CLC Theatre students to present one-act plays
Two contemporary one-act plays will be presented by the College of Lake County Theatre department in April as part of "Play On! A CLC Theatre Student Showcase," a celebration of student creativity, talent and achievement where CLC students showcase their abilities as actors, directors, stage managers, designers and technicians.
The plays are "Los Vendidos" ("The Sellouts") by Luis Valdez and El Teatro Campesino, directed by Moisés Diaz, and "Far Away" by Caryl Churchill, directed by Sharone Beckless.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 8 and 9; 2 p.m. Sunday, April 10; and 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, April 14-16, in the Studio Theatre. A post-play discussion with the directors, cast and production team will be held following the April 14 performance.
Politics and culture collide in "Los Vendidos," a highly comedic play. The setting is a fictional California store that sells "used Mexicans," stereotypes marketed to mainstream consumers. When a secretary from the governor's office comes to purchase a "Mexican type" for the administration, she gets much more than she bargained for.
Considered the father of Chicano theater, Luis Valdez uses satire and irony to portray how Mexican-Americans have struggled to find their identity and equality in the U.S.
"Far Away" concerns Joan, who can't sleep because of the disturbing things she's seen outside her window and the aunt who tries to explain them away. Years later, Joan is working as a hat maker and falls in love with a co-worker. The sweetness of their romance blossoms as they make extravagant creations, but the sinister purpose of the hats reveals a terrifying world in chaos where nothing is to be trusted.
"This is our sixth year presenting 'Play On,'" said Craig Rich, co-chair of the theater department. "Our students have chosen two diverse and socially relevant plays by two celebrated playwrights. We are incredibly proud of our students' dedication, achievement and artistry," Rich said.
"'Play On' allows them the opportunity to develop the skills they are learning in their classes, collaborate within a production team and realize their overall artistic vision. This invaluable theater training prepares our students to transfer to four-year theater programs and lays the foundation for them to succeed as future theater professionals."
The cast of "Los Vendidos" is Liz Hernandez of Zion, Bianca Shofner of Gurnee, Jose Marin of Highland Park, Jennifer Hinojosa and Arturo Martinez of Waukegan and Edith Graham of Libertyville.
The cast of "Far Away" is Jennifer Nelson and Emily Schneider of Lindenhurst and Jeff Brain of Antioch.
Tickets are $12 for the general public and $10 for CLC students and staff, teens and seniors 65 and older; prices include a $2 JLC facility fee. Performances on April 8 and 14 qualify for buy one, get one free tickets.
For tickets, call (847) 543-2300 or visit www.clcillinois.edu/tickets. The Box Office is open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 60 minutes before each performance at 19351 W. Washington St., Grayslake. Discounts are available for groups of 10 or more in advance.
For information, call (847) 543-2431 or email JLCgroupsales@clcillinois.edu. To request sign language interpreting, contact the Box Office at least two weeks in advance at (847) 543-2300.