In the waning summer daylight, an army of young actors milled around the outdoor stage, waiting for their final rehearsal to start.
The following night, Creative Grounds Fine Arts Academy would finally stage its production of "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." Crew members moved a specially mounted antique car — one of the stars of the whimsical musical — into place along with other props from the show. Orchestra members tuned up their instruments.
An energy crackled among the participants waiting for the show to start. In some ways, it’s a miracle that the production has even made it this far.
"We’ve definitely had our moments of stress and anxiety — how are we going to get there, are we going to get to perform this show? It’s been stress-ridden," said Mark Landis, executive director of Creative Grounds Fine Arts Academy. "But our faith in God, and knowing he’ll provide what we need when we need it has helped to alleviate a lot of that."
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Rehearsing for "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" has been a saga unto itself for the cast and crew of Creative Grounds. Cast in January with rehearsals starting the next month, the coronavirus pandemic forced the group to change its plans multiple times. Virtual rehearsals gave way to "drive-in" practices where performers spread out in a parking lot and had to stay in their cars.
With the show date approaching, the cast has come together in person, going through the musical while donning masks and social distancing. The performance, which opened Thursday at Mallow Run Winery’s outdoor amphitheater and goes through Sunday, will be done with actors wearing face shields.
"Despite the challenge this production has faced, this group of students has risen, gracefully, to face them one by one," said director Katie Landis.
This will be the 21st production of the Creative Grounds Fine Arts Academy. The troupe was originally founded in 2014 as a ministry of Center Grove Church. But in late 2018, the academy made the transition to an independent nonprofit.
The organization is built upon the idea of inclusion. Opportunities for youth theater remain scarce on the southside, so the academy has been successful by ensuring that anyone who wants to take part in its camps and performances has that opportunity.
With 63 performers taking part in the musical, it was important that officials found a way to let the entire cast and crew stage the production they had worked so hard on.
"The kids have worked really hard since February, and we though we took a break in March, we wanted to pick it back up," Mark Landis said.
"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" was originally scheduled to be staged in late April. But when the pandemic shut down the state, the theater troupe put all of its plans on hold.
Slowly, they started gathering to rehearse any way they could. Groups of actors practiced virtually, a handful in late March and early April, then more frequently. As it became clear to officials that a live performance in April wasn’t going to be feasible, they started searching for ways to modify it and still stage the production.
Then, the cast and crew moved into the parking lot. Taking advantage of the lot at the Sycamore at Mallow Run, students — and more often their parents — parked their cars to practice. Cars were arranged in every-other parking space, and the young actors were not allowed to leave their cars, Mark Landis said.
"They couldn’t leave their parking space, so we had students sitting on tops of vehicles, on trunks, in the bed of trucks. It was quite an experience," he said. "I conducted on a large ladder and we projected the sound out on big speakers."
Strange as the set up was, it at least offered the opportunity to gather as one group — providing that connection and support that the troupe thrives on, Mark Landis said.
"We got to hear them all together for the first time, which was a glorious experience," he said.
Slowly, the group moved to face-to-face rehearsals, wearing masks in small groups if indoors and working outdoors as much as possible through the summer months. They endured 90-degree days, and the occasional storm, while perfecting the choreography and vocals.
Officials have worked with the Johnson County Health Department and Mallow Run to ensure their approach will be the safest possible for the cast and audience.
The state’s mask mandate required that the cast again perform with face coverings, so actors have used clear face shields to stay safe during the show’s four-night run.
Still, the costumes and set and songs retain that authentic feel of the story, Mark Landis said.
"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" is widely known from the 1968 film starring Dick Van Dyke and loosely based on a book by Ian Fleming, creator of the James Bond series. The story was also adapted into a musical in 2002, featuring popular songs from the film such as "Toot Sweets" and "Me ‘Ole Bamboo." The musical version also includes songs not featured in the film version.
They have even put together the magical car that is the signature prop in "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." The antique car is mounted on hydraulics, which makes it tilt and rise up, giving the illusion of flight.
"Chitty’s going to fly — from the ground, but it’s going to fly," Mark Landis said.
Just as it’s been for everyone, the past four months have been hard on the participants at Creative Grounds. But through the hardship, everyone has come together to strengthen the bond they already had, he said.
"It’s really helped us focus on what God calls us to do, and that’s love others, even in the midst of this unconventional time," he said.
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"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang"
When: 7:30 p.m. today, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Mallow Run Winery, 6964 W. Whiteland Road, Bargersville
Tickets: $10 for adults, $7 for students
Seating: Seats will be appropriately socially distanced. Preferred seating, with a chair provided to you, is available for $2 extra. Otherwise, attendees may bring their own lawn chair and blanket to sit on.
How to buy tickets: thelittleboxoffice.com/cgfinearts
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