By George Mizelle/reporter
TCC’s theater programs are set to entertain the public and educate students again this spring.
The theatrical productions are selected not only to entertain but also to challenge the performers into doing their best work, said TCC theater faculty members.
“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum was chosen to provide our students with the challenge of the music of Stephen Sondheim,” said Pert Durapau, SE theater director, about one of its spring production.
Of the five TCC campuses, four have theater programs and have scheduled two productions each this semester.
NW will present Miss Nelson is Missing!, a play for children adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher, in February and Eric Bogosian’s musical drama SubUrbia in April.
NE will perform Shakespeare’s Richard III in February and Bob Martin and Don McKellar’s musical The Drowsy Chaperone in May.
SE is scheduled to hit the stage with Neil Simon’s God’s Favorite in March and Sondheim’s musical comedy A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in April.
South is gearing up to honor Black History Month with August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson in February and Women’s History Month with Sophocles’ Antigone in April.
In addition to the productions scheduled for the semester, each campus has plans for workshops and/or other theater-related activities, such as fundraisers and public school outreach programs that will be regularly announced and open to all interested students.
Despite the general idea that theater courses are for those interested in pursuing theatrical careers, more than one faculty member stressed the value of skills learned in theater classes that can be applied to other degrees and careers.
“I want to be clear that not all theater students pursue a degree in theater,” Durapau said. “We are absolutely thrilled that many of our students who are pursuing other degrees still contribute greatly to the success of our theater programs.”
J. Brent Alford, NW performing arts department chair, agreed. Regardless of what profession students eventually pursue, the skill set they acquire in theater classes will provide tools that can help them in whatever career choice they make, he said.
“You’re talking about basic communication skills, confidence, interpersonal relationships, working within a collaborative process, the use of critical thinking, the development of the imagination and creativity,” he said. “I think it’s important that we at TCC realize how extraordinarily lucky we [are to be a part of] a college district that recognizes the historic and inherent value of arts in education and that continues to fund fully developed and active arts programs in a time where many educational institutions across the state and country are seeking areas in which to reduce costs.”
While some students pursue other degrees and careers that could benefit from the skills learned taking theater classes, others will pursue a future in theater.
For those considering a degree in theater, Stephen Thomas, NE theater director, had some advice.
“You have, at some point in your life, heard the cry within you for something out of the ordinary, challenging, creative and interesting,” he said.
“Come. Discover truths you have not considered, skills you can use in every aspect of your life, challenging goals, hard, fulfilling work and, who knows, maybe the love of your life.”