Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all of Moorpark College’s arts and entertainment performances have been cancelled for the spring 2020 semester. Some of the cancelled performances include the forensics team’s “Night Before Nationals,” FTVM’s “Raiders Got Talent,” the dance department’s annual “Motion Flux,” alongside many others.

This semester’s play “Romeo and Juliet” was able to put on three shows in front of a live audience but the rest of the planned performances were hit with cancellations. Moorpark College’s Theatre Arts department chair and “Romeo and Juliet” director John Loprieno explained that there was no choice in terms of cancelling. Loprieno also claims to be grateful for being able to put the production online.

Loprieno expressed the misfortune of the situation by stating, “Of course everyone was very disappointed. This has been a very strange and sobering time.”

FTVM has always filmed the Theatre Department’s plays for archival purposes, but this came in handy as the play only saw a live audience once. Since “Romeo and Juliet” is old enough that copyright doesn’t apply, the performance was able to be posted online for others to enjoy.

Moorpark College Radio and Audio faculty Jason Beaton’s students help to run the audio side of “Club M” every semester. Beaton stated that he believes the cancellations are a very wise decision based on the events of what is happening currently in our world and community.

Beaton added a positive light on the situation when asked how all of this will affect the students.

“I think you have to look at every negative situation you encounter in life and try to find a way to create a positive situation for all,” Beaton said.

All of the cancellations have had a tremendous impact on students as well. Seth Gunawardena, a 19-year-old Moorpark College student and actor played the role of Romeo in this semester’s play of “Romeo and Juliet.” While disappointed in the cancellation, he thought it was the right thing to do in order for the health of the public to come first.

Gunawardena emphasized the gratitude he held for his routine before the pandemic.

“Being trapped in my house has made me appreciate how busy I was with the show and how lucky we were to be able to put it on,” Gunawardena stated.

While the fate of many of the events is still up in the air, the recording of the Theatre Department’s production of “Romeo and Juliet” is available to watch on YouTube.