While accommodating social distancing, the Santa Maria Civic Theatre’s (SMCT) latest production isn’t one to enjoy from the comfort of your own home, but rather from the comfort of your own car.
On Sunday, Aug. 30, SMCT will present its inaugural Drive-Up Theatre program, which will feature five different destinations throughout Santa Maria where attendees can park their cars and watch outdoor “mini shows.” These brief live acts will range from performances of show tunes—songs from Little Shop of Horrors and Legally Blonde, for example—to specific scene selections, including a “mini play” condensed from The Red Velvet Cake War.
Attendees of the event start their journey at SMCT, where they will receive a descriptive brochure, which includes the different addresses to drive to. Performances will run on a loop between 1 and 4 p.m. for guests to frequent in any order they prefer (this also allows guests to come back for repeat viewings if they wish).
The program costs $25, and proceeds will benefit the theater.
“This event got organized because—let’s be honest—we’re losing money, same as everyone else,” Sally Buchanan told the Sun. Buchanan is the president of SMCT’s board of directors.
“Theaters have been hit hard by this pandemic, and SMCT, like every other local community theater, is struggling to stay afloat,” she added.
The Drive-Up Theatre program was headed by SMCT members Maureen Staunton and Stuart Wenger, and its five shows are made possible through the talents of 17 performers. Aside from general admission, tips are also encouraged during the program, as each act is competing for “best drive-up act.” The winning act will be determined by which show receives the most donations (attendees can send tips to the theater’s Venmo—@thesmc—and specify which act they’re tipping in the comment section).
Buchanan described the event as a fun way to get out of the house while social distancing at the same time. When asked what she is most excited about in terms of SMCT resuming traditional performances someday, Buchanan said she doubts things will ever be precisely the same as before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I’m not certain that ‘traditional’ theater is ever going to return,” she said. “I really think things will be different going forward.”
But while the theater remains closed, SMCT’s creative team has still kept in contact over the course of quarantine through both formal virtual meetings and a casual group chat, said actor and organizer Jaime Espinoza.
“As board members, we still felt it best not to just close the theater and be done with it. We still have our monthly meetings over Zoom conference calls,” Espinoza told the Sun.
Espinoza is the secretary of SMCT’s board of directors. For the past few months, he has also been in charge of SMCT’s YouTube program, The Show Will Go On, which he edits and uploads new material for on a weekly basis. Guests of the channel can find a variety of unique video submissions from several SMCT members, including Jordan Mills, Meg Woods, Cody Fogh, Leia Miller, and others.
Virtual offerings aside, Espinoza said he’s excited for the actors in the Drive-Up Theatre program to get a “small taste of performing for a live audience again.”
Arts Editor Caleb Wiseblood is in the audience. Send tips and comments to cwiseblood@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Aug 27 – Sep 3, 2020.
