Power Outage Forces Missouri S&T Theatre Students to Move Show Outdoors
Rolla, MO— Theater students at Missouri University of Science and Technology refused to let a sudden power outage stop their performance Sunday afternoon, April 19. About 20 minutes into the second act of Race’s End, a new play designed specifically for the university, the lights, sound, and projection systems failed at Castleman Hall, halting the technical backbone of the production.
Faced with a sudden blackout, the cast and crew swiftly adapted, moving the entire audience outside where the show continued uninterrupted under clear skies. The impromptu shift transformed the high-tech performance into a minimalist, reader’s theatre style presentation relying solely on voices and natural light.
Innovative Response Highlights Resilience
“It was like tripping back in time,” said Taylor Gruenloh, assistant professor of theatre. “We went from state-of-the-art special effects including smoke, surround sound, and projections, to relying on nothing but sunlight and our voices. Kind of Shakespearean.”
With no lighting cues or sound effects, stage manager Abigail Lebar, an engineering management major, narrated directions and visual elements that were no longer visible, preserving the integrity of the story. “After months of technical design focused on bold spectacle, it was rewarding to see the emotional impact remain strong just from pure storytelling,” Lebar said.
Real-World Parallel to Play’s Themes
Race’s End explores humanity’s dependence on technology and the uncertainties that come with it, making the outage an ironic but fitting real-life echo of the play’s message. “It’s deeply ironic that a show about technology reliance was temporarily stopped due to a technology failure,” noted student performer Josie Schnelten. “It really grounded us in the story’s core.”
Despite the disruption, audience members remained engaged throughout the outdoor performance, witnessing a rare demonstration of adaptability that melded engineering problem-solving with performing arts resilience.
What This Means Going Forward
This unexpected event reinforces critical lessons for both students and audiences about the power of human connection and storytelling beyond technological dependence. Theatre at Missouri S&T, known for fusing technical innovation with creativity, showcased the ability to pivot instantly under pressure.
The performance finished successfully under the open sky, leaving a lasting impression on all present. For Alabama and nationwide readers, it’s a vivid reminder: when technology fails, human spirit and ingenuity keep stories alive.
“The show proving that even without tech, storytelling endures was inspiring,” Gruenloh said.
