Due to the ongoing pandemic, Roxbury High School’s fall drama production of A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play by Philip Grecian won’t be available for live performances. But as with all things in the theater, the show must go on and in life, we need to find those silver linings!
This year’s silver lining is that patrons don’t just get to see the show once but can view it multiple times all Thanksgiving Weekend from November 26-29th.
Those interested in viewing the performance need to complete a (this) Google form to be sent video access information from the RHS Drama Director, Mr. Patrick Hachey.
Roxbury High School’s Performing Arts Department is reliant on ticket sales to fund their productions and unfortunately, due to the pandemic, ticket sales for live performances are unavailable. If viewers are interested in pledging a donation to the Roxbury High School Performing Arts department, they can do so via the Google form .
A note from our Director, Patrick Hachey
When faced with the difficult task of producing a fall play during a pandemic, I was unsure if I could find a way to provide our students with a theatrical experience that would keep them safe. As I began to read various scripts with the ideas of social distancing and mask compliance in mind, I kept hitting roadblocks with each script that I read: physical comedies, romantic stories, and action-packed adventures would be impossible to stage convincingly. Just when I was ready to give up, a crazy idea popped into my head—a radio play!
Radio plays gained popularity in the 1930s and 40s. In these broadcasts, voice actors would portray characters in a scripted drama while foley artists and musicians would create sound effects and musical scores in the radio studio to enhance the storytelling. The basic premise of a staged radio play is that the actors you see in the production are “radio actors” who portray the characters in the story using their voice and facial expressions. It is similar to a staged reading where the actors have the scripts in front of them, for reference, but still deliver fully nuanced performances. In our production, these actors are also acting as foley artists, creating a soundscape to accompany the dialogue.
Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol contains many themes that I feel are important for our students to experience, both on stage and in the real world. Throughout the story, we see Ebeneezer Scrooge, with the help of some unexpected visitors, journey from isolation, anger, and greed, to redemption, compassion, generosity, and love. My hope is that both the student actors in our production as well as you, our audience, gain some perspective on what is truly important in our shared human experience. I hope you enjoy the performance!
- Google Form Link: http://forms.gle/hZcR4v7FiLjWgc9w9
- Promotional Poster
For more information, contact: Roxbury Community School/Community Relations Coordinator Ann Rhodes at arhodes@roxbury.org or 973-584-7699.
ABOUT ROXBURY PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Roxbury Public Schools is a K-12 school district preparing the children of today for tomorrow. As a dynamic and thriving district, in partnership with a supportive and collaborative community, Roxbury Public Schools inspires and empowers all learners to flourish as ethical and global citizens in the 21st century. The district serves students throughout Roxbury Township, New Jersey, including the areas of Landing, Kenvil, Succasunna, Ledgewood, Mount Arlington, Port Morris, Flanders, and Wharton. Connect with us online at www.roxbury.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RoxburyPublicSchools.
