2013 is the opportune moment to make a fresh start academically, occupationally and in extracurricular activities. Only a couple weeks into winter quarter, the art, music and theatre departments have already held various auditions and displays. For some students, representing Bellevue College may go beyond the classroom and onto the stage.
Last Wednesday, BC’s Stage Fright student production crew held auditions for “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot,” which will be performed April 11-13 in the Stop Gap Studio Theatre. Students will direct, act and stage design for the production. Stage Fright’s most recent project was “Directions,” which was performed from Dec. 2-4 and sold many tickets.
“Fall quarter went incredibly well, we did a special added performance of ‘8’ in October, which was a stage reading by Dustin Lance Black about marriage equality. Many staff, students and faculty members were involved,” said Tammi Doyle, the chair of the Theatre Department. “In November, we did Still Life of Iris, which almost sold out the run. It was the first time we did a kid show and that was really great for the students. The production was colorful and wonderful. We had some veteran BC student actors and new actors involved,” Doyle added.
Putting together productions is an important bonding experience for Stage Fright members, who practice improv, play theatre games, attend shows in Seattle and hold workshops together. Stage Fright is working hard to prepare for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Two BC actors from each show will attend the KCACT festival in Sacramento, California in mid-February. The BC drama department will perform two short scenes from “The Foreigner,” and “Spring Awakening” in full costume at the festival.
Events like the KCACT festival serve as an educational outlet for students to develop their performance skills. Looking into future quarters, practicing difficult works of theatre may “not be everyone’s cup of tea, but we need to do that work,” Doyle said.
“I’ve been saying this to the students all quarter. ‘It’s a wonderful time to be alive.’ Our Tech design classes are fuller than they have ever been. Our acting classes right now are fuller than they have ever been,” she added. Drama students are working hard on “Little Shop of Horrors,” under the direction of Phil Lacey, which is scheduled for performance from March 6-9 at 7:30 p.m. in the Stop Gap Theatre.
BC students are also encouraged to attend Stone Dance Production’s free workshop “Chop Shop: Bodies of Work” for contemporary dance in the Stop Gap Studio Theatre this Saturday. The music department is also preparing for upcoming performances. On Jan. 26, the 2013 Pacific Vocal Jazz festival will be held at BC from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a concert at 7:30 p.m. in the Carlson Theatre. BC will also be hosting its 17th Big Band Jazz Festival on Feb. 2, with a concert at 8 p.m. in the Carlson Theatre. Art and photography students should check out the newest installment in the BC Art Gallery, located in D-271, where UW Art Emeritus professor, Norman Lundin will display his contemporary drawings, photography and expressive paper works until Feb. 6.
In winter quarter, students can be kept busy by attending performances and showcases held by the art, theatre and music departments. These events are hosted to enrich the educational environment at BC. Let’s get this show on the road Bulldogs!