By Cicely Sandifer/ reporter
The spring semester will offer students a variety of plays including South’s original production of Those Before Me.enter
The spring semester has begun, and TCC’s drama programs already have productions lined up for students to enjoy watching or even join the cast.
South Campus drama instructor Lindy Benton-Muller is planning a curated show called Those Before Me for February. Drama students under Benton-Muller’s direction will use published materials such as songs and poetry to create their own play.
“It’s something the students want to talk about, [and it] leaves room for interpretation,” she said.
Benton-Muller has professional experience as a director, producer and an actor, so for her, it’s important students work together to create something they are proud of.
Benton-Muller did research for the play during winter break, and the students have one to two weeks to create a script. She encourages students to attend the play.
SE’s drama program will perform the musical Grease April 19-22. Curtains open at 7:30 p.m. with a 1:30 p.m. matinee April 21.
SE drama students are also making plans to participate in a theater festival this semester.
“Two different productions are being considered for the Region Six Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival,” SE drama and speech associate professor Pert Durapau said.
The two considerations are MetAMORfosis! and The Water Engine. MetAMORfosis! is an original one-act play produced by student Carlos Romero.
The Water Engine is a full-length play written by playwright David Mamet and will be directed by Angela Inman.
The festival is held at Angelo State University in San Angelo.
“We will be producing 10-minute student original plays for a festival with dates to be announced,” Durapau said.
The NE Campus drama program is putting on its 10th annual Shakespeare Festival that will include the production of Hamlet directed by NE drama associate professor Stephen Thomas.
“Hamlet is a story about revenge and treachery, love and loss, madness and peace,” he said. “Then everyone dies.”
The musical theater workshop class on NE Campus will perform its production of the musical First Date April 26-29.
The musical comedy revolves around a blind date that’s full of surprises.
The musical will be directed by NE drama adjunct instructor Susan Polster.
“Susan has directed about 20 musicals here at TCC,” Thomas said. “She does a great job, and we are lucky to have her here.”
NW Campus drama is working on two plays this spring semester, Miss Nelson is Missing! and Almost, Maine.
Miss Nelson is Missing!, based on a children’s book by Harry Allard and James Marshall, is about a classroom full of misbehaved children who regret their ways when a scary substitute teacher steps into the room.
The play, directed by NW drama instructor Brent Alford, has performances March 1-5 with student matinees.
Almost, Maine by John Cariani explores and reflects love and romance in nine vignettes or, as Alford calls them, “tiny plays.”
The play will be directed by new director to TCC Griffin Hammel and will have performances April 19-23.
“It’s a straight-up romantic comedy,” Alford said.
