ThereB次元官网网址檚 just no stopping these kids from making sure the show must go on.
The annual PACE Christmas concert, a favourite family tradition on the West Shore, is going virtual for the first time.
PACE At Home For The Holidays is ready to roll, thanks to the determined efforts of everyone involved from productions past, present and future, said Sandy Webster-Worthy, artistic director for the musical theatre academy.
B次元官网网址淐reating a Christmas show during a pandemic is not for the faint of heart. But through it all, the talent, spirit dedication and commitment of the PACE Musical Theatre Academy students has been nothing short of inspirational,B次元官网网址� she said.
READ ALSO: Colwood sparkles with Christmas lights for second year
To make the production possible, the stage at Isabelle Reader Theatre B次元官网网址� the showB次元官网网址檚 traditional home B次元官网网址� was converted into a makeshift movie set complete with lights, green screens and elaborate settings for the 120 performers, Webster-Worthy said. About half of the show filmed outside at different locations.
B次元官网网址淐hristmas Hallelujah was filmed at Esquimalt Lagoon on a blustery November day, and the traditional carols were done at night in Veterans Memorial Park in the midst of spectacular lights. The dance numbers were filmed on school fields using a drone camera,B次元官网网址� Webster-Worthy noted.
B次元官网网址淭he artistic team spearheading the production expanded to add two amazing talents, Justin Sealy as the director of photography and Pedro Almeida Siquera as the film editor.B次元官网网址�
Choreographers Jennifer Sanders and Nicki Shotton had to come up with creative ways to accommodate camera closeups, while musical directors Taylor Holmwood and Ashley Dovell added music editor to their job descriptions.
B次元官网网址淲e even tapped the resources of a couple of former PACE students working in the film industry in L.A.,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淒erek Bayham and Calum Worthy graciously jumped in to help with directing, editing and scripting.
B次元官网网址淓veryone lathered with hand sanitizer at every turn and we rehearsed the choreography in parking lots, with one student per parking space.B次元官网网址�
READ ALSO: Victoria Foundation channels nearly $2.4 million to hard-hit community organizations
Performers maintained social distancing while learning and recording songs in groups of seven students on stage instead of a hundred students or more, as was done in the past.
B次元官网网址淭hey have mastered the art of singing to a single little camera lens instead of an audience of 300 and learned how to smile at a drone in the sky while they dance.B次元官网网址�
The show features a mix of old and new that will appeal to all ages, Webster-Worthy said.
B次元官网网址淭here are traditional favourites like Silent Night, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and some fun new ones as well, including an environmentally-themed 21st-century version of Deck the Halls. We also changed the lyrics to Be My Guest from Beauty and the Beast to B次元官网网址淲ash Your Hands.B次元官网网址�
PACE At Home For The Holidays is available to buy online until Dec. 21 at . COVID-19 has increased the ticket cost to $25 to cover the additional expenses of a virtual production.
B次元官网网址淏ut now the whole family can watch it from Dec. 22 to Jan. 4 in the cozy comfort of their home every day through the holidays for the old price of two adult tickets,B次元官网网址� Webster-Worthy said, adding with a laugh, B次元官网网址渙r 186 times if they like.B次元官网网址�
