Throughout Pandemic, MCC Believes “The Show Must Go On”

When the pandemic struck, Karen Oster, Performing Arts Chair at Middlesex Community College, got to work. As Middlesex transitioned to online formats for classes and student services in the spring 2020 semester, Oster started thinking of creative ways she could continue giving students the knowledge, tools and support they need to succeed.

“This is a major historical event in our lives and we have to continue to thrive even though it’s happening,” she said. “We can’t just sit back and not acknowledge it. Everyone needs a sense of normalcy. We have to feel like our brains and bodies are still working – we’re still moving and active. It’s so easy to get complacent with it and sit back until it’s over, but it’s not going to be over – it’s going to be different and change. We have to stay connected and engaged.”

Most of MCC’s Performing Arts courses this fall will be offered online in a live synchronous format. Oster believes classes that have more of a lecture component are easy to offer online. In her acting classes, watching over the camera allows her to get a closer view of her students. This helps her to explore the nuances of a student’s craft in a different way than she does in person.

“We’ve gotten to the point where students are excited about creating,” she said. “Everybody has been comfortable working on Zoom. It’s been really fun to stay connected.”

Some of the classes – including the backstage set class and those that include monologues ­– may also have opportunities for students to come on campus while remaining socially distant, wearing proper personal protective equipment (PPE), and following safety guidelines. Students will also get their temperatures checked before entering the theatre.

Oster wants to remain connected to her students because in her classes and throughout the shows she directs, she promotes a family feel in which her students flourish. It is this shared passion and comfort level that helped Abby McIsaac adjust to college during her first semester.

A Performing Arts major from Tyngsborough, McIsaac plans to graduate in Spring 2021 and transfer to Emerson. She is grateful for all of the opportunities MCC has gifted her throughout her time in the program, including working as the Assistant Stage Manager for the college’s production of “Noises Off” in the Fall 2019 semester.

When the pandemic struck, McIsaac was unsure of how her creative courses would proceed, but she knew she could not afford to stop taking classes.

“With life being put on pause due to the pandemic, I've found that it is more important than ever for me to continue my education,” she said. “By doing so, I'm still moving forward instead of letting quarantine hold me back from pursuing my goals. Also, having a routine that adds structure to my days while simultaneously teaching me new ways to keep being creative has made the transition from in-person to online learning much easier to handle.”

Lizzie Cormier, a Theatre major from Dracut who graduated in Spring 2019, also believes that both Oster and the Richard and Nancy Donahue Family Academic Arts Center give Middlesex an advantage and students a wonderful experience that rivals four-year schools.

Although the pandemic presented a challenge, Cormier believes Oster and MCC overcame it.

“It was simple for Karen to transition to an online theatre program with the same compassion and encouragement as always, making her not only a dedicated educator, but a necessary leader who, in times like these, the students are desperate for,” she said. “I have seen firsthand the magic made in this theatre department and I know it will continue, despite the state of the world.”

In order to continue performing and being active in the community, the department is working on an exciting and innovative performance in a safe space that will be livestreamed.

McIsaac will be the Assistant Stage Manager for the new project and is involved in a read-through of “Into the Breeches” that will also be live-streamed. While adjusting to performing in front of the camera felt awkward at first, she adapted.

“I grew to learn that our online interpretations held a much deeper meaning that couldn't be replicated live – and for the more comedic scenes, I found hilarious jokes that couldn't be done on the stage,” she said. “As for my other classes, I struggled a lot with staying on top of my work and not letting procrastination take over. Eventually, I figured out how to manage my time better and plan on using those mistakes I made to learn from and succeed this coming semester.”

Cormier is the Production Stage Manager for fall, winter and spring productions. She found that the weekly Zoom check-ins and reassurance from Oster was what kept her going. Although Cormier loves live theatre, being able to perform online has kept up her motivation and drive.

“The same goes with any of the academics,” she said. “Once you stop it’s hard to get back into the muscle memory of it, so it’s good to keep doing as much as you can – despite how much of a change it is.”

Over the summer, Oster took the opportunity to get creative with online teaching.

Oster partnered with Merrimack Reparatory Theatre and Interim Artistic Director Terry Berliner to put on a workshop for 10 MCC students to create content, give advice and put together an audition video. The group met virtually over the course of eight weeks.

When MCC’s College for Kids summer theatre program was canceled due to the pandemic, Oster and other Performing Arts faculty volunteered their time to offer a free camp for kids. Participants spent two full days a week on Zoom to put together a revue of songs and scenes.

The kids and their parents appreciated having a fun activity and sense of normalcy to look forward to each week.

“We have about 30 kids who were so excited to be doing something and it made a huge difference when we’re dealing with such financial hardship right now to provide something for them that they didn’t have to worry about paying for,” Oster said. “We just wanted to make sure we were staying connected.”

In the spring, Oster met weekly online with her classes and the members of what would have been the spring production of “Man of La Mancha.” The group even created an animated video of them singing songs from the show. Oster also kept up with online rehearsals of the college’s improv group “Random Acts” and the Shakesportable Players – a group of students who perform scenes from Shakespeare and join in talkbacks for local high schools.

Oster wants to keep her students engaged with the community, as well as the performing arts industry. Throughout the upcoming semester, Oster is organizing master classes with industry professionals, including Randy Graff who was an original member of “Les Misérables” and playwright Deborah Brevoort whose play “Women of Lockerbie” MCC put on last fall.

It’s important that students see people other than me and they are connected with industry professionals,” Oster said. “It’s important for people to know that Middlesex is not just a small place. We have some outstanding programming and it’s a fantastic opportunity for students to learn about and study theater. It’s a much more viable option financially and it’s high-powered.”

Oster has numerous projects lined up for the Fall semester within the local community, including a project with the organization Free Soil Arts Collective. MCC will partner with playwright Idris Goodwin for online performances of his five short plays and a talkback to discuss racism. The project highlights the creativity of people of color and will feature diverse actors and directors.

In December, MCC’s theatre department also plans to put on an online performance of “It’s a Wonderful Life Radio Play.”

Oster is going above and beyond to ensure her students have a safe space to learn and grow throughout the pandemic. She also wants to make sure they have the necessary skills – that now includes video, audio and working with the camera – to lend to their success in the industry.

“I belong to theater resource groups online that are providing a lot of resources and there are people who are now just starting to think about this for the fall and I’ve been thinking about it for awhile,” Oster said. “We’re now at the point of creating something new and exciting that is going to be able to carry students through in other ways for the rest of their lives.”

As Cormier said, “The arts have the power to change lives and they will continue to at MCC, no matter what the future holds.”

This Fall, Middlesex is offering over 25 Performing Arts courses, including theatre, dance and music classes. The college offers personalized financial aid counseling, payment plans and a supportive community to help keep students on track with their goals.

MCC is also offering incentives to help students continue their education. One incentive offers 50 percent off a first class to students who were laid-off due to COVID-19. The college is also offering 50 percent off one course to new students in celebration of the college’s 50th anniversary. Qualifying students must register by September 10.

Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/save for participation rule.

To learn more about the classes and opportunities MCC offers – and to register for Fall classes – visit www.middlesex.mass.edu/registration/ or call 1-800-818-3434.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in online education for more than 20 years. We educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners, offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!