Panorama students rehearsing for “Almost, Maine.” Photos courtesy of Panorama Drama Department.

The Panorama Drama Department has taken some measured steps in putting on a fall production while trying to limit the spread of COVID-19 among students, staff, and community members.

The department is performing a play titled “Almost, Maine” which consists of several vignettes that explore love and loss in the fictional remote, mythical town of Almost, Maine. Director Deb Arganbright says she chose this play because the scenes each only include two actors, which made it easier for social distancing, contact tracing, and the students’ rehearsal schedules. Junior Abbi Holloway says she enjoys the authenticity of the play’s script, “It’s a very modern setting, like our conversations between each other are very real and they are not written perfectly, they are written the way that a conversation actually goes. We make so many mistakes, scripted mistakes.”

The lead up to the play performances hasn’t been easy, as one of the scenes had to be cut due to one student being in quarantine this week, so senior Shekynah Haworth and Ethan Hafner encourage the community to support this endeavor, “I feel like we’re really lucky to be able to have a play because a lot of schools aren’t and a lot of other things are cancelled. So I think people should support this, compared to everything else that’s been cancelled, just to spread some positivity and get out of the house a little.”

“Almost, Maine” will be performed in the high school auditorium at 7 p.m. this Saturday and 2 p.m. this Sunday. Rows of seats will be blocked off and face coverings are highly encouraged, but the public can also watch the performances through an online livestream. Tickets are $5 both in person and for the livestream, with proceeds going to the drama department.