Alten Wilmot, Tyler J. Seguin & Helen Juvonen in ‘Porch Plays’ (Guild Festival Theatre)
Prop and puppet designs by Nancy Anne Perrin
Photo by Tsz Ting Lam

Since the pandemic made gatherings unsafe and live performance went on hold indefinitely, I’ve felt off-balance and unmoored. I’ve missed theatre something fierce, but more disturbingly I’ve felt numb and disconnected. I have avoided most of the digital content that has exploded onto the scene—those quick and dirty re-imaginings intended to fill that aching gap in our theatre-loving hearts. I understand the artistic need to maintain momentum, to draw audiences and eke out a living, but so little of it has captured my imagination.

As we advance into Stage 3 and its controlled gatherings, opportunities for in-person performance open up and my heart swells. The Guild Festival Theatre is one company making strides to safely reach live audiences. I had the pleasure of tagging along with artistic directors Helen Juvonen and Tyler J. Seguin, and a few members of their rotating team of actors and crew, for a night of Porch Plays. Continue Reading