What’s in a stage? An MC theatre production in the foyer is just as sweet: Theatre Department puts on an excellent show despite stage light failure

From Feb. 13-16, the Maryville College Theatre Department presented a gender-blind casted production of Romeo and Juliet. As the performers and tech crew prepared for their final show — a matinee showing on Sunday, Feb. 16 — they were informed that the show would be moving from the Flex Theatre in the Clayton Center for the Arts to the building’s foyer.

Sasha Hoenie (‘26), who uses they/them pronouns, was cast as Romeo in the production. They shared what their experience was like backstage. 

“Before the last show, we found that the lights would not turn on: neither the spotlights or the general room lights. Clearly, we couldn’t do a show in the dark,” they said. “While the actors got ready, the tech workers were running around trying everything to get the power back on to the theatre.”

Due to a storm the night before, a timely solution was impossible. Hoenie said that approximately 15 minutes before the show started, the director Andy Vaught informed the cast that they would be moving the show to the lobby of the Clayton Center.

“About 150 chairs were moved out there, as well as all of our props and our one set piece: the huge tower that moves around the stage,” Hoenie said. 

Olivia Cameron (‘25), who played Benvolio, shared some of her feelings before the final show.

“I wasn’t too nervous. I was a tad sad that the show’s beautiful lights weren’t going to be seen, [but] I was mostly worried about my entrances and exits since there are four different ways you can enter and exit the stage. I didn’t want to mess up.” Cameron said. 

Hoenie had opposite feelings initially.

“At first, I was really nervous because it was an entirely new setting to perform the show in,” they said. “However, as we set up the props and got a look at the space, I started to relax. It felt like a new challenge and a chance to try something new.” 

“It made the [final] show different from all of the others, and more memorable. I took it as a chance to challenge myself, let loose, and make the last show just as good for this audience as it would be for an audience inside the theatre.” Hoenie said. 

Both Hoenie and Cameron shared that they were proud of the final show, despite the initial setbacks.

“I feel like this show was the most fun out of any of the shows. Because we weren’t in the theatre, it almost felt more casual than the other shows,” Hoenie said. “I didn’t notice any mistakes that being in a new space could have caused. We all adapted really well and adjusted together to the setting. It felt like such a team effort. Of course, theatre is such a team effort in general, but we really came together for this last show, supported each other through the stress, and made the show a blast!”

Cameron is graduating this spring, meaning Romeo and Juliet was her last show here at MC, and it was definitely one to remember. 

“While it was jarring, I think there is no better show to have this happen to. Thinking back to previous productions, if this happened to them we would have had to cancel,” Cameron explained.

“For Romeo and Juliet, we only had a small number of props, one set piece that was built to move, and we were already performing for the round. I think everyone adapted really well and it was a memorable final show for me here at MC!” Cameron said. 

This adaptability of the performers was essential to the show’s success, and the new space created an even more intimate experience for audience members and actors alike.