TAMPA | The Straz Center for the Performing Arts and its resident theater company Jobsite have taken the virtual stage by storm, launching a growing number of digital experiences in response to COVID-19.
“The performing arts are all about a full sensory experience,” the Straz Center has shared. “Even though our stages are dark for the moment, we’re committed to bringing you great experiences to watch, read and hear that still deliver all the feels.”
To engage theater enthusiasts from Tampa Bay to Sante Fe, the Straz Center invited “RENT” lovers to participate in its inaugural community sing-a-long in early April. Fans of the megahit musical were invited to record themselves singing “Seasons of Love” to create a compilation video.
“We were overwhelmed with the response to our first ever virtual community sing-a-long and we can’t wait for the next one,” the Straz shared the results April 17. “Thanks for singing with us, Tampa.”
Watch it below:
The organization’s next community compilation will be a virtual “dance-a-long” to “Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer. The song was chosen as a nod to “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical,” which would have played at the venue in May.
Kelly King, the lead contemporary dance teacher at the Patel Conservatory, will create chorography for the project. The Straz’s social media channels will share it April 24 and accept submissions until April 28. They hope to produce additional sing or dance-a-longs monthly as the shutdown continues.
Other recurring efforts include a “do-it-yourself” series of activities and “Tampa Total Request Live,” described as “a platform to share and support the talent and artistry Tampa Bay has to offer.” Supporters are encouraged to join the “Tampa Total Request Live at The Straz” Facebook group to participate.
Each Wednesday at 10 a.m., the Straz posts a weekly theme, asking followers to provide song suggestions. On Thursdays, the requests are shared in the Facebook group and artists are asked to submit video performances of the chosen songs, literal or abstract. Three or more of the interested artists are then chosen for digital interviews, with content due on Sundays for the video performances to be shared Wednesdays at 8 p.m.
Recurring content is also available from Jobsite, which began offering theatergoers online experiences at the peak of social distancing. The company announced two additional series on April 15.
“Like most arts organizations and live entertainment outlets,” co-founder and Producing Artistic Director David Jenkins shared, “we’re adjusting to a new reality in not being able to do the one thing that makes us, well, us: bringing a group of people together for a collective experience.
“Nothing can replace the dynamic, emergent, and communal magic of a live event (even though people have been trying to ring that death-bell for 2,500 years),” he continued, “but in a time like this we need to adapt in order to continue to bring people ‘together,’ to tell stories, to provide an outlet to our artists, and to remain active within our community.”
Each series – “One From the Vaults” and “Socially-Distant Soliloquies” – does exactly that, Jenkins explained. The latter collects personal stories from artists about their favorite experiences working with the company over the last 21 years. The latter was inspired by Shakespeare.
“We have invited an initial group of 21 performers from our past Shakespeare hits to take part by choosing any set speech, soliloquy, or sonnet they wish and performing it in a mundane (and socially distant) environment like an empty playground, their front porch, or while on a neighborhood walk for the camera,” Jobsite explains. “Already in the pipeline for this series are Midsummer alumni Cornelio Aguilera, Matt Aquard, Patrick A. Jackson, Sadie Lockhart, Kara Sotakoun, Katrina Stevenson among many other surprises from past Jobsite Shakespeare productions.”
The first official release can be seen below:
Jobsite also notes that it needs public support more than ever, adding that its annual online day of giving is April 28 from midnight until 11:59 p.m. The organization hopes to raise $10,000 from the general public with an additional $10,000 available through matching funds offered by their board and the Gobioff Foundation. Perks and giveaways will be available throughout the day.
Complete details about how to help the 21-year old resident theater company are available here. Its digital content can be found via social media and JobsiteTheater.org. For a full list of digital offerings from the Straz, follow them on social media and visit “The Show Must Go On,” their complete listing of virtual entertainment.
For the latest updates about COVID-19 and its impact on the LGBTQ communities in Tampa Bay and Central Florida, view Watermark’s frequently updated coverage here.
