YOUNGSTOWN — For the Mahoning Valley Players, the show must go on … line.

The group, founded in 2011 to present free performances of William Shakespeare’s plays, is accepting online auditions through April 17 for its production of “King Lear.” The COVID-19 virus that is forcing those online auditions also will influence the staging of the Shakespearean tragedy, which will be presented online.

After several years of performances at Mill Creek MetroParks’ Judge Morley Pavilion, the group planned to partner with Youngstown State University to stage “King Lear” at Bliss Hall’s Ford Theater in conjunction with the YSU Summer Festival of the Arts from July 10-12.

“‘King Lear’ is the Everest of Shakespeare,” said Kim Akins, artistic director for MVP. “Personally, I was really excited about putting this show up, testing the meddle of local actors. It really requires strong performances from everyone, even the ones with two lines. Then corona came along.”

Sheltering in place directives from Gov. Mike DeWine made it impossible to have auditions this month and start rehearsals for a show with a large cast.

Michael Dempsey, who is directing “Lear,” said, “Everything became extremely uncertain and fluid. At first we thought July 10 probably would be OK, but it became more and more obvious, even if the infection peaked and social distancing was discontinued, people still probably would not be comfortable attending a live theater event in early July … I didn’t want to start a process with actors that would have to be canceled.”

Instead video auditions will be accepted until April 17. Complete details on how to record and submit auditions are available on the Mahoning Valley Players Facebook page. Those interested also can contact Dempsey by emailing demzer@gmail.com or calling 330-397-3667.

“Older actors, those less savvy with technology, I encourage them to contact me and talk about it,” Dempsey said. “I want to help them solve those kinds of problems.”

Rehearsals will start in mid-May using Zoom, the same technology many businesses and schools are using to work and educate from home.

“Shakespeare is better suited than a lot of theater to doing it that way,” Dempsey said. “The first couple weeks are just learning the text, developing the characters and learning the language before you put it up on its feet.”

How rehearsals progress will depend on the guidelines in place in June. Certain scenes really need to be done with at least small groups of actors working together, but Dempsey is prepared to record each one separately if he must.

“Our situation with COVID-19 will continue to influence how we do things,” Dempsey said. “Some of the themes – elder care, mental health – are already in the play. The plan is to do it in a situation like we have now, where you have to be isolated. It will be a modern take, actors interacting live with each other but in separate locations.

“We can add music, we can add effects and continue to integrate the limitations we have right into the story without distorting the text so it’s more coherent and organic to how we do it.”

The plan is to release the final production online on July 10, the same day the show would have premiered at YSU.

“We really believe in the arts community and the theater community that more than ever what we do is of real value to people. Not only are they stuck at home and need entertained, but there are a lot of issues that need to be talked about, and art and theater is one way to do that.”

agray@tribtoday.com