Theater Program Preview
By Rachel Sell//
The new director of the Hood College Theatre Program put on a successful fall production of “Almost Maine” on Nov. 18, 19, and 20.
According to theatre program director Brian MacDonald, more students are involved in the theater minor at Hood, and those numbers were reflected in the latest production, a surrealistic romance.
“There’s more people in this show, crew and cast…than any other show done in recent past,” MacDonald said.
Two years ago the theater program director at the time, Aaron Angello, was given a stipulation: Demonstrate that there is an interest in theater at Hood or the minor would be cut. Courses are still being offered in the minor for now, but MacDonald said he doesn’t know if they will run.
However, one of the cast members of the fall show who has declared the theater minor, Kayla Swain, said that there have been many first-year students in theater classes.
“Hopefully, they will see that there’s still an interest and a love in this craft,” Swain said.
The theater program has undergone a significant amount of rebuilding, according to some of the cast members.
“Before Angello… the old director wasn’t doing shows that kids wanted to be a part of,” Swain said. “It was starting to fall apart… there wasn’t interest in the program.”
According to Swain, a better community has been built around the theater program at Hood, and MacDonald has come in and helped to continue working on what they’ve started.
“I think that [MacDonald] brings an awesome energy to this environment and makes everyone feel very welcome and happy to be here,” Swain said. “You know…things are falling apart at the seams and we’re all still smiling.”
Another student in the theater program as well as the assistant director of the fall production, Rebecca Carroll, said that MacDonald has creative ideas and is willing to think outside the box.
“He approaches the directing from an actor’s point of view… and knows how to tell actors how to do something in a way they understand,” Carroll said.
Carroll also said that he brings a stress-free environment but doesn’t compromise high standards.
The fall production of “Almost Maine” was an ensemble-based show, with everyone doing a little bit of everything. Cast members helped with transitions and crew members helped with costumes which, according to Carroll, helps create a team environment.
“I think it’s great because we all learn to work together and make everything flow the way we want it to,” Carroll said.
According to MacDonald, preparation for the show went well. “It’s my first year,” he said. “I didn’t know what to expect or who would show up… and we got everything done.”
The spring production, “The Glass Menagerie,” will be directed by Suzanne Beal.
Swain said it is a smaller show that will have fewer people in the cast, but MacDonald is thinking of getting students in the theatre practicum offered at Hood together to write one-acts. These one-acts can be strung together so that more actors can get involved in another spring production.
MacDonald said that he wants to create more opportunities for students to fill non-acting positions, like directing and tech.
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