The cast and crew went into this process knowing this would be a different production. This is the first mainstage production at Pensacola Little Theatre since COVID19 changed everything for everyone.
There are a lot of emotional moments throughout this beloved show that had to be explored with fresh cautious eyes. Kathy Holsworth, the show’s director and Artistic Director at PLT, thought long and hard about the blocking and how to show the audience these incredibly strong relationships without a lot of touching. She wanted to make sure the actors had very limited contact with each other throughout the entire process.
Annette Remitera who plays the vibrant salon owner, Truvy, says that the experience of socially-distanced blocking has been both challenging and beneficial. “Blocking with strategic distancing challenges your ability as an actress to convey intimacy without touch. It has allowed us to open up our hearts, and better embody the dialogue without relying on tropes- the ‘it’s all right’ pat, the ‘look how much I support you’ hug, etc.”
Having to do without those “tropes” has caused these 6 actors to sharpen some other important acting skills. “It's been a great lesson. I never realized before how much we as actors depend on the power of our hands. You certainly can teach an old dog new tricks,” says Shepherd.
