GREENFIELD — When COVID-19 arrived to Western Massachusetts, the world of theater changed.
“COVID-19 basically came two weeks before the SYRUP: One Sweet Performing Arts Festival, so we just stopped (rehearsing), and canceled the festival,” said Piti Theatre Co. Artistic Co-Director Jonathan Mirin. “I was sort of in this new world of COVID plus theater; in other words, COVID equals no theater. So we had to figure out what would work.”
He eventually realized Greenfield DinoFest, another one of the theater company’s popular festivals, wouldn’t be happening either — or at least, not in the same way as in previous years.
“One of my inspirations was — Ezekiel, my son, is also in something called the YSP, Young Shakespeare Players,” he said. “They did a film project with Shakespeare at the drive-in in late October. So I went and saw that at the drive-in and was like, ‘We should make a movie.’”
So on Saturday morning, like so many other events this year, DinoFest kicked off in a hybrid format. Its opening event included the cult classic TV show “Land of the Lost” and a filmed production of the theater company’s show, “The Mayor of Greenpants: Dino Disaster.” The show, an original comedy with music by Northampton singer-songwriter Carrie Ferguson, was performed by Piti Theatre’s Youth Troupe.
“I talked to (Garden Cinemas owner) Isaac Mass, and he was willing to work with us,” he said. “It’s nice to have some kind of public event.”
“The Mayor of Greenpants: Dino Disaster” tells the story of Gabby Greenpants, a recently-elected mayor whose first action in office is to change the town constitution. In particular, she changes the name of the city, requires everyone to wear green pants and declares it to be winter forever. Her actions, however, have some unintended consequences.
Mirin said the movie would be streamed live on Sunday for those who couldn’t make it to Saturday’s premier, or who weren’t comfortable viewing it in a public setting. Several other virtual events were planned throughout the weekend, including a “dino story time” and an interview with Ed Friedman, chair of Friends of Merrymeeting Bay, a Maine environmental group.
Despite the new format of the event, Mirin said the bright spot of it all was being given the opportunity to make a movie with the young actors.
“It’s a different process, but a similar process in that you’re still working with them to help them with their acting,” he said. “At the same time, negotiating the technical aspects is more of a team effort. Of course, live theater is also a team effort, but now you’re relying on new people.”
The editing process connected him with people from throughout the county and as far as New York, he said. His son, Ezekiel, helped with some of the editing, too.
“The main thing I’ve been enjoying since COVID happened, is that we’re creating a lot of work that stays,” Mirin said. “It’s a different feeling and somewhat different process for someone who is used to making shows that appear, and tour, and are always kind of changing and evolving, versus putting a lot of concentrated effort into … a product.”
And Mirin, who had a few technical difficulties to deal with at Saturday’s screening, has begun to appreciate the work that goes into creating digital media.
“When you’re not working in digital media regularly, it’s hard to appreciate just how labor intensive it is,” he said. “Either the sound is there, or it’s not. In theater, with a live performance, you have the audience to kind of fill it in. It’s still a ton of work, but (in digital media), it’s very exacting.”
Throughout the process of transforming a live action show to the big screen, Mirin said there has been one constant.
“The main point of the whole youth troupe is to give kids a chance to grow,” he said. “And to … be together, be social in an artistic collaborative.”
DinoFest 2020 was supported by grants from the Greenfield and Leyden cultural councils, the Massachusetts Cultural Council, local businesses and the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce.
Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne