Bronwyn Dodson Theatre Setting for Tragi-Comedy
— Fullerton College Hornet - Michael Besack - Monday, November 7th, 1994
Fresh off their production of"Hamlet," the Fullerton College Theatre Arts Department will present "Six Degrees of Separation" by John Guare. The award-winning play will open Nov. 3. in the Bronwyn Dodson The. atre.
"Degrees" is a multi-faceted play with unexpected plot twists and a dark side. It has been described as a tragi-comedy that is merciless and compassionate about rich people, ghetto opportunists and unhappy families.
"Degrees" will be directed by Gary Krinke and will run through the better part of November. It features a strong cast of characters including two accomplished guest artists, Brian Kojak of Anaheim and Arlyn McDonald of Placentia.
McDonald, who will take the part of Louisa, is a member-at-large of the Southern California Educational Theatre Association Board and is also the FC Theatre Arts Department Resident Guest for the Fall semester.
She received her undergraduate degree in Musical Theatre Performance from the University of Northern Colorado and a Masters degree from California State University, Fullerton. McDonald has also been involved in industrial films and commercials.
McDonald is currently teaching Acting Techniques, Movement for Actors and Acting Workshop at both FC and Cypress College.
Kojak, a FC alumnus, is slated to take the role of Flanders. While at FC, he was involved in several campus productions including "Mr. Roberts," in which he took the title role, and "Peter Pan."
Since his last FC performance in "The Three Musketeers," Kojak has opened his own theater, Stages, where he as administered 54 productions in his two years as producing artistic director.
Kojak has Hollywood credits including the title role in "Bullshot Crummond" and King Henry II in "Becket"
Guare's masterpiece, "Degrees," is one of the highest acclaimed plays of recent years. Among other dubious honors, it has won the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play in 1991.
Guare received the 1991 Obie Award for Outstanding Playwright.
"Degrees" will run Nov. 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. and November 13 at 2 p.m.
Tickets are available at the Fine Arts Box Office Monday through Friday, 10:30 a.m. to 3:30p.m., or can be ordered by calling (714) 871-8101.
Areas of Study...
Acting, Performance and Musical Theatre
Each season of plays provides a wide variety of roles and production post experiences for Theatre students. High production values, current state of the art technologies, and a wide spectrum of very challenging styles and subject matter make the performance venues excellent laboratories for student exploration and growth.
Directing and Playwriting
Few community colleges offer students opportunities to study directing and playwrighting in their first two years of undergraduate study. Students follow the classwork they successfully complete with opportunities to compete for assignments in the Playwrights Festival and the Directors Festival.
General Education
For both the non-major and the major alike, the Theatre Arts general education courses meet university transfer requirements and allow the student to build a strong foundation of introductory knowledge to the many facets of theatre-making and theatre-study.