Key Points:
Yaya’s Performance Academy is a youth and family-based theatre company in Long Beach, California. They are open to all ages and value teaching theatre to people with different levels of experience.
Public health guidelines have restricted in-person theatre production, so Yaya’s has shifted online for virtual productions. Those involved have had to adjust to the new formatting but are willing to do anything for the love and continued existence of theatre.
Yaya’s Performance Academy is a youth and family-based theatre company in Long Beach, California. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and how it has affected ticket sales and overall admission pricing, they lost their rehearsal studio of 4 years. Once COVID-19 guidelines permit community theatre to commence again, they will have to rent out a spare room in a local church to prepare for shows.
In the meantime, they have been experimenting with online theatre production, culminating into their most recent venture: an all-virtual performance of “Beauty and the Beast.”
Mike Bradecich, professional actor and editor of Yaya's virtual productions, said he spent a total of 200 hours editing the finished product.
“Beauty and the Beast was rough because there were 40 kids...they got into theatre to act, not be their own DP.”
Clocking in at just over an hour total, including a 10 minute intermission, the production aired for two nights this January.
Grace Osier, a 17-year-old performer, starred as ‘Belle’ in this production.
“When you’re in person and you’re the lead of the show, you’re able to get the feedback of everyone in the room and you’re able to grow with everyone as a cast...so virtually, while it is a great opportunity, it is a little anxiety inducing.”
She expressed the struggle of not being able to look around at her castmates for feedback. Instead, she was filming herself, in full costume and make-up, singing and performing scenes alone in her living room.
(pictured: two photos of Belle and the Beast in Beauty and the Beast )
Tessa Holder, a longtime member of Yaya’s at 14 years old, told us how she had to learn a whole new software in order to be able to record herself singing, as well as purchase lighting and sometimes audio equipment.
Here's her checklist for filming and submitting choreography videos:
Full hair and make-up
Find your space
Go outside to use the garage as a blank background
Prop your phone against the computer to record
Play a pre-recorded dance on your computer to follow along
Edit the video so it's just the 'take' you want
Upload the video to Dropbox/Google Drive for the editor to access
She says "it’s definitely been an experience, but it’s something. It’s better than nothing.”
Despite the hardship, Tessa, Grace, and Mike all agreed that theatre is too important to lose, especially in the global isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic.
I’m able to express myself through it. It’s a good way to get jitters out...Not having it in my life makes it a little more empty, so I’m just doing whatever I can to get back into musical theatre.
-Tessa Holder, Performer
Theatre skills are life skills...You’re learning empathy whether you’re doing it to create a part or you’re doing it to be a good person.”
-Mike Bradecich, Actor & Production Editor
Especially now with (increased) loneliness and depression, and there’s a lack of hope in society, I think things like art and theatre being accessible virtually are so, so valuable.
-Grace Osier, Performer
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