Post Oak's Virtual Theatre Night Debut

Each year Post Oak’s High School puts on a fall theatre performance. Whether a musical or play, these student shows range from Shakespeare-inspired Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, to the comedic four-part Title of Show. Many students have taken part in acting, directing and producing these performances.

This year, the productions differed from a more traditional full-length performance format, and instead featured two one-act plays: The Jest of Hahalaba and What's the Meta?

According to Ms. Bowman, Museum District Campus Theatre teacher, this style has been of interest to our student performers for some time. With an upper-level theatre class composed of many talented student directors, as well as the need to host these shows in an online setting, this year seemed a perfect opportunity to conquer this new type of show.

Even with short performances, there was an enormous amount of work required to put them on. Student directors translated their visions into the production side of the shows, while lights, sound, makeup and costume teams worked hard on the performances’ overall effect. 

Throughout the plays, there are dramatic background shifts accompanied by pronounced sound effects. There was also extensive work on backgrounds in order to make the actors appear to be in the same room. Another impressive outcome of the process was the relationship building and rapport the actors were able to form despite the online medium. They were able to work together and establish relationships with each other on the screen, which was a testament to how much effort they put into these performances.

Although for many people it is sad to miss the annual tradition of going to the theatre to support fellow students, there were upsides. Aiden, a freshman in charge of lights and sound remarked, “Being able to flawlessly add backgrounds and lights to videos... without having to have a massive setup and being able to do it from my house has been an unexpected bright side to this performance.”

Consistent with previous years, the cast included students from every level. For many students new to the high school, this was their first time acting, while others were theatre veterans who have been performing since their freshman year. This performance was a great representation of how, no matter the circumstances, students are able to problem-solve, express themselves creatively, and provide an enjoyable evening of entertainment to our community.

Did you miss the shows? It's not too late to catch the recordings.

Watch on YouTube