The onset of COVID-19 transformed the world in ways unimaginable. For performers in the niche but impactful world of educational assembly shows for elementary schools, the pandemic was a period of unprecedented upheaval, adaptation, and madness. With the lockdown, live performances, a staple in schools nationwide, were suddenly off the table, and livelihoods were threatened.
As someone deeply committed to bringing joy and learning to young minds, Doug Scheer drew on his 40 years of experience to innovate, pivoting his live shows to virtual performances, broadcasting from a home studio hastily constructed in the basement.
Tapping on his selection of 12 exciting and interactive shows crafted specifically for elementary school students, Sheer scripted and produced a series of shows focusing on science, reading, magic, and environmental issues to engage and inspire his audiences.
This transition was a lifeline for his business and an opportunity to reach children in multiple states back-to-back, all from the comfort and safety of home. The virtual format was surprisingly successful, allowing Scheer and his team to create interactive and engaging experiences over Zoom.
As the driving force behind AssemblyShows.com, Scheer sets the standard for impactful, memorable educational performances in schools. Recognized for his creative approach, Scheer’s assemblies are tailored to inspire and motivate young minds, from problem-solving and exciting math shows to diversity and confronting school aggression.
“The pandemic left an indelible mark on children’s behavior and social skills. After years of isolation and disrupted routines, many students struggled to sit quietly, respond appropriately, or engage with the show in a manner we had once taken for granted. Yet, as challenging as those times were, they also provided moments of levity and resilience that we now look back on with a mix of astonishment and amusement,” said Scheer.
As schools began reopening and welcoming back students, teachers, and parents, Scheer returned to in-person performances and met with unpredictable and often surreal challenges.
One particular school was inordinately concerned about the potential for the virus to linger on surfaces and requested the show’s equipment be delivered and quarantined onsite for two weeks before the performance. According to Scheer, his equipment is essential for daily operations and relinquishing it for two weeks for a single performance was simply unfeasible. The school’s insistence reflected the heightened anxiety of the times.
In another show, the team drove from Michigan to Delaware for its Diversity Circus show. Upon arrival, the school organizers insisted that no children be allowed on stage. When Scheer explained that the show required the participation of 17 children to teach essential values like fairness, inclusion, and respect, the school proposed a highly unconventional solution.
Teachers hurriedly set up a safety station and children had to don hand sanitizer, face masks, and rubber gloves before stepping on stage. Consequently, a typically seamless 45-minute performance stretched into an hour-long show interspersed by the children’s preparation before going on stage.
The following incident underscores the complex and often contradictory measures schools adopted to balance safety with normalcy. Having recovered from COVID-19 and armed with natural immunity, Scheer opted out of getting vaccinated.
During an after-school family night, the principal announced that only individuals who could present their vaccination papers could participate. Backstage, Scheer and his team were bewildered and amused, pondering how they had been permitted to perform despite the stringent entry requirements for everyone else.
Today, Doug Scheer reflects on these experiences with gratitude and is reminded of the importance of bringing joy and learning into the lives of children. The pandemic taught him how to innovate, adapt, and find new ways to connect with his audience through safe, engaging, and memorable assembly shows for schools in Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, and surrounding states.
About Assembly Shows Preformed by Doug Scheer:
AssemblyShows.com specializes in delivering captivating and educational assemblies to schools across the nation. Orchestrated by Doug Scheer, the company creates engaging presentations that align with school curricula while fostering creativity, critical thinking, and moral values. Scheer is a celebrated performer and educator renowned for his captivating and innovative school assembly programs, delivering powerful messages on topics such as character education, anti-bullying, and STEM learning. His shows are expertly crafted to engage students through humor, magic, and storytelling while reinforcing valuable life lessons.
Media Contact
Company Name: AssemblyShows.com
Contact Person: Doug Scheer
Email: Send Email
Phone: (248) 891-1900
City: MICHIGAN
State: Ohio
Country: United States
Website: https://assemblyshows.com/