2020-2021 Season
Covid-19 threatened the existence of theatres everywhere. Spotlight reopened with a 2020-2021 Season geared for numerous safety precautions. These measures proved successful, with a full season of nine shows and no outbreak of the virus at SYT.
Most “big” shows became impossible to license, with (at most) reduced and distanced live audiences. So we staged more original plays than usual, allowing us to address current issues, such as the Black Lives Matter movement (Emmett’s Art Project) and transgender rights (Whatever, Just Wash Your Hands). Livestream video also became a normal attendance option.
The community pulled together to avert disaster and make this one of SYT’s most rewarding, progressive, and memorable seasons, honored with 84 nominations for ariZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence. Spotlight won 15 “Zonis,” nine of them for The Soul of Frankenstein, the first of many original premieres that year.
The Soul of Frankenstein
Oct. 30—Nov. 1: Creature or Creator: which one is the Monster? A new adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Written by Bobby Sample. Directed by Kenny Grossman and Bobby Sample.
Read more→Emmett’s Art Project
Nov. 20–22: Kids confront racism in this world-premiere drama for teens and adults. Written by Brianna Fallon and Abbey Yee. Directed by Brianna Fallon.
Read more→Wanted: Santa Claus
Dec. 20–22: Santa has been framed, and it’s up to his Elves and an angel to help save the true meaning of the holidays. Written by L. Henry Dowell. Directed by Jack Taylor.
Read more→Cinderella: A Rock & Roll Fairytale
Jan. 2–3: Kenny Grossman’s rock & roll version of “Cinderella” in a musical theatre camp! Directed by Heather Walker.
Read more→Whatever, Just Wash Your Hands (A Potty Party)
Feb. 5–7: This wacky satire about a theatre defending transgender rights redefines “potty humor”! Written and directed by Kenny Grossman.
Read more→Desperate Housewives of Shakespeare
Apr. 9-11: Shakespeare has been found murdered, and most of his female lead characters have a motive! Written by Jim and Jane Jefferies. Directed by Brenda Goodenberger.
Read more→Spotlight Playfest 2020-’21: Go the Distance
Apr. 23-25: One show premiering three winning one-act plays by Rebecca Bain, Emily Benoit, and Katie Kloberdanz. Directed by Christian Bader, Charlie Rabago, and Callista Walker.
Read more→A Midsummer Night’s Dream
May 21-30: It’s a night of mixed up lovers and magic spells in this beloved comedy-fantasy by William Shakespeare. Adapted & directed by Kenny Grossman.
Read more→Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical JV
Jun. 18-27: A colorful history lesson reminding us that our differences are to be celebrated! By Melvin Tunstall III, Greb Borowsky, and Douglas Lyons. Directed by Adam Bei & Marley DeGroodt-Bei.
Read more→