrity of the big picture. 

In the play, the at-home audience watches as a young teenager (Evan Callas), fascinated by the stories of Poe, becomes enthralled with the gothic writing, and slowly transforms into Poe himself. 

The Tower Players are led by director KasiAnn Sweeney, assistant director and play production coordinator Susan Schuld, technical director Matthew Leddin, choreographer Jennifer Romano, and costumes and props director Catherine Cleary.  

Online curtain for Shuddersome: Tales of Poe will take place via a pre-recorded stream on Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, at 7:30 p.m. The link will be available on the RFH website at www.rumsonfairhaven.org.