Theater performances are a timeless way of thinking about the everyday from fresh, new perspectives. “They offer a chance to experience the immersive, contemplative and impactful experiences of life,” says Dr. Lauren Love, South Puget Sound Community College’s Theatre Collective founder, director and SPSCC drama professor. This February 24 through March 5 the Collective uses art to process a dystopian world at war in a production of Caryl Churchill’s “Far Away.”
Local Theater Production ‘Far Away’ Blends the Intimate, Experimental and Dystopian on Stage
Love explains that her choices for the stage are carefully selected to expose students and audiences to more intimate, experimental work. “Practical and artistic considerations go into all of my decisions about the season,” she adds. She facilitates a sense of community between students, faculty, guest artists, professional designers and willing volunteers. Auditions are open to any- and everyone, which provides mentorship and a way for both fresh and veteran actors to learn from one another.
There are four speaking parts in “Far Away,” explains Love. Two are played by community members, one by a current student and one by a former student. The play also calls for a silent ensemble to appear as prisoners and several SPSCC acting students are part of that group. Former SPSCC student Jordanna Averett designed the set and alumni Brennan Tucker is stage manager. Love is directing the play and Technical Director Adam Michard is a valued member of the SPSCC staff.
The performance venue is slightly nontraditional as well, and that factored into the production. “Since the Black Box is a smaller space, I seek out shows with smaller casts and less elaborate scenic needs, but I also seek out pieces that are provocative,” Love explains. “The Black Box also allows us to configure the relationship between the playing space and the audience in a myriad of ways.”
Live Theater in Olympia Resonates, Interrogates and Inspires
Because live theater reflects the human experience, it exposes us to new perspectives and collects us as a community of unique individuals, says Love. “I think we always need that but may need it more now because we’ve been separated,” she adds. “Human beings will always need to come together and share stories so we can learn about one another, feel for one another, and move forward together. The theater opens space to do this.”
At SPSCC’s Theatre Collective, coming together is job one. Love believes it is a bridge between students and the community and fosters relationships with many local performance groups and locales. They regularly welcome the public to get involved both on stage and behind the scenes.
“Because of our connections with the community,” explains Love, “we have been able to connect our students to local productions, to move our students through increasingly advanced positions in our productions and to give our students a great foundation for continuing their theater studies. Whether students are integrating theater art in their lives as future theater makers or avid audience members, our program provides hands-on experience and academic attention they may not find in larger departments. Olympia is a vibrant theater community and the reciprocity we have between SPSCC and local community and professional organizations helps us grow both.”
Come One, Come All to Enjoy the Show
SPSCC Theatre Collective shows are free, with donations gladly accepted. “Our institution is committed to access as central to its mission and we strongly believe that the arts are for everyone,” stresses Love.
“Far Away” is less than an hour in length but challenging in subject matter so she recommends it for high school ages and above. Audience members will have a chance to talk about the performance with members of the Collective afterwards if they wish.
To learn more about upcoming shows, follow the Theatre Collective on Facebook or SPSCC’s Arts and Entertainment calendar. They also post flyers around town and schedule performances on a regular basis with the fall show in November, winter show in February or early March and spring musical each year. The Sondheim musical, “Sunday in the Park with George,” is coming up this spring, with performances the last weekend in May and first weekend of June.
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