Murder on the Orient Express
-Live Theatre During Covid-19-

October 2020

Somehow I am one of a few performers able to work during the pandemic. Here in Utah, Hale Center Theatre (a theatre known for heading major new technologies) has opened it’s doors to their patrons. Required to wear masks, audience members are able to watch the musicals and plays put on by Hale. One of which is Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, which I am fortunate to be a part of. 

The rehearsal process was intense, my responsibility to keep others safe has not been lost on me. Because Hale remains a community theatre, (choosing to stay non-equity because of their belief in Utah’s local talent level) they have led the way in discovering how to create the magic while in this new dystopia. 

Masks were worn at all times until two weeks before we opened. Then we were only allowed to take them off while onstage. I was unaware of what most of my cast mates looked like I was shocked to learn how many had facial hair! We learned while acting with masks to communicate through our eyes, I have never felt such connection onstage before. Props and set pieces are sanitized between each player’s use, and during performances we hide our masks in prop handbags and pockets, so we are able to put them right back on once backstage. 

I am aware that this is controversial, and I do not expect everyone to support the choice the theatre has made to remain open, or my choice to be a part of it. But what I will say is that I have felt safer during this show than at my job in a restaurant or in any other public outing. And there has been no spread of Covid cases among the cast and crew for the four months we have been open.