Our Show Must Go On (2022)

Every student/school play production (well, every play production for that matter) comes with it's own set of ups and downs: it's own emotional roller coaster if you will. From the excitement of the play announcement, to the nerves of auditions, through the ups and downs of casting and the stress of learning lines and blocking. Then there's that magical cathartic moment on opening night. It's really an amazing ride every time. Now, imagine taking this journey in the Fall of 2021, when the COVID Delta variant was on the rise, increasing COVID restrictions and new mitigation techniques were in place as kids headed back to school: things just got a whole lot more complicated. How did they keep the kids safe? What would have happened if a cast member got COVID? How did they block the play and stay socially distant? Did they have to wear masks? How did masks affect their performance? Did the audience need to be masked? Was it worth all the risks? Our Show Must Go On is a documentary feature film about how one middle school faced and overcame challenges to produce a play in the midst of the covid pandemic. Frozen Vapor Studios worked with AG Wright Middle School in Stafford, VA to get inside access to the production of their Fall 2021 play. Even with all that was going on, the school was nonetheless determined to provide their students with this wonderful enrichment opportunity. Led by the drama teacher, Rudy Lane, and guided by the Principal, Carly Hegna, they navigated these uncharted waters, made some unconventional decisions, and ultimately pulled off what at first seemed impossible. This achievement will be long cherished by all those involved and touched by this production.