Performers Without a Stage: A Look at UF Performing Arts during the COVID-19 Pandemic

COVID-19 affected everyone in countless ways, and the University of Florida’s College of the Arts experienced its own wave of difficulties because of the pandemic. Like most of the classes offered at UF, the performing arts courses had to switch to an online environment at the end of Spring 2020. As the new school year rolled around, classes started returning to in-person settings, but the traditional atmosphere of learning and performance remained changed.

Students and professors have had to cope with changes such as recording their performances instead of hosting them live, wearing masks and social distancing in classes. The required distance that must be maintained between the students and professors created a roadblock for their art. Physical touch and connection are crucial to what they do, as well as receiving live feedback from an audience. The members of the performing arts community have struggled to redefine their art in this new era that COVID introduced, and they hope that the performing arts that they know and love will soon return. The students and professors remain positive and are using this challenge as a way to expand their talents.

(Video produced and edited by Elena Barrera)