Being a high school play/musical director is hard. To make sure dozens of teenagers know how to express the correct lines, movements, emotions, timing, placements, songs, and choreography PERFECTLY before a specific and closing in deadline, and making it look good has got to be pretty exhausting. That’s what Rosemary Cline has been doing for the past 13 years and continues to do today, despite the pandemic.

Cline herself is an actress who has been doing shows for the past 36 years and counting. She has two children, WHB junior Carter Cline and 2020 WHB graduate Sophie Cline. Both have been a part of theater since they were little. “She puts her heart and soul into every show,” Carter says. “Even at home she works for hours … always trying to make sure everyone is happy.”

But with Covid-19 still affecting everyday life, the possibility of doing a school show this year was diminishing. That’s why, when the school announced they would be doing a run through this year instead, she and the rest of the theater community were very excited. Even with the show happening, everyone involved will have to follow some rules.

The original plan was for AC and BD kids to have two completely different shows, with the cast only made up of actors and actresses from that day. Remote kids were not allowed to participate at the beginning. “Originally, the school was very strict with AC and BD cohorts, but with the new policy we can mix cohorts after school, and include fully remote students, but always wearing masks,” Rosemary explains.

Due to Covid-19, many changes will be made to everyday rehearsals and the show as a whole. The restrictions enforce no set, no crew, no dressing rooms, and social distancing, which means there can be no physical interaction between students. Since there will be no audience, the show will be videotaped and posted on the school website.

With all of the restrictions, the display will be a lot different than it normally is, but the school shows are more than just a performance.  99% of what goes on is in preparation, behind the scenes at the rehearsals. “Having that balance of work/fun was what makes us all work well together as a team,” Cassidy Conner, stage manager of last year’s shows explained. “Rosemary is outgoing, really kind, understanding and works very well under pressure.”

Though it will be hard and different adjusting to these changes, with someone that has as much experience and dedication as Rosemary being director, I have no doubt that the show will be just as stunning as it’s been in the years prior.