Fall Play Review and Interview With Ms. Wallace

Ally Newkirk

As Covid-19 kept all schools in the middle tennessee area for putting on a Fall Play production, Ms. Wallace and the cast of Half Full would not leave an awaiting audience unpleased. She and the various students put in the time and hard work to create a unique experience unlike any other BGA fall production. The play used inspiration from past alumni, current students, and current teachers to capture the impact of Covid during our time. 

Q: What did Covid impact the most during the production? 

A: Covid impacted not only the way we performed the play (with masks), but also the rehearsal process. We rehearsed individual scenes and monologues on different days, to avoid having the whole cast at rehearsal until right at the end. We also paid extra attention to the sanitization of shared microphones. Keeping the audience socially distanced was not difficult, since their chairs were spaced out for them. But, keeping the actors at a safe distance (on stage and off) was definitely a challenge and something we all had to be vigilant about.

The team of actors and Ms. Wallace used extra precaution in all practices and performances to ensure the safety of themselves and their audiences. With precautions in place, each actor found a way to have a shining moment. From serious monologues to uplifting scenes, the Half Full cast did a phenomenal job in taking real life experiences into perspective on stage. 

Q: Were there any rewarding experiences? 

A: The very fact that we got to do an in-person play made the whole thing a rewarding       experience, especially since we were not able to do our musical last spring. I am very grateful to Mr. Griffin and Mr. Kesler for everything they did to help us do an in-person production when so many other schools were unable to. 

Even with a smaller audience due to Covid precautions, the BGA theatre students owned the stage each night along with the outstanding stage directors and crew. You could see how happy each and every person was just to have the chance to perform on the Harlin Student Center stage once more. Seniors Georgia Link and Butch iSamide took on leading roles in each of their scenes and performed an impressive last fall play performance. 

Q: What is your favorite memory from the fall play? 

A: My favorite memory from the fall play was definitely seeing how excited and proud the various writers/contributors were to see their original pieces performed. When something you have written makes an audience laugh, or moves them emotionally, it’s always a special feeling. I loved sharing that experience with the students.