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Song List

Act 1 

• Mama Who Bore Me" – Wendla
• "Mama Who Bore Me" (Reprise) – Girls
• "All That's Known" – Melchior
• "The Bitch of Living" – Boys
• "My Junk" – Boys and Girls (except Ilse)
• "Touch Me" – Boys and Girls
• "The Word of Your Body" – Wendla and Melchior
• "The Dark I Know Well" – Martha, Ilse, Boys
• "And Then There Were None" – Moritz and Boys
• "The Mirror-Blue Night" – Melchior and Boys
• "I Believe" – Boys and Girls

Cast

Creative Team

Multimedia

Baldwin Wallace To Premiere First-Ever Virtual College Production Of SPRING AWAKENING

What's it like to stage a musical in the midst of a pandemic? How do you perform group numbers when unmasked group singing is verboten? What about kissing?

This fall, Baldwin Wallace University's top-rated music theatre program pulls off the ultimate COVID-hack with the first virtual college production of "Spring Awakening," the eight-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical created by Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik. But this is no coronavirus-era, pared down, Zoom table reading. The groundbreaking show - shot guerilla film style on iPhones and at more than 40 locations throughout Northeast Ohio - begins streaming November 19.

At the start of the school year, Victoria Bussert, head of BW's top-ranked music theatre program, considered her bad-to-worse choices: cancel the fall production of "Spring Awakening" or perform it under strict COVID-19 protocols. That meant nightly performances before a crowd of 50 rather than 500, with cast, crew and audience forced to vacate the theater every 30 minutes and loiter outside for another half hour before being allowed to return the air to exchange in the theater. Other colleges, faced with similar constraints, axed their fall shows or opted for static Zoomicals.

Not Bussert and her students at the small liberal arts college in Berea, some 30 minutes outside Cleveland. "Time to pivot!" Bussert announced. The result is a production of "Spring Awakening" like no other shot almost entirely on iPhones, on a mainstage turned soundstage and at dozens of outdoor locations in Berea and beyond. Students have invaded parks, cemeteries and rage rooms in pursuit of the perfect look and sound. Bussert and music director and director of photography Matthew Webb used a collision of lo-fi tricks and high-tech props to build the mother of all music videos - from backdrops fashioned from beach towels from Target to footage shot by a drone.

"Spring Awakening" is produced by Bryan Bowser and directed by Victoria Bussert. Matthew Webb serves as both music director and director of photography. The show is choregraphed by Gregory Daniels, with casting by Colleen Longshaw Jackson.

The production followed strict coronavirus safety precautions that went beyond those required on the University's campus. Students weren't allowed to remove their masks and sing as a group, so they recorded themselves performing their parts solo, often in their dorm room closets, then sent the clips to Webb, who meshed their voices using audio mixing software. Actors have mastered the art of lip syncing and holding their breaths in scenes where their characters are on the verge of a kiss. The BW creative team is determined to show that with a little ingenuity, high-quality music theatre can continue to be produced while keeping all involved safe and healthy. The proof is in teaser footage of the turbulent coming-of-age story that captures the high-voltage energy of live performance.

Set in late 19th-century Germany, "Spring Awakening" explores the turmoil of adolescent sexuality, its themes of isolation, control, trauma, identity and enlightenment more timely today than they were when the musical premiered on Broadway in 2006.

In a time of social distancing, constant masking and touching only with large amounts of hand sanitizer, the "college experience" has more in common with the repressive German society of the late 1800s than ever - including the raging hormones and inner Sturm und Drang that go with it.

Based on a controversial 1891 play by German playwright Frank Wedekind, the story also deals with heart wrenching and potentially triggering topics like suicide and incest.

Audiences for BW's "Spring Awakening" will be able to stream the event from the comfort of their own homes. Thursday through Saturday, November 19-21, streamed performances will be available beginning at 8 p.m. EST, with Sunday, November 22 streaming at 2 p.m. EST. Each show will feature a five-minute intermission.

Ticket purchase is required to receive unique access to the streamed performances and tickets will be available mid-October at www.bw.edu/SpringAwakening at a cost of $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and a $40 group viewing pack.

"Spring Awakening" is a collaboration between the BW Conservatory of Music's Music Theatre Program and BW's Department of Theatre and Dance and supported by a team of BW Arts Management & Entrepreneurship students.

"Spring Awakening" is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 423 West 55th Street, New York, NY10019.

Baldwin Wallace Presents Virtual Production of SPRING AWAKENING

Baldwin Wallace University's nationally recognized music theatre program will stage the country's first virtual college production of the powerful Broadway rock musical "Spring Awakening" next month.

But, this is no COVID-era, pared-down, Zoom table reading; nor does the production ignore health safety.

The groundbreaking show, shot guerrilla film-style on iPhones at more than 40 locations throughout Northeast Ohio, begins streaming November 19.

LENSES AND LOCATIONS

While many other college theatre stages simply went dark for this fall season, the BW creative team, including producer Bryan Bowser, director Victoria Bussert and music director Matthew Webb (who doubles as director of photography), is proving that music theatre can thrive within the limits of a coronavirus safety net.

A production like no other, BW's "Spring Awakening" is shot almost entirely on iPhones on a mainstage turned soundstage and at dozens of outdoor locations in Berea and beyond. Students have invaded parks and cemeteries to find the perfect look and sound for the eight-time Tony Award-winning Best Musical created by Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik.

The BW production features choreography by Gregory Daniels, with casting by Colleen Longshaw Jackson.

TRIPLE THREATS PLUS ONE

Directing and capturing the performances of two full casts of talented music theatre "triple threats," while protecting against the threat of COVID-19, has required ingenuity, determination and a delicate balance. BW's inventive approaches include:

• SONG - With group singing prohibited, students record themselves in their dorm rooms, and music director Webb weaves them together in the editing room into full-throated, Broadway show-stoppers.

• DANCE - Choreography for big (and distanced) dance numbers is taught and rehearsed on Zoom; then, performed and filmed outdoors and on an indoor theatre stage turned soundstage within a limited time frame and with all performers in masks.
• ACTING/SCENIC DESIGN - In addition to location shoots, students created backdrops in their homes to use for confessional-style videos and Zoom recordings that fit perfectly with the show's themes.

A little well-planned framing, lighting and editing magic also helps to create close, intimate on-screen interactions while, in reality, actors maintained physical distance.

The result, served up in a tantalizing new trailer (see below), offers a compelling, high-quality production for pandemic-weary music theatre fans eager to see a fresh, new performance.

COMING-OF-AGE STORY

Set in late 19th-century Germany, "Spring Awakening" explores the turmoil of adolescent sexuality, with themes of isolation, control, trauma, identity and enlightenment as timely today as they were when the musical premiered on Broadway in 2006.

Based on a controversial 1891 play by German playwright Frank Wedekind, the story also deals with heart-wrenching and potentially triggering topics like suicide and incest.

"As we all experience social distancing, mask wearing and discouragement of human touch, student actors have much in common with the repressive norms of 1800s German society in which 'Spring Awakening' lives," Bowser observes.

TICKETS AND SCHEDULE

Audiences for BW's "Spring Awakening" will stream the event from the comfort of their own homes. Thursday through Saturday, November 19-21, performances will be shared beginning at 8 p.m. EST, with Sunday, November 22, streaming at 2 p.m. EST. Each show will feature a five-minute intermission.

Ticket purchase is required to receive unique access to the streamed performances, and tickets are now available via bw.edu/SpringAwakening at a cost of $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and a $40 group viewing pack.

"Spring Awakening" is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 423 West 55th Street, New York, NY 10019.

BWW Blog: Marketing SPRING AWAKENING Worldwide

When I wrote "Make Theatre Accessible - a Pandemic Lesson" I didn't think I would be taking an active part in this soon.

Before the school year started, we knew that Baldwin Wallace would be producing Spring Awakening (first trailer out now). However, as we got closer and closer to the beginning of classes, every new guideline imposed a harder restriction to how the University would be able to put on this show.

It got to a point where Director Vicky Bussert and Producer Bryan Bowser decided to go virtual, but not your average "Zoomsical." This is the first ever virtual academic production of Spring Awakening. Shot mostly on iPhones, at more than 40 locations in Northeast Ohio, this is NOT a production you want to miss.

Because we are not limited to a two-week engagement at the University's 500 seat theatre, we are able to reach a nation-wide audience, as well as international viewers (including Brazil!!!).

However, this is a challenge for all of us in the Arts Management producing team. Although many of us were involved with the academic premiere of Kinky Boots last year, I never thought that during my college career I would have the opportunity to reach an unlimited audience. And how? I will tell you: content marketing.

The producing team split into Programming, Traditional Marketing, Social Media Marketing and Education Surround. With the support of the BW's Conservatory, BWMT, and Arts Management programs we were able to create different series to get a conversation going, and boost ticket sales.

Madi Burwell and I are responsible for "Those You've Known." A series of panel discussions with past and present Spring Awakening cast members moderated by Claudine Grunenwald Kirscher. In 2012 BW produced Spring Awakening in partnership with the Beck Center. Now we're bringing the leads together to share their experiences with their characters, discuss how the world has change in 8 years and how Spring Awakening is still relevant to this day.

The Wendla episode, featuring Kyra Kennedy 14', Ally Carbonar 21' and Audrey Hare 22' is already out and you can watch it here! The Moritz conversation featuring James Penca 13', Ben Seneff 21' and Steven Huynh 21' is set to premiere real soon so stay tuned to the Conservatory's YouTube. Lastly, the Melchior episode will be a live event featuring Zach Adkins 15', Eric Siegle 21' and Jahir Hipps 21' this November! Follow @bwmusictheatre on Instagram for more info!

Another very cool series created by Sarah McCord and Danny Ruffing is "The Making of Awakening" where the show's creatives share their perspective of the challenges of a virtual production such as this one. Watch the first episode featuring Vicky Bussert (director) here!

We can all agree that social media has a great influence on young musical theatre fans. It is how we stay connected with our favorite shows, our favorite artists, and even with each other! Sometimes we don't think about how this content we consume online is put together, or how many times it has to be redone, or how it runs for approvals, etc. Therefore, I'm here to celebrate the effort of all the people behind the curtains (or better, behind their computer screens) that keep fans engaged, even during these challenging times when shows are dark.

But what is also amazing is that this content will reach the non-musical theatre fans. It reaches audiences that are looking for something different to watch. By sharing the content we are creating we engage non-traditional audiences with the art form. Sometimes even people who wouldn't have the means to see a touring/Broadway show, now have the opportunity to see an amazing accessible production.

Marketing is not only about getting people to buy your product. Is about engaging them with what you have to offer. In this case it is a creative new production of Spring Awakening brought to you by a special arrangement with MTI and the Baldwin Wallace Music Theatre program, in partnership with Theatre and Dance, and supported by us, the Arts Management producing team.

I hope you enjoy the show from wherever you are, streaming November 19th-22nd.

BW Board of Trustees
BW President Robert Helmer
BW Conservatory Dean Susan Van Vorst

BW Department of Theatre & Dance
Brennan Murphy, chair
Anjanette Hall
Yolanda Kennedy
Charlotte Yetman

BW Conservatory of Music
Tracy Grady
Erika Haskell
Megan Kuhar
Jenny Taraba
Charles Young

BW University Relations
Dan Arthur
Dan Karp
Shawn Salamone
Sue Searcy
Susan Walton

BW Community Music School
Laura Davies
Cory Isler
Adam Sheldon

“Those You’ve Known” Series
Zach Adkins
Kyra Kennedy
Claudine Grunenwald Kirschner
James Penca

WBWC The Sting
Tony Baisden & BW Printing and Mail Services
J.R. Bruno
Pedro Cavallari
Ellis Dawson, poster photography
Esther Haberlen, Great Lakes Theater
Emily Muench & BW Active Minds
Marisa Nieves
Dale Rieling
Colton Ryan
Andrea Simakis

Original Broadway Production Produced by IRA PITTELMAN, TOM HULCE, JEFFREY RICHARDS, JERRY FRANKEL, ATLANTIC THEATRE COMPANY, Jeffrey Sine, Freddy DeMann, Max Cooper, Mort Swinsky/Cindy and Jay Gutterman/Joe McGinnis/Judith Ann Abrams, ZenDog Production/CarJac Productions, Aron Bergson Productions/Jennifer Manocherian/Ted Snowdon, Harold Thau/Terry Schnuck/Cold Spring Productions, Amanda Dubois/Elizabeth Eynon Wetherell, Jennifer Maloney/Tamara Tunie/Joe Cilibrasi/StyleFour Productions

The world premiere of “SPRING AWAKENING” was produced by the Atlantic Theater Company by special arrangement with Tom Hulce & Ira Pittelman.

SPRING AWAKENING is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

To learn more about Baldwin Wallace University, the BW Conservatory of Music, BWMT, and how this virtual production of SPRING AWAKENING was created, visit: conversation.bw.edu

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