By Katelyn Needham/ campus editor
Collegian file photos
Drama takes center stage this semester on four campuses as students work tirelessly to perfect their lines and deliver them with a punch.
South’s drama department will have two productions this fall. Theater director Lindy Benton-Muller has been working with students to get the script ready for We the People Sept. 29-Oct. 1.
“The students compiled thoughts and opinions about the current presidential candidates and the election that’s coming up,” she said. “The whole play is based off of what they got.”
The second play South is taking on this semester is Chekhov Tonight! It will hit the stage Nov. 17-19. All South productions will have a no-late-seating policy.
“The seating policy helps the students and other audience members prepare for other productions,” Benton-Muller said. “If they go to a play somewhere else and arrive late, they may not be let in.”
SE Campus has also been busy with its three productions. The Water Engine by David Mamet begins the season. It will run Oct. 12-15 with all shows starting at 7:30 p.m. except for a 1:30 p.m. matinee Oct. 14.
“I am excited about each of the three offerings we are presenting at Theatre Southeast this fall,” SE speech and drama chair Pert Durapau said. “There is no way I would choose a favorite as each of these extraordinary works brings with it a unique opportunity for our students to grow and learn from amazing directors and teachers.”
Lost in Yonkers by Neil Simon will run Dec. 1-3. The semester’s third production is the student-written Metamorfosis! The play, written by Carlos Romero, was chosen from the 10-minute play contest last year, Durapau said.
All major productions on every campus are free for TCC students, $3 for other students and senior citizens and $6 for the general public.
NE has two plays this semester and a production from the children’s theater class. At Home at the Zoo will run Oct. 5-8. The Farnsworth Invention will run Nov. 30-Dec. 3, and the Outreach class’ play is free but will require a reservation.
“The first play is a small three-person play written by the greatest living playwright [Edward Albee],” NE drama associate professor Jakie Cabe said. “At Home at the Zoo is really two plays, and I don’t want to give any spoilers, but the second act gets violent. The Farnsworth Invention is about the fight for the patent of TV. I wanted to collab with the radio and television department. We are using some of their resources.”
NW’s two fall plays are a female-dominated rewrite of Treasure Island that will make its debut Oct. 12-16. The second play, The Laramie Project, will hit the stage Nov. 30-Dec. 4.
“The students can expect two vastly different plays,” NW drama associate professor Josh Blann said. “Treasure Island has swashbuckling pirates, murder and mayhem. But the second play is completely different. It is much more serious. The Laramie Project is a more difficult style that tackles social issues.”
