By: Princess Jones
The week of The Phantom Tollbooth has been canceled after several members of the cast and crew reported being sick. The show will open next weekend instead.
“This has been one hardest flu seasons I have seen on campus,” said Tasha Adams, Trevecca clinic physician assistant.
Most students contracted the flu in the beginning of January. Adams averaged about 10-15 patients a day at the clinic worried about the flu. However, only one or two students tested positive for the flu each day.
This is the first time the theater program has canceled a weekend of shows because of illness.
“On occasion, we have had an actor sick during a production run of a show, at which time an understudy might step in, but we’ve never had this many students unable to rehearse simultaneously in the same show before,” said Jeffrey Frame, professor of dramatic arts.
Frame made the decision to postpone the opening date of The Phantom Tollbooth to give his cast and crew time to heal.
Adams said this was the best call for Frame to make.
“You want to try to avoid being face to face with the sick person. If possible, it is best to spend the least amount of time in close contact. Wash your hands frequently and if possible, you can wear a face mask to try to prevent the spread,” said Adams
Athletic teams have also had players missing from practice and games because of illness.
“More people missed practice because of the flu than ever before. If you’re not physically well then you can’t play. It keeps people from participating and playing in games. It hurts the line up because if one person can’t play somebody else has to take their spot,” said Mark Elliot, athletic director.
The biggest advice for students is to get plenty of rest.
“We recommend that they stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone except to get medical care or other necessities. Their fever should be gone without the use of a fever-reducing medicine, such as Tylenol or Ibuprofen,” said Adams
For Frame, safety is the number one priority for his students.
“Compassion for others comes before passion for one’s art. Out of care for our cast, crew, and audience, the “show goes on” only when everyone is safe, and it is in the best interest of everyone to do so,” said Frame.
The Phantom Tollbooth will resume on Feb. 22-24.
The Phantom Tollbooth Performance
|
February 22 |
7:00pm |
|
February 23 |
7:00pm |
|
February 24 |
2:00pm & 7:00pm |
