End of Semester news from the ACC Drama Department!

Exciting news from the Drama Department at Austin Community College!

NEWS and UPDATES

The cast of Sight Unseen by Donald Margulies

with director Joe Kelley

Letter from the Director of Sight Unseen

I’ve always had a passion for telling stories. When I was a kid this came in the form of me tying a blanket around my shoulders, throwing a pair of briefs on my head (so that my hair stuck out of the leg holes), and then running up and down the stairs howling and waving a toy lightsaber about.

However, that wasn’t my favorite way of telling the story. Yes, it was fun to be right there in the center of the tumult but there was a certain dramatic flair that I was missing. That’s where my big ol box of action figures came in. I could lay down on the floor and create whole sagas of Batman/ Star Wars crossover stories to my little boy heart’s content.

Little did I know that the feeling I had there on the floor all those years ago would lie dormant until the first day of Sight Unseen rehearsals, when I got to sit down and look at my actors; I had a brand new box of toys.

Only these people could help me create their own stories through the lens of Donald Margulies phenomenally written and well-conceived script. Endless possibilities stretched out before me.

Sight Unseen deals with a plethora of complex human emotions and situations told using a very interesting narrative device. The scenes are not in chronological order. This allows the audience to formulate opinions about situations and then go back or forward in time to receive new information and then view the previous situations from a new perspective .

The idea of new perspectives permeates our version of this show so very deeply. Not only in the aforementioned non chronological narrative device, but in the “set”, the seating, and the blocking. Our team has worked long and hard so that by the time an audience member leaves the show after their first viewing, they’ll want to come right back and view it again. However, this time in a different seat on a different side of the room, with new information that will reshape their perceptions of the characters and the narrative as a whole.

Every single member of my team on this production has been so incredibly collaborative and supportive of me and one other since day one. The actors, the designers, the technicians, the mentors -- all of them. I could not possibly be more proud of all of the dedication, effort, energy, patience, kindness, passion, and love that this production company has shown during the process.

We’ve been saying it since day one, but perhaps it’s time to reexamine it. We are a team. A team. We did this together. It would not have been what it was had any single part of the process been different. I’m thankful for that every day.

I will hold onto this feeling, this moment, this product of true artists and I will never forget what we did here.

We. Made. Art.

Go Team.

Joe Kelley

Director of Sight Unseen

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:

PAIGE ROBLES

Interview by Jamie Rogers

Where are you from?

I am from Harlingen Texas.

Were you involved in any theatre when you were in high school?

While in High School I was part of the Speech Drama Debate Team and all things Theatre. I loved being able to express and discover myself through performance art. Everything about the theatre allured me. From production to costumes to performing, I loved it all. I especially loved competing every weekend in Speech Drama Debate. As a team, we would travel all over Texas and the United States. I specifically competed in all of the Acting events. At the end of my high school Speech Drama Debate career, I was Nationally and State-ranked multiple times. It was fun and exhilarating, being able to put myself out there and compete with amazingly talented actors. I cannot express how much Speech Drama Debate has positively impacted my life and creative self.

What were the reasons you decided to enroll at Austin Community College? What is your current major?

I am currently studying at Austin Community College majoring in Communication. I decided to enroll at Austin Community College because of the fantastic resources available and affordability. The Professors are always highly qualified and usually also work among the different Universities in the area. Another deciding factor for me was the automatic sense of community fostered at Austin Community College.

What made you decide to audition for our upcoming production of Sight Unseen ?

My Professor Lisa Neely asked my class if any of us were auditioning for Sight Unseen. Initially, I was timid about auditioning, but with the support of my classmates and Professor Neely, I found myself more confident and auditioned. I had so much fun during the audition process; after which, I hoped to be a part of the ensemble for the upcoming production.

Have you taken any classes in the Drama Department and why? Important things you have learned so far?

Yes, I am currently enrolled in Acting I with Professor Neely. I have always been passionate about performance art, specifically acting. For a long time, I told myself not to pursue my passion for performance art in order to pursue a more lucrative career path, but that only led to me being unhappy. I found that I am my happiest and truest self when I am in a creative space. Especially so when I am surrounded by people who are also following their passions and exploring the creative space. I plan to take many more classes with the Austin Community College Drama Department. From what I have experienced of the Drama Department from this show and my class, I am more than excited to continue my creative path with Austin Community College.

You are currently cast in our upcoming production of Sight Unseen. Can you tell us what character you play and what the rehearsal/performance process has been like?

I play Patricia. The rehearsal and performance process has been very exciting and inspiring. Joe is a creative, passionate, and dedicated director and those qualities carry over and inspire us, the ensemble. Our rehearsals are a wonderful creative space. Not to mention, the crew is always on point and killing it! Together we are creating, defining, and exploring Sight Unseen.

Paige Robles in a rehearsal of Sight Unseen

Do you attend school and have outside employment? If so, how do you find a balance between work and ACC extracurricular activities?

Life itself is a balancing act. You have to decide what is important to you and how much time and dedication to allot to each. What helps me the most is planning out my days/weeks by assigning a specific time dedicated to a task. For example, a typical day for me looks like 2 hours for school projects, 3 hours for homework, 2 hours for self rehearsal, 3-4 hours for production rehearsal, and so on. The trick is planning in a way that feels similar to crossing off a list. This process helps me to relieve a great deal of stress because it allows me to focus on what I need to do now , instead of worrying about what I need to do later.

What does the future hold?

I plan to transfer to the University Of Texas at Austin where I will pursue a Bachelor of Science in Communication & Leadership. But before that, I plan to take many more classes with the Drama Department here at Austin Community College. I am excited to continue to learn and grow as I pursue my passion and school.

SPOTLIGHT ON STUDENT LIFE

Cypress Creek Drama Club

Christian Mayen, President

Interview by Jamie Rogers

What made you decide to begin a student life organization focused in Drama at the Cypress Creek campus?

I wanted to create an organization where students, who had prior theatre and fine arts experience, could come together and find community.

Was it an easy process to start a new club?

The process overall of starting a club isn't really all that hard: there are some formalities that need to be addressed — for instance, creating a club constitution — but aside from that, it just takes some time and commitment to get it done.

What are some of the goals of your organization?

The major goals of the CYP Drama Club is to expand the theatrical horizons of its members by producing a student directed live performance/film, coordinating expeditions to attend local theatric/artistic/musical events and establish a homely community where theatre enthusiasts, artist and musicians can make new friends, memories, and futures.

How does one join the organization? They do not need to attend school at the Cypress Creek campus to join?

Everyone is welcome to join the CYP Drama Club! Regardless their major, origin or main campus. It's super easy to join: just login to MySL , then click "ORGANIZATIONS", search for the Cypress Creek Drama Club and then click "JOIN".

Tell us a bit about the upcoming Talent Show on April 25th that your club is co-sponsoring with Student Life?

I’m very excited to announce the CYP Campus Talent Show, an event where everyone of every talent is welcome to perform, have free pizza, win prizes, and have fun! I encourage those who have a talent to come and participate in a day that is sure to be memorable.

What other future events or projects do you have planned?

There will be a Makeup & Special FX event this Wednesday, April 17, @12 in room 2230 at the CYP Campus: there’ll be a demonstration of stage makeup design and an opportunity to just mess around and have fun. Moreover, the CYP Drama Club will be shooting its Student Directed Film May 3-5: if you’re interested, email cypdrama.acc@gmail.com for more information. Lastly, the club will be hosting the CYP DRAMA BANQUET (it’s so awesome it’s in all-caps). It’ll be a night of meals, awards, mystery, and fun! If you’re interested, email the club for more information.