Arts, Dining & Entertainment

Chandler shifts Summer Youth Musical to film instead of a stage play

Tess Holbrook

Casting for ‘Bye Bye Birdie’ open now

RANDOLPH—Chandler is happy to announce that it will proceed with a filmed version of this year’s summer youth musical. Last year Chandler had to forego the annual summer tradition of having dozens of local youth come together to entertain and enliven Fourth of July weekend.

This year, so that Chandler staff can keep everyone safe and still create a great experience for all, the show will be filmed instead of being produced as a stage play.  Most numbers will be filmed outdoors on location, to maximize social distancing while singing, dancing and acting. The completed film will be screened in a safe outdoor location sometime in the late summer.

The schedule will differ from the SYM schedule of the past.  The performers will rehearse small groups in May on the weekends — mostly by Zoom, and once school is out in June, will meet with the director and film crew (again in small groups) for filming/production.  Beginning of July will be used for pickup shots and voiceovers and the film will be edited over July. Final screenings will be held outdoors in early to mid August.

Since the show will be a film, this year they have a new director, Tess Holbrook.

Holbrook graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a BA in Cinema Arts & Science, with a focus on directing. She has worked on shows such as “Cash Cab,” “Chicago Fire,” and “The Village” from NBC. She’s directed commercials, music videos, short films, and more. Currently, she runs the youth theater camp, The Chelsea Funnery. Holbrook is very excited to direct the Conrad-crazed show, “Bye Bye Birdie.”

Also returning as star contributors are choreographer Kim Nowlan Hathaway and music director Molly Clark.

Chandler will be hosting auditions virtually for “Bye Bye Birdie” Go to chandler-arts.org to register. Virtual Audition Video Submission due Date is March 27. Virtual callbacks will be conducted via Zoom on April 3.

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