This past April, after months of practice and dedication, Whitehall High School’s spring musical, “Cinderella,” was canceled due to COVID-19. For this new school year, Edward Hong, WHS choir and theater director, and Nathan Davidson, WHS principal, discussed possibilities for the 2020-21 theater program. Hong selected one-act, 40-minute play “Game of Tiaras,” a “comedic adaptation” of Shakespeare’s “King Lear,” for the fall production.

According to the promo, “Game of Tiaras” is a hilarious tragedy about the elderly king of a magic kingdom who divides his empire between daughters Cinderella, Belle and the Snow Queen that blends the “gut-wrenching plot twists of ‘Game of Thrones’” with the “soul-numbing despair of Shakespearean tragedy.”

Hong decided on “Game of Tiaras” because playwright Don Zolidis had released a special version made specifically to be performed and recorded using video conferencing to ensure social distancing.

“We were determined to provide students a theatrical experience that included a culminating performance,” Hong said. “We decided a streamed play was the safest way to do so,” Hong said.

Sixteen students were cast in the play, and senior Marshall Guiher was appointed student stage manager. Starting Sept. 30, rehearsals were in person after school, giving students approximately one month to practice. Since this version of “Game of Tiaras” was to be performed virtually, the cast did not have to learn stage directions, and they were able to use the additional time to explore relationships between the characters, as well as their objectives.

Recording the play onstage wasn’t possible due to ongoing renovations to the high school auditorium, so individual actors were filmed and everything was edited together, a process that Hong described as “a much larger undertaking than expected.”

“Rehearsing together provided students the opportunity to look at one another knowing their cast mates would not be present during the actual filming.”

Hong said all health and safety guidelines were followed during rehearsals, and cast members wore face masks and socially distanced, practicing outside whenever feasible. Without the use of the auditorium, practice regularly moved from one classroom or hallway to the next in order to limit distractions from construction noise or custodians working.

Hong described his students as patient and understanding of the situation and said they are excited the administration allowed in-person rehearsals.

“Students knew from the beginning that this production would be different, but even during this short rehearsal and filming process - four weeks - the cast has learned to support one another and created a wonderful bond,” Hong said.

Cast members include senior Brianna Minnich, Narrator 1, Soldier 3 and French Soldier 3; sophomore Katherine Coughlin, Narrator 2, Soldier 1 and French Soldier 1; freshman Alyson Younes, Snow White and Animated Snowman; junior Maci Pollitt, Belle; junior Aubrey Denofa, Cinderella; sophomore Daylin Ryer, Ellie the Snow Queen; freshman Kazen Read, King; senior Zachary Ringenberger, Prince Charming; sophomore Caleb Flannery, Smeagol; junior Marquett Ferrell, French Prince; senior Ethan Hartner, Executioner, Talking Candle Man, Soldier 2 and French Soldier 2; freshman Kylee Overbeck, Talking Teapot Lady and Blood Packet Girl; senior Shaleke Jackson, Dwarf; freshman Kathleen Bringenberger, Guard 1; freshman Kaylee Musser, Guard 2; and freshman Lindsey Seyfried, Guard 3.

The play begins 7 p.m. Nov. 6 and is $5 per viewing device, plus a small service fee. For tickets, visit https://www.showtix4u.com/event-details/40131. After purchase, instructions and a streaming code will be provided.