By: Nina Jeffries

In March 2020, the world was shut down due to the current Coronavirus pandemic that we are still in today. Now one year later, we have seen changes throughout the past few months including being able

to go back to school, public places being allowed to increase capacity and the Covid vaccines becoming more available to everyone. Everything is starting to go back to normal, but when things were still questionable, the performing arts struggled the most. From Broadway to local high school productions. being shut down back in March, theatre struggled to stay alive.

When Dr. Krack became the advisor to the Lion Players back in January of 2020, finding a way to do theatre in the middle of a pandemic almost seemed impossible. So, when the fall semester started, the Lion Players went virtual with their first production She Kills Monsters: Virtual Realms. This production was then filmed in a zoom setting and using virtual backgrounds. Then when the spring semester started, Dr. Krack decided to go the virtual route again, but even deeper with using virtual reality technology for their upcoming production, Comedy of Errors.

I interviewed Dr. Krack to get more information on using virtual reality for theatre. The first question I asked was about what made Dr. Krack decide to use the virtual reality for the production. Dr. Krack stated, “Our first production, She Kills Monster: Virtual Realms, was produced on Zoom.  In fact, the playwright rewrote his original stage play so that it could be produced via Zoom, or other video-conferencing apps.  With Comedy of Errors, I wanted to do something different so that it was more than just a bunch of talking heads on Zoom.  Earlier in the semester, I mentioned in a faculty/staff meeting that I wanted to do a reading of Comedy of Errors on Zoom. Dan Bowers, who works in the IT department on campus, suggested that I look into virtual reality.  I also participated in a workshop, hosted by PSU, about the possibilities that VR could offer in the classroom and I thought that I could easily use VR for the Lion Players production.”

I then asked, “what are some of the challenges of directing a virtual production using a virtual reality setting?” Dr. Krack replied, “There are quite a few challenges in directing a virtual production.  It took me a little bit of time to decide upon a particular app to use because every VR app has different capabilities.  I needed a platform that would allow me to host my entire cast and would allow me to record what was happening on the screen.  I also needed an app that would allow the performers to customize their avatars to fit their characters—just like live performers do with costumes and make up.  Another challenge was making sure that all the cast members had the appropriate technology.  Then, once the cast members had the technology, they had to familiarize themselves with the VR app.  We used a virtual reality-based game called Rec Room.  The performers had to spend some time customizing their avatars and learning how to move in the virtual space.  When we were performing, it was challenging to read the lines and move the characters at the same time.  On stage, the actors are able to move freely and to interact with each other; this is much more difficult in the VR world—it’s difficult to see where you are in relation to one another and difficult to interact with each other in a way that looks natural—especially when there is a scene with many actors in it.”

With such a drastic change, I wanted to know if the directing aspect of things was easier or harder in this situation. Dr. Krack stated, “In my experience, I don’t think that one is easier than the other. Virtual and live productions share some similar challenges such as organizing the cast and setting up a rehearsal schedule.  I do, however, prefer working in a live setting because I can see the real people and maneuver them on stage to create effective stage pictures to tell the story—this is much more of a challenge in the virtual space.”

Finally, I asked about where people could find the play. He replied, “The Lion Players will present the production on their website: www.sites.psu.edu/lionplayers  The website is currently live; however, we will post the acts serially beginning on April 19th and culminating on April 23rd, Shakespeare’s 457th birthday!”

Be sure to checkout the Lion Players website: www.sites.psu.edu/lionplayers where you can view the acts and look at the cast lists. You can also subscribe to be notified for new content. Congratulations to all cast, crew, and Dr. Krack on going against the odds and putting together an excellent play during such an unpredictable time!