No Stage? No Problem. Texas State Theatre Goes Virtual During COVID-19

By Rebecca Butler

San Marcos, Texas – COVID-19 may have canceled live theatre, but it didn’t cancel Texas State’s creativity. If anything, the department has found new ways to steal the show.

The coronavirus pandemic reshaped college life across the U.S., yet Texas State University officials say their approach to COVID-19 has been largely successful. The university controlled spread on campus through contact tracing, a mask mandate, reduced face-to-face classes, free on-campus testing and social distancing measures.

Still, some departments adjusted more easily than others. While courses like math, English and biology could transition online, theater faculty and students were left facing a difficult question: How do you teach performance without a stage? And how do you maintain funding without in-person shows?

According to Robert Styers, box office manager for Texas State Presents, the pandemic pushed nearly all classes, performances and rehearsals online. Styers said ticket sales and revenue dropped 38.7% immediately after the university moved online in spring 2020, with the department ultimately losing 42.2% of revenue by the end of the semester.

The department had been on track to match or surpass its record-breaking 2019–2020 season, but it ultimately lost 89% of total sales when comparing 2019 to 2020 — a decline closely tied to the onset of the pandemic.

To preserve the student experience, the department quickly sought alternatives. Marisa Mendoza, a sophomore acting and digital media innovation major, said the spring shutdown hit hard.

“In spring 2020, it was disappointing when the school went all online because there were still two shows left in the season, and they were just canceled,” Mendoza said. “The shows were the musical Guys and Dolls and a movement-based show called The Other Shore.”

Chris Frost, a recent alumna, said she was heartbroken to miss her final performance.

“Graduating during a pandemic is the most inconvenient thing about my college experience so far,” Frost said. “However, I’m super happy and lucky that my family and friends are safe and healthy.”

Mendoza said the semester had been going well before the shutdown. She considers herself fortunate that her last show closed the day before spring break, just before the campus closure.

“Over the summer, our faculty went to work trying to find another way for us to still get the education and experience we needed without putting us or others in danger,” she said. “That’s when they came up with the idea of virtual shows.”

This semester, Texas State Theatre has produced multiple virtual and prerecorded performances, with plans for more. Students also adapted to online auditions, which were held over Zoom or submitted as self-tapes.

“I was so glad they didn’t stop doing shows altogether,” Mendoza said. “The faculty and directors have really been finding creative ways to work around live, in-person theater.”

Despite discouraging revenue numbers, the department has continued experimenting with new formats. It has hosted Zoom play readings, showcases and open auditions. Jerry Ruíz, head of directing, explored radio-style production with his show “Red Bike,” released as both a radio play and a taped stage piece.

Another innovative project was “LoveWave,” directed by Neil Patrick Stewart, head of the acting program. Stewart created a series of sketch-comedy posts for Instagram and other platforms — an approach the department had never tried before but found successful.

Texas State’s COVID-19 safety measures remain in place, and the university hopes for a return to normal operations no earlier than next fall. In the midst of unprecedented challenges, the Department of Theatre and Dance continues to develop new ways to highlight its students and faculty.

For more information about Coronavirus and the safety measures mandated by the CDC, follow the links provided.