By Faith Montagnino, Assistant Features / Arts & Entertainment Editor

Throughout November and December 2020, Trinity Hall’s Queen’s Court Company made school history by putting on not one, not two, but three virtual productions for the enjoyment of the community. With auditions and casting occurring in September and rehearsals immediately following, the cast and crew of the QCC never had a dull moment this past fall.

The first to premiere was the exclusively freshman production of Help Desk on Nov. 20, starring eight dedicated girls willing to step up to the challenge of online theater during their first year as Monarchs. Following its success, the double-casted production of Clue? was released, with the Dec. 11 showing featuring a mainly senior cast, and the Dec. 12 production featuring a mixed junior and sophomore cast. 

Though undoubtedly a truly exciting and unique experience, the actresses of the QCC acknowledge that virtual theater was no simple feat. “This show came with loads of challenges, but I wouldn’t trade this experience for the world,” senior Mary Rosivack said. 

Junior Sofia Ranucci agreed that the cast faced many challenges, both expected and unexpected. “What surprised me was the aspect of complication that came from virtual stage directions. This created lots of mishaps for me, but once I got the hang of it, I felt incredibly accomplished,” she said.

All three productions were met with incredible support from Director Ellen Phillips and Assistant Director senior Haley Karinja, whose work on Clue? recently won first place for stage management in a NJ secondary school theatre festival and competition sponsored by the Speech and Theatre Association of New Jersey (STANJ), in conjunction with New Jersey’s Annual Governor’s Awards in Arts Education.

“It was difficult to adapt to each new obstacle we were faced with, from technical difficulties to green screen malfunctions, all while being in different places,” Karinja said. “But that’s what I love about theater. No matter what happens, we persevere and find a solution.”