BLINN THEATRE ARTS PROGRAM TO END 2020-21 SEASON WITH LIVE PERFORMANCES
The Blinn College Theatre Arts Program is ending its 2020-21 season with one of its most ambitious shows – and a return to performing before a live audience.
(courtesy Blinn College)
The comedy “Completely Hollywood, Abridged!” will be staged April 29 and 30 (7 p.m.) and May 1 and 2 (2 p.m.) at the Dr. W.W. O’Donnell Performing Arts Center on the Brenham Campus.
This marks the first 2020-21 show that will be performed before a live audience, said Drama Instructor Jennifer Patrick. In addition, the shows will be livestreamed.
Due to COVID-19, the Theatre Arts Program opted for an “old-time radio theatre” format for its previous shows this season. “The Screaming Woman,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” and “Popeye and the Gang at the Zoo” were recorded using high-resolution cameras and are still available for free viewing at www.blinn.edu/boxoffice.
Patrick said students are eager to perform before an audience.
“It has been wonderful to get back on stage with these talented actors and technicians to bring this show to a live audience,” she said. “Everybody has been so excited to get this show up and running.”
This will be Blinn’s first theatre production to be livestreamed.
“We have three cameras that will be shooting the play in real time. I highly recommend you come into the theatre and see the production, and then watch it online,” she said. “I think both will give you a completely different experience.”
In “Completely Hollywood, Abridged!” performers Jeremiah Lara, Josiah Fernandez, and Hayden Evans condense the 186 greatest films into a compilation of classic cinematic clichés, using comedic props.
Technical director for the production is Kevin Patrick, with Tanner Pieper serving as assistant student director. Stage manager is Casey Prowell. Other students involved are Leticia Andrade, backstage manager; Dustin Randolph, student costume designer; and Ashton Jeske, student sound designer.
Brad Nies is Theatre Arts Director.
“It’s a pretty zany show,” Jennifer Patrick said. “They give ‘Hollywood lessons’ throughout Act One and they may act some scenes from films to prove their point. Act Two is these three guys coming up with the greatest movie of all time using all the clichés from all the movies.
“It’s a fun ride when you catch the films they are referencing.”
Tickets are $5 each (plus a convenience fee) and available (with streaming information) at www.blinn.edu/boxoffice. Seating will be limited to 120 people. Social distancing and other healthy/safety protocols will be followed by all actors, crew members, and the audience.
(Story courtesy Richard Bray, Blinn Information)