No room at the inn? School nativities

We are all learning to adapt. The challenges of the last six months, whether physical, emotional, financial or logistical, have necessitated fast-paced change in our behaviour and outlook. The ‘new normal’ may not be exactly as we would choose, but it has nevertheless allowed us to reintroduce into our lives some fundamental elements.

Within primary schools, the nativity lies at the heart of the school year – it is so intrinsic to the structure of the autumn term that many schools will be doing all they can to ensure it takes place. But delivery will need to be different. The nativity may need to go ahead with a remote audience. It may need to be performed with smaller casts or particular bubbles of children. It may need to take place outside, and it might – as disappointing as this may sound – need to be undertaken without the usual heart-warming singing.

Two of our new nativities this term – A very special baby and An angel, a star and a stable – have been created with these factors in mind, each comprising just four songs and a short editable script for small casts. For our other new, full-length nativity, Honky Tonky Donkey by Niki Davies, and for our entire catalogue, we are making editable scripts available. If the songs cannot be sung, you may still wish to include the sung track from the CD/playlist within the performance. Or if you like the lyrics of the songs enough, you could include them as poems.

Mule-sic: Honky Tonky Donkey is the latest addition to the catalogue

It won't be the same and it may not be easy, but when has that ever stopped teachers from doing anything? They, of all people in all professions, cope with whatever is thrown at them on a daily basis, rising to the occasion for the benefit of their pupils. The nativity will be no different, but it will certainly need some planning.

Going live

Ideally, schools will still be able to invite parents and grandparents to watch in person. It might be that fewer can attend and that they need to be positioned according to social distancing rules. If, however, having a live audience proves to be too difficult, then filming the performance for it to be watched remotely is a good alternative.

If you wish to broadcast the production live, then a single static camera will be the simplest option, positioned from the viewpoint of the audience. A strong Wi-Fi signal and decent bandwidth will be required. There are a number of platforms over which you could broadcast – Zoom webinar is likely to be the most familiar to your audience, especially any parents who have undertaken remote working. The paid account, rather than the free option, will be required, though this can be purchased as a one-off cost if necessary. Zoom also allows you the option to record the broadcast and save it on the cloud. The link can then be shared as necessary, or the broadcast itself can be downloaded before being made available.

Other options, some of which you may have already made use of for remote teaching and learning, include Microsoft Teams and Google Classroom, or you might consider Facebook Live or Instagram Live. Each is relatively user-friendly and all provide online guidance and tutorials about how to use their service. Whichever option you use, you will of course need to have organised and communicated the relevant access and log-in information in advance, as well as ensuring that parents or guardians have given permission for their child to participate.

One other consideration is the value of practising a live broadcast during the dress rehearsal or before, including having one or more people (the more the better) watching from a remote location.

Lights, camera, action!

An alternative option, one that perhaps removes some of the uncertainties of live broadcasting, would be to pre-record the production before uploading to a private channel on YouTube, with access available only by invitation. You might even consider bringing in a professional to do this with two or more cameras, allowing for post-production editing.

Al fresco performances

For those looking to avoid any technical requirements, you might even think about performing your nativity/nativities outside, especially if we get some crisp winter weather. A small temporary stage, simple sound system and a well-spread audience could well be the answer.

Over the course of the last six months, schools across the country have demonstrated how resourceful, flexible and creative they can be, embodying the very characteristics that we all want to see in our pupils and children. Where a way can be found, schools will find it, and the nativities of 2020 will, perhaps more than ever, be truly memorable and uplifting occasions.

A very special baby and An angel, a star and a stable – alongside many other nativities – are available at theschoolmusicalscompany.com