TCC Theatre Department Pivots to Virtual Productions
As the world has adapted to the pandemic, the Tulsa Community College Theatre Department has moved its theatre productions to virtual presentations.
These events are free to the community and combine the production as well as a costume and set design presentations.
“TCC’s top priority is to ensure quality learning while maintaining safe practices during this pandemic. We have found creative ways to take many aspects online in the School of Visual & Performing Arts while keeping the necessary hands-on learning opportunities for courses, such as scene and costume construction,” said Kelly Clark, Dean of the School of the Visual & Performing Arts.
The production of “Fish in the Dark” by Larry David and directed by Mark Frank earlier this Fall was viewed by more than 170 individuals. It also received recognition from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region VI with a meritorious achievement for production ensemble and meritorious achievement for acting by Levi Smiley and Scharain Watkins.
“One of the positive aspects of TCC’s Theatre program is the increased engagement with actors and actresses from Broadway to LA through virtual masterclasses. We have capitalized on these opportunities with industry professionals sharing an inside look with TCC students of how they are adapting during the pandemic,” said Frank, TCC associate professor and theatre coordinator.
Next up is the production, “The Humans” written by Stephen Karam. The one-act play is set as the Blake family gathers for Thanksgiving in a run-down Manhattan apartment. The story reveals a number of struggles among the family members, including job insecurity, illness, and aging and explores the theme of how we remain human through these challenges. The Humans was a finalist for the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and won the 2016 Tony Award for Best Play.
Directed by Mark Frank, the cast features Levi Smiley, Katie McCaffrey, Sophia Krist, Ana Nunez, Magdalene Hooks and Brayden Marchant.
The TCC Theatre Department presents “The Humans” on Nov. 12, 13 and 14 at 8 p.m. with a costume and set design presentation at 7:30 p.m. To watch the virtual production, log into Zoom and use the ID 934 2396 922.
