The workshop on March 14 consisted of a table read of a student-written play performed by active members of University Players.

“ZOOM” (name pending), a two-act comedy written by PennWest California Senior Caedon Vogel, highlights the difficulties in communication and the hardships that arise from online learning following the COVID-19 pandemic. Vogel was inspired by his own experience with online instruction following the merger of PennWest campuses, feeling as though it has both improved efficiency and speed, but stunted skills in communication.

The play opens with a professor attempting to conquer the new, unfamiliar challenge of setting up a Zoom classroom. Once the classroom is set up, we are acquainted with a broad mix of personalities as the students filter in. The viewer would be correct in saying that the comedy feels as if it is going nowhere, Vogel describes the play as a lecture that “quite literally never starts.” A whirlwind of comedy ensues as the first-time professor tries and fails to gain control over the class.

Vogel plans to write another draft before pitching to theatres and publishing companies. To follow along on his journey with “ZOOM” and other works, you can follow @caedon.v on Instagram.