CSC Live helps Theatre expand its audience

“Most viewers expected only one camera so they were pleasantly surprised by the use of multiple cameras and multiple views. Overall, it was a very positive experience,” Cavin said. “It’s exciting and fun. We’ll do it again. We want to offer this to people who don’t yet feel comfortable in the theatre.”

Cavin said when he contacted Concord Theatricals regarding an exception for licensing the play to be seen via CSC Live, they were willing to work with the college.

“They were eager just to get the product out there. With the pandemic, theatres are almost vacant. They quickly approved my request,” Cavin said.

Digital Graphic Designer Daniel Binkard, who collaborated with Cavin and Jenn Poarch to translate the stage presentation to video, said they acquired a set of equipment that can be used for other streamed events in the Memorial Hall auditorium, such as commencement.

Binkard trained Shanie Hollenbeck, a recent Theatre graduate, to run the live stream including the cameras, switcher, and streaming software. She directed test broadcasts during rehearsals, and the two live broadcasts.

“I advised Shanie on shot setups, and she had a great instinct for how she would switch from a wide shot to a close-up, and so on throughout the performance,” Binkard said.

In planning the broadcasts, Binkard offered adjustments ideal for video delivery.

“The cameras don't respond to the contrast levels of theatrical lighting the same way our eyes do, so we needed to factor that in. We also worked with the student workers on the sound mix, sound for the broadcast, to make sure the actors' voices, Bobby Pace's piano, and the pre-recorded sound elements all came through at appropriate levels,” Binkard said. “It was a busy time, and I think everyone involved did a fantastic job.”

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