While many schools cancelled their theatrical performances due the COVID-19 pandemic, Chris McGriff, director of the Center For The Arts at The Hill School, saw an opportunity to do something that had never been done before at the School – put on a virtual production.

McGriff wrote an original play titled “Jury Trial” and offered students the opportunity to audition. He originally wrote “Jury Trial” with 10 characters in mind since The Hill’s spring play typically draws a smaller cast.,
“To my surprise, 30 students auditioned, and we needed to have three casts of 10 students each” remarked McGriff.

Set in the year 2040, “Jury Trial” is a fast-paced, edge-of your seat thriller/mystery. Each performance of “Jury Trial” is split into two episodes, which will take place live online in May 2020. The play deals with the issue of technology and how much we’re willing to go with it.

He drew inspiration from the current events surrounding COVID-19, as well as society’s increasing dependence on technology.

And yet, it is technology that made this performance possible and more manageable for his students. McGriff realized that in a world where teenagers spend most of their time on Tik Tok and Instagram, “they are all natural camera performers without even knowing it,” which made the transition from acting on the stage to performing in their homes much smoother.

“Our biggest challenge is the fact that we’re presenting each performance live, so anything could happen. Prepping for that has been a great learning experience for all of us.”

McGriff embraced the challenge that he was faced with in early March. By deciding that the show will go on, he taught his students how to adapt to difficult situations.

“My students’ professionalism and the way they have been able to adapt to this new format of storytelling is encouraging to me as their instructor.”