COVID-19 Closures: Tyler McCutchen

The COVID-19 pandemic continues change the world as we know it. As closures and performance cancellations have put actors out of school and work, I’ve been reaching out to those affected the most. Here are their stories.

My name is Tyler McCutchen and I am a 23 old working actor here in Missouri. I currently am in 3 musicals (The Bodyguard, Bonnie and Clyde, and Something Rotten). It seems like a lot to be doing right now and it has taken a toll on my sleep and my physical strength but I have been dealing with these issues effectively to keep myself as fresh and ready to work every single day.

However, with the spreading of COVID-19, it’s become a scary thought. What will happen if this disease prevents me and my cast mates from presenting our hard work? What if we continue to do the shows and no one comes to see them? All of this has been going through my head recently especially after Broadway went dark last night at 5pm as well as multiple college and local productions around me cancelling performances.

It sounds selfish that I am more concerned about performing than my own health but in reality that is not it at all. If anything, I do live theatre because I love to give people an escape from the world and the troubles in it by performing for them. I love theatre the most when I am impacting someone’s life in a way that they may need in that moment. I love doing theatre because you can change so many lives or inspire so many people with your work that they are given inspiration to tackle life’s challenges. So, COVID-19 is preventing people who share my same sentiments for live theatre to stop what we are doing. It is preventing us from providing people with that escape.

With all of this being said, however, I have not given up hope. Currently Missouri has issued a state wide emergency yet as of right now, all of my performances (March, April, and June, respectively) are still green lit. What is really disheartening is the uncertainty of how long, or how potent the future of COVID-19 can be. I was just cast as Nick Bottom in the first ever amateur production of Something Rotten in America and it is disheartening because I was (still am) in shock with positivity and joy for the opportunity and my hard work. Yet, even if the future is uncertain, I do know this. There is hope. There is light at the end of this dark tunnel.

I have been inspired by Maggie and the Broadway community in the slue of events. If my performances get cancelled, it will be disheartening. Yet, I will carry on with positivity. I have even thought of turning to YouTube to post videos of myself singing my songs from shows such as Something Rotten if we unfortunately have to cancel it.

Whatever I can do to allow my friends, family, and public to continue to feel the wonder and joy of live theatre in a dark time is what pushes me forth and it will continue to.

Stay strong beautiful people!

Tyler McCutchen (23) is a working actor residing in Columbia, Missouri. He is working toward joining the EMC program and further to his future of one day joining the ranks of working actors at AEA. Tyler has been training in performing arts since the age of 13 and has been seen in many productions across Mid-Missouri. Credits include: Nick Bottom (Something Rotten), Shrek (Shrek the Musical), Horton (Suessical). Tyler also has credits as a guest artist with Stephens College of Performing Arts as: Father Alexandrios/Ensemble (Mamma Mia with broadway actress Jennifer Hemphill) and Sir William Lucas/ Mr. Gardiner (Pride and Prejudice). Please feel free to reach out to him on his Instagram- @tylermsu1919 or @tylermccutchen5302.

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