CAST of Nexus Bendigo Youth Theatre's Oliver held their first face-to-face rehearsal on Monday after weeks of Zoom meetings due to coronavirus restrictions.
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Director Julie Lovell said July usually meant the company was preparing for opening night. They hope to present the show in January.
Rehearsals are currently limited and include social distancing with many students wearing masks.
"It's a weird to think it's the first time since 2010 we are not performing in July," she said.
"A lot are wondering and asking why we're still pursuing (the show) and not cancelling until next year. The reason we're doing this is for the students. They need people, consistency and to be together."
"We don't have to wear masks but we are being super careful and are going to be overly cautious."
Before returning to the rehearsal space on Monday, cast had been meeting via Zoom for weeks to practice their songs, dialogue and choreography.
"We've been persisting all term on Zoom," Lovell said "We haven't stopped the whole second term. (Monday) was our first in-person rehearsal since they told us to stop mass gatherings.
"It was amazing, the kids were incredible. They stepped into the space and we were going. They know two ensemble songs and the leads know the entire script. So the dialogue is there, we just need to block it.
"The chorus singing is very difficult (on Zoom) but they stuck int with it and practiced hard."
Restrictions around social distancing, people per room and a lack of mass gatherings will continue to be an obstacle to Nexus.
"Many students ahd their own masks already," Lovell said. "Next week we get into scenes and choerography of specific things that make it harder to socially distance.
"We have three provisos on our website that will stop the show until January 2021. One is is regional Vicotria goes into lockdown, second is if by term four we can't gather as a whole cast and third is if The Captial can't have an audience of at least 200 then it's not viable to do the show."
If Nexus is forced to postpone Oliver again, the company will aim to present the show in July, 2021.
But the theatre group will continue to meet regularly for the wellbeing of the young cast.
"If in three months, the show is called and we don't do it, we still have young people connecting, being kind, growing as leaders and learning how to care for one another in a difficult time," Lovell said.
"If we have to postpone, we will offer students the same roles in July and get ready to go again.
"Everyone in the community needs to look at the fact that there is a bright future. We need to encourage everyone to look toward that.
"It may be unpredictable and unprecedented but without something to invest in, a community falls apart."
