This year I have 10 middle school kids in my class at Windham Christian Academy, which is the smallest class I've ever had. Additionally, of course, there is a pandemic going on, and beginning to escalate again here in Maine. These two things have been, and will continue to, make it challenging for the LOL juggling team to get out and about doing our Gospel shows. Extra effort on the part of the 10 kids (seven are new this year) has helpd with the first problem, and some creative thinking has helped with the second.
My friend, Chaplain James, and I put our heads together and came up with the idea of LOL doing a live performance on Zoom to be broadcast live from our school in Windham to the River View Psychiatric Hospital in Augusta. This was uncharted waters for us on both ends, but we decided it was worth a try. The show was scheduled for Tuesday past.
Not being particularly strong with technology, I needed the help of the school's pastor, principal, head of high school and a 12 year old named Nathan to get the video part ready to go! Additionally, the principal, Mrs. Sands, did the actual camera work on our end. James had the tech folks on his end get the screens ready so there could be several groups viewing the show throughout the hospital. Praise God, all the technological details came together just fine.
The show itself was also a success, especially given how new most of the team is to this type of performing. Elana is definitely our strongest new juggler, and she performed a three ring cascade. Tanner and Zech have both really stepped it up from last year, and juggled a few times during the show. The acting for "I Want to Know What Love Is" was better than in any rehearsal, and Nathan and Josh handled a couple of feisty doves with calm and gentleness.
After the show, I spoke to James on the phone, and he had a few pointers for when we perform like this again, but the overall feedback was that it was a success and a blessing to the patients. I can't wait til the kids and I can have 'live' audiences again, but until then, it's good to know we can continue with these virtual gigs.