Negro Ensemble Company Inc

COVID-19 prohibited NEC from producing live theatre. Project #1: NEC ZOOM SERIES featured playwrights, actors, poets, and comedians from around the globe. All were live-streamed, produced on Zoom, FaceBook, and YouTube live then rebroadcast across the platforms. Our first production was the 5-Minute play competition on July 17, 2020. This live-streaming presentation included 8 scripts, 4 reading-only with actors sitting and reading scripts from music stands, and 4 staged productions in competition. The 5 Minute Plays included 4 readings and 4 staged plays supporting a total of 8 playwrights, 1 Dramaturg, and 16 actors, with an Associate Producer, 1 Production Designer, 4 Directors, 1 SM, 1 ASM, 2 Technical Staffers, 1 Running Crew Person, 1 Production Manager, 1 Production Assistant, 1 Zoom Coordinator, and a videographer. In addition, there were 20 readers to select the competitors and 5 judges. The production was staged at WOW Theatre Caf. COVID-19 requirements were followed with; staging social distancing guidelines, mask requirements in all areas except performance, and all other guidelines were maintained in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions.Initial rehearsals were held virtually, at Theatre 80 when possible, and with 1 day-long on-site rehearsal on the presentation day. We also had a technical problem that did not allow us to live stream at Theatre 80 and consequently, we had to go to a green screen studio, American Movie Company and hire other technicians for the 10 Minute Competition. The 10-Minute Competition, also supporting 8 playwrights, included 20 actors. 4 staged scripts and 4 presented as readings were held on October 9, 2020. Selected playwrights (staged works only) received a one-night stage performance or a reading. Playwrights for both 5 and 10-Minute competitions were solicited internationally through email, backstage, Twitter, Instagram, and other social media outlets. The work deemed as most stage-worthy earned the playwright a small honorarium. Each staging was cast through an audition via Zoom. Z om 10-Minute Competition Series also live-streamed. Actors for the staged productions auditioned on Zoom; for readings, they were solicited by directors and producers. 10-Minute Competition rehearsals were on Zoom primarily with 1 all-day rehearsal at American Movie Cinema' where production was broadcast COVID-19 requirements were followed with staging, social distancing guidelines, and mask requirements in all areas except performance. All other guidelines were maintained in compliance with COVID-19 restrictions. Initial rehearsals were held virtually. Both productions are a feature on NEC YouTube Channel. Expenses for both productions included; light and sound equipment at WOW, digital technicians, videographers, editors, and other digital and electronic professionals. We also presented 2 Comedy shows on August 1, and October 23, 2020, featuring 6 comics from across the country The Zoom Series Poetry Slam with 6 noted poets only had 2 presentations live streaming on August 29, 2020, & October 30, 2020. ZOOM SERIES can be found on ww.youtube.com/channel/UCK1So8PDmUrhwsgHdvhqyfQ/videos.