Theatre department finds ways to continue production in producing Lugo’s first ever radio drama
Photo Courtesy of sjarnott.com
Radio drama being performed by CBS in 1937. Radio drama’s were initially created as an easier and cheaper way of listening to a play or performance. As technology kept improving, many realized that plays would be cheaper and more efficient by making them on radio.
November 13, 2020
The COVID-19 pandemic has created many obstacles for students and teachers alike, however it has not hindered the Theatre department’s ability to think outside the box and come up with a solution to continue production.
Many extra curricular programs have been facing many difficulties finding a way to continue doing what they love during these unprecedented times. Don Lugo’s ambitious theatre department has brainstormed an idea that allows them to safely display a production for all to enjoy. They will use their creativity to tackle the adventure that is to come in producing Lugo’s first ever, radio drama on The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
According to Theatrecrafts, a radio drama has “no visual component, radio dramas depend on dialogue, music, and sound effects to help the listener imagine the characters and story.” The theatre department will provide their audience with the needed auditory aspect of this production, and all that is needed from Lugo students is their imagination.
Radio dramas can be dated back all the way to the 1940’s to 1950’s, where the main source of entertainment came from the radio. Many plays were rewritten to accommodate the vast interest in radio dramas. However, the production of television served as a big competitor in the entertainment industry which made it difficult for radio dramas to compete.
Nonetheless, popularity in radio dramas has been increasing as more independent creators produce radio dramas. As Book Riot mentions, “Of course, one of the reasons audio entertainment has become so popular is due to the fact that it is now easier than ever before to acquire the necessary material to start an audio production.”
The possibilities are limitless for Lugo’s theatre department, they hope to display their radio drama by winter break, and are still deciding if the best platform to display their production on, is zoom. The theatre department understands that this will not be an easy task, considering there are many obstacles that come with doing everything virtually.
I feel we will have a very positive outcome, though I would prefer to do the production live in front of an actual audience
— Aiden Deming
Some of the challenges the theatre department is trying to solve is how to minimize any lagging that may occur in between lines, ensure that everyone unmutes at the appropriate time they are to say their line, as well as how to get the right timing for their sound effects. The theatre department wants to make sure that their performance is up to par with the expectations of Lugo students, and wants to do what they love best; entertain. As so many of us are going through difficult times during this pandemic, the theatre department will continue to work hard in producing an audio drama that is sure to leave a smile on your face.
“I love to perform, it is a passion for me, so I am quite looking forward to being in the production. Though it wouldn’t have been possible without the backing of the amazing people behind the production and that also includes my family and friends,” expresses Aiden Deming, a junior at Don Lugo who has been appointed the lead role in the radio drama, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.
