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Calling all actors

Tidewater Community College Theatre will hold open auditions for the fall production of “Inherit the Wind.” 

When:  Sept. 6 from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre, room 4102, on the Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road. 

Callbacks: To be determined.

The story: Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee wrote “Inherit the Wind.” This lively courtroom drama dives into the 1925 Scopes “Monkey” Trial. The play is set in the town of Hillsboro and follows the trial of a young teacher, Bertram Cates, who is accused of violating state law by teaching Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution in a public school.

Two famous lawyers, Henry Drummond and Matthew Harrison Brady, represent the opposing sides. The trial becomes a clash between science and religion, modernity and tradition, and freedom of thought and dogmatic beliefs. The play explores these themes while also delving into the personal relationships and emotions of the characters involved.

The trial takes unexpected turns, challenging the beliefs of both the characters and the audience. “Inherit the Wind” raises questions about intellectual freedom, the role of religion in society, and the tensions between progress and conservatism.

Prepare:  Please prepare a one-minute monologue or one of the two sides below. All roles are open to all genders and ethnicities.

Rehearsal and show information: Rehearsals are tentatively scheduled for Monday – Thursday from 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., starting on Sept. 11 and running through Oct. 18.

The show dates are October 19-21 at 7:30 p.m. and October 22 at 2 p.m. and October 26-28 at 7:30 p.m. In addition, Sept. 11 will be the read from 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. You must be available for all the show dates and rehearsals.

Sides:

Rachel – I remember feeling this way when I was a little girl. I would wake up at night, terrified of the dark. I’d think sometimes that my bed was on the ceiling, and the whole house was upside down; and if I didn’t hang onto the mattress, I might fall outward into the stars.   I wanted to run to my father, and have him tell me I was safe, that everything was all right. But I was always more frightened of him than I was of falling. It’s the same way now.

Hornbeck – Matthew Harrison Brady died of a busted belly. You know what I thought of him, and I know what you thought. Let us leave the lamentations to the illiterate. Why should we weep for him? He cried enough for himself. The national tear-duct from Weeping Water, Nebraska, who flooded the whole nation like a one-man Mississippi. How do you write an obituary for a man who has been dead for thirty years?

If you have any questions, please contact Matthew Gorris at mgorris@tcc.edu.

Shakespeare in the Grove – by the numbers

Join Tidewater Community College for the 26th Shakespeare in the Grove on June 21-25 at 8 p.m.

For the first time, this year’s production features a non-Shakespeare work. Get ready for “Tartuffe” by Molèire, who has often been described as “France’s Shakespeare” due to the two playwrights’ similar writing styles. “Tartuffe” is a play about a fraud and a pious imposter.

The production takes place at the outdoor theater on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, located at 1428 Cedar Road. The Kiwanis Club of Chesapeake will be selling some of your favorite summertime food and drink, but feel free to bring a picnic basket and lawn chairs to enjoy the show.

In addition to tickets being zero dollars, here is a list of Shakespeare in the Grove by the numbers!

Part of the cast for this year’s Grove production of “Tartuffe” by Molèire. (Photo by Katelyn Delaney)

1: For the first time in the history of Shakespeare in the Grove, TCC Theater is performing a play that was not written by Shakespeare.

4: There are four veteran actors in the show who have previously acted in productions of Shakespeare in the Grove.

5: There are five veteran technicians and crew members returning to set the scene.

7: There are seven TCC students in the cast and crew this year.

6/12: Actors have rehearsed since May 15 four nights a week, three hours each evening. Rehearsals move outdoors on June 12. Until then, actors are in the Black Box Theater on the Chesapeake Campus.

14: Fourteen different Shakespearean plays have been performed by Shakespeare in the Grove over the past 25 years.

19: During the COVID-19 pandemic, TCC was able to continue the tradition by performing radio plays. These radio plays were streamed online for the audience.

26: Bugs, noise, humidity and rain showers are all the trimmings that come along with 26 years of Shakespeare in the Grove.

For more information, contact Matthew Gorris at mgorris@tcc.edu or 757-822-5219. For current show information, including any cancellations, follow us on Facebook and Instagram and search for TCC Theatre.

Molière’s “Tartuffe” to be presented during the 26th season of Shakespeare in the Grove

Tidewater Community College Theatre celebrates its 26th season of Shakespeare in the Grove with the production of the comedy “Tartuffe” by French playwright, Molière. This is the first time that the outdoor festival has featured a non-Shakespeare play.

“We are turning a new page with Shakespeare in the Grove and presenting a work by a playwright who came on the scene shortly after Shakespeare,” said TCC Professor Matthew Gorris, director of this year’s Shakespeare in the Grove. “We’re thrilled to offer this community event once again, as it’s become a local gem. There’s absolutely nothing else like it in the area.”

The free public performances will be held June 21-25, starting at 8 p.m., weather permitting.

This year’s production will take center stage on the Grove stage, located behind the Pass building on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road. A cast and crew of more than 25 students and veteran actors will bring this popular Molière play to life.

“Othello” presented in 2012
“The Tempest” from 2022
“Twelfth Night or What you Will” presented in 2021

Shakespeare in the Grove got its start with a “passion and a plank” according to founder Ed Jacob, the faculty member with the idea to launch outdoor theatre on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus with its grove of trees and open spaces. What started in 1996 with four platforms to perform on, a limited budget, scenery and simple costumes has grown into a professional production with a full stage, vibrant costumes, lights and plenty of technical support.

“Tartuffe” takes place in the home of the wealthy Orgon family, where Tartuffe—a fraud and a pious imposter—has insinuated himself. He succeeds magnificently in winning the respect and devotion of the head of the house and then tries to marry his daughter and seduce his wife and scrounge the deed to the property. He nearly gets away with it, but an emissary from King Louis XIV arrives in time to recover the property, free Monsieur Orgon, and haul Tartuffe off to jail.

In the play, Tartuffe’s duplicity is finally exposed and punished. But not before the author has mercilessly examined the evil that men can commit in the guise of religious fervor and the dangers that imperil those who would believe only what they choose to believe despite a mountain of evidence to the contrary.

Shakespeare in the Grove is sponsored by TCC and the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner; insect repellent is also recommended. Also, the Kiwanis Club of Chesapeake will be on-site selling concessions.

For more information, contact Matthew Gorris at mgorris@tcc.edu or 757-822-5219. For current show information, including any cancellations, follow us on Facebook and Instagram and search for TCC Theatre.

Small town charm on tap for TCC’s spring production of “Steel Magnolias”

Tidewater Community College Theatre will present “Steel Magnolias” for three weekends in April. Opening night is on April 13 with shows running through April 29.

All performances will be held in the Black Box Theater in the Academic Building on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road.

“Steel Magnolias” is a stage play by American writer Robert Harling. It is a comedy-drama about the bond among a group of Southern women in northwest Louisiana. The title suggests the female characters are as delicate as magnolias but as tough as steel.

Lisa Kearns playing M’Lynn and Sydney Powell as Annelle.
Kearns playing M’Lynn and Catherine Gendell as Truvy.

TCC Theatre’s “Steel Magnolias” is set in a small-town beauty shop on the wedding day of one of its favorite patrons, Shelby Eatenton.

Shelby, a young and pretty diabetic, enjoys sharing her excitement with the other woman who meet regularly to chat and gossip about men, marriage and the latest hairstyles. The women form a sense of community that is both warmly good-natured and delightfully real.

Performance dates and times are:

  • April 13-15 at 7:30 p.m.
  • April 16 at 2 p.m.
  • April 20-22 at 7:30 p.m.
  • April 23 at 2 p.m.
  • April 27-29 at 7:30 p.m.

The play is a community effort with TCC students and community members serving as cast and crew. All are dedicated to sharing live theatre with attendees.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for students, seniors, alumni and military members. Payment is by cash or credit card at the door. The box office opens 45 minutes prior to show time. To purchase tickets online, visit https://tidewater.universitytickets.com.

For more information, call Matthew Gorris, assistant professor of Theatre Arts, at 757-822-5219.

Calling all actors

It’s time to get ready for Shakespeare in the Grove.

Tidewater Community College and the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission are presenting Shakespeare’s “Tartuffe” and open auditions are available for cast members.

Actors who would like to be part of the summer festival can attend:

  • Auditions – Saturday, April 8 from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre in the Academic Building on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road.
  • Callbacks (if needed): will take place on Saturday, April 15 from 10 a.m. – noon. in the Black Box Theatre in the Academic Building on Chesapeake Campus.

The story of “Tartuffe:” The play takes place in the home of the wealthy Orgon, where Tartuffe—a fraud and a pious imposter—has insinuated himself. He succeeds magnificently in winning the respect and devotion of the head of the house and then tries to marry his daughter and seduce his wife and scrounge the deed to the property. He nearly gets away with it, but an emissary from King Louis XIV arrives in time to recover the property, free Monsieur Orgon, and haul Tartuffe off to jail. And so his duplicity is finally exposed and punished. But not before the author has mercilessly examined the evil that men can commit in the guise of religious fervor and the dangers that imperil those who would believe only what they choose to believe despite a mountain of evidence to the contrary.

Cast and Preparation:  Twelve roles are open to all genders and ethnicity. Please prepare a 1–2-minute monologue that shows your range.  The monologue does not need to be from “Tartuffe” and please no accents. 

Rehearsals and Show Information: A read-through will be held on Thursday, May 4 from 7 – 10 p.m. Rehearsals begin Monday, May 8 from 7 – 10 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre. Rehearsals are tentatively scheduled from May 8 – June 20, Monday – Thursday from 7-10 p.m. 

Production Dates:  Shakespeare in the Grove and the story of “Tartuffe” will be presented Wednesday, June 21 – Sunday, June 25 at 8 p.m., weather permitting.

This is an open call, so come anytime between 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. on April 8, and showcase your talents. If you have any additional questions, please contact Matthew Gorris at mgorris@tcc.edu.

TCC to hold open auditions for “Steel Magnolias” on Feb 22 and 23

Tidewater Community College’s Theatre Department will hold open auditions for “Steel Magnolias,” this year’s spring production.

Auditions will be on Feb. 22 and Feb. 23 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. in the Black Box Theatre in the Academic Building on the Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road.

Each audition will take about five minutes, and roles are available for 6 actors and several understudies. Actors should prepare a one-to-two-minute contemporary monologue that shows their range. Participants are encouraged not to use any accents. 

Rehearsals will begin March 13 and will run Monday – Thursday from 7 p.m. -10 p.m.

The show debuts on April 13 and runs through April 29th. Evening shows and Saturday matinees will be held.

“Steel Magnolias” is set in Truvy’s beauty salon in Chinquapin, Louisiana, where all the ladies who are anybody come to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle, the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoos and free advice to the women of the town. The play moves toward tragedy when, in the second act, the spunky Shelby (who is a diabetic) risks pregnancy and forfeits her life. The sudden realization of their mortality affects the others, but also draws on the underlying strength—and love—which gives the play, and its characters, the special quality to make them truly touching, funny and marvelously amiable company in good times and bad.

The cast for “Steel Magnolias” includes:

*Truvy – 40ish and owner of the beauty shop
*Annelle – 19 and beauty shop assistant
*Clairee – 66ish and widow of the former mayor, Grand Dame
*Shelby – 25 and the prettiest woman in town
*M’Lynn – 50ish and Shelby’s mother
*Ouiser – 66ish and a wealthy curmudgeon

To secure your audition time, and receive your audition packet, please email Heather Williams, stage manager, at hwilliamsphotog83@gmail.com. Please include a headshot, resume and any date conflicts you may have.  Preference will be given to actresses with the fewest conflicts. 

To express an interest in a technical position and for more information about TCC’s Associate of Applied Science in Theatre Arts, contact Professor Matthew Gorris at 757-822-7041 or mgorris@tcc.edu.

TCC Theatre presents “Leaving Iowa,” a story of going home and moving forward

Tidewater Community College Theatre will present “Leaving Iowa” for two weekends in November. Opening night is on Nov. 3 with shows running through Nov. 12.

All performances will be held in the Black Box Theater in the Academic Building on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road.

“Leaving Iowa” revolves around Don Browning, a middle-aged writer, who returns home and decides to finally take his father’s ashes to his childhood home, as requested. But when Don discovers Grandma’s house is now a grocery store, he begins traveling across Iowa searching for a proper resting place for his father.

This father-and-son road trip in “Leaving Iowa” shifts smoothly from the present to Don’s memories of the annual, torturous vacations of his childhood. Don’s existential journey leads him to reconcile his past and present at the center of the United States. “Leaving Iowa” is a postcard to those who have ever found themselves driving alone on a road, revisiting fond memories of their youth. 

Performance dates and times are:

Nov. 3-5 at 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 6 at 2 p.m.

Nov. 10-12 at 7:30 p.m.

The play is a community effort with TCC students and community members serving as cast and crew. All are dedicated to sharing live theatre with attendees.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, seniors, alumni and military members. Payment is by cash or credit card at the door. The box office opens 45 minutes prior to show time.

To purchase tickets online, visit https://tidewater.universitytickets.com.

For more information, call Matthew Gorris, assistant professor of theatre arts, at 757-822-5219.

TCC celebrates the 25th anniversary of Shakespeare in the Grove with “The Tempest”

Tidewater Community College Theatre celebrates its 25th season of Shakespeare in the Grove with a magical and mesmerizing presentation of “The Tempest.”

The free public performances will be held June 22-26, starting at 8 p.m., weather permitting. For those in the Deaf community who would like to enjoy the show, American Sign Language interpreters will be interpreting the June 26 performance.

This year’s production will take center stage on the Grove stage, located behind the Pass building on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road. A cast and crew of more than 35 student and veteran actors will bring this popular Shakespeare play to life.

Actors rehearsing “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in 2013.

Shakespeare in the Grove got its start with a “passion and a plank” according to founder Ed Jacob, the faculty member with the idea to launch outdoor theatre on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus with its grove of trees and open spaces. What started in 1996 with four platforms to perform on, a limited budget, scenery and simple costumes has grown into a professional production with a full stage, vibrant costumes, lights and plenty of technical support.

“People enjoy the atmosphere of Shakespeare under the stars. It’s summer. It’s a free event. And there’s something about being outside and hearing that old, romantic sort of verse and enjoying a picnic,” said Matthew Gorris, TCC Theatre faculty lead and artistic director.

Actors perfom”Othello” in 2018.

Shakespeare in the Grove plays are pared down to roughly two hours.

In “The Tempest” the main character Prospero uses magic to conjure a storm and torment the survivors of a shipwreck, including the King of Naples and Prospero’s treacherous brother, Antonio. Conflict ensues but in the end, families are reunited and all conflict is resolved. TCC’s version of the play takes on magical elements, with an untouched island setting, complete with sprites to entertain and monsters to mesmerize.

“`The Tempest’ is a story of redemption and celebration that is especially fitting after the pandemic,” said director Trey Clarkson. “Our story is a celebration with live music, live dance and magic to fill the air as we commemorate 25 years of Shakespeare in the Grove.”

“Shakespeare in the Grove at TCC is a local gem – there’s absolutely nothing like it in the area,” added Gorris.

Actors from “Twelfth Night or What You Will” in 2021.
Performance of “As You Like It” in 2010.

Shakespeare in the Grove is sponsored by TCC and the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner; insect repellent is also recommended.

For more information, contact Matthew Gorris at mgorris@tcc.edu or 757-822-5219.

Founder Ed Jacob at the opening night of “The Taming of the Shrew” in 2004.
Getting ready to perform “Hamlet” in 2012.

Tidewater Community College presents “Love’s Labor’s Lost” this weekend

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Shakespeare in the Grove to be held in June, Tidewater Community College is presenting a mini-play to build excitement for the main event.

This weekend, the community is invited to enjoy a Shakespeare comedy, “Love’s Labor’s Lost” on three evenings, May 20, 21 and 22, from 7 – 8 p.m.

TCC Theatre’s version of “Love’s Labor’s Lost” is a condensed, one-hour comic journey that includes 12 actors, limited props and staging, and the natural light coming from the sun.

The play starts with a royal proclamation as four young men (one of them a king) withdraw from the world for three years, taking an oath that they will have nothing to do with women. But when the Princess of France and her three ladies arrive on a political matter, those vows are tossed aside and the men are tossed head over heels in love. Nature wins out as they learn the most important lesson of all – to follow the heart, not the head.

The play will be presented in the original grove location next to the TCC’s parking garage on the Chesapeake Campus, weather permitting.

This event is free and open to the community and families are encouraged to attend. Bring your chairs, bug spray and a picnic basket to enjoy the show. Parking is available in the TCC’s parking garage.

For more information email Matt Gorris, TCC Theatre professor, at mgorris@tcc.edu.

TCC Theatre presents Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice,” April 8-16

For the first time since the start of the pandemic, Tidewater Community College is offering the community live theatre in its Black Box Theater on Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road.

TCC Theatre brings “The Merchant of Venice” to the stage for six performances, April 8-16.

As in the original production, “The Merchant of Venice” features a merchant in Venice named Antonio who defaults on a large loan provided by a Jewish moneylender, Shylock. 

Merchant of Venice cast in high school outfits.

TCC’s version of the play is a one-hour production that brings Shakespeare’s 16th-century work into the modern world. It is set in a high school, and the classic characters become students who struggle with and create, the bigotry, bullying and cycles of violence that are as tragic and timeless as Shakespeare’s immortal words.

Directed by Logan Bennett, the world portrayed on stage at TCC uses cryptocurrency, while texting is lingua franca, and the characters’ use of social media adds layers to the story.

Performance dates and times are:
April 8-9 at 7:30 p.m.
April 10 at 2 p.m.
April 14-16 at 7:30 p.m.

All seats are $10 for general admission. To purchase your tickets visit https://tidewater.universitytickets.com/w/event.aspx?SeriesID=6

Tickets will also be available for purchase in the theater lobby starting one hour before each performance, with cash and all credit cards accepted. Seating is limited. To make sure you get a seat, reserve your tickets in advance.

***Please note that this production of “The Merchant of Venice,” like the play as originally performed, carries stark and disturbing themes of social injustice that include racism, bigotry, and anti-Semitism that may not be appropriate for those sensitive to such subjects, or for young children.***

For questions about the production please call 757-822-5219.

TCC Theatre presents ShakesFeare in the Grave “The Tragedy of Macbeth”

Tidewater Community College Theatre department presents ShakesFeare in the Grave “The Tragedy of Macbeth” on Friday, Nov. 5 and Saturday, November 6 at 7:30 p.m. at the Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road.

The play is a condensed, one-hour, production and will take place on the Black Box Theater patio, outside the Chesapeake Academic Building, weather permitting.

The play begins with a Scottish lord, Macbeth, becoming convinced by a trio of witches that he will become the next king of Scotland. His ambitious wife supports his plans of seizing power. Macbeth kills the king and becomes the new king and kills more people out of paranoia. The result is a civil war erupting to overthrow Macbeth.

Guests are invited to enjoy open seating on a first-come, first-serve basis. The show is “pay what you can” and everyone is welcome. For more information, email Matt Gorris, assistant professor of Theatre at mgorris@tcc.edu.

Shakespeare in the Grove returns to Chesapeake Campus, June 23-27

Tidewater Community College’s Shakespeare in the Grove is back after a hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are thrilled to be back with this community gem that welcomes hundreds to the Chesapeake Campus for an evening of theatre under the stars,” said Kelly Gillerlain, dean of Chesapeake Campus. “This family-friendly event is a great way to get outside and enjoy a warm summer night.”

Mistaken identities, romance, revelry and hijinks abound in Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night or What you Will” on stage at TCC’s 24th Shakespeare in the Grove.

“Twelfth Night” actors Cai Luzak (Sebastian), Isabella Wisham (Viola), Alina Grace Whitmore (Orsino) and Michelle Jenkins (Olivia).

Sponsored by TCC and the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission, Shakespeare in the Grove includes free, outdoor public performances to be held June 23-27, starting at 8 p.m., weather permitting.

“Twelfth Night or What You Will” is set on the rum-soaked streets of Port Royal in 1692. Pirates, aristocrats and peasants mingle together, making for a raucous comedy.  In the plot, Viola loves Orsino, who loves Olivia, who loves Cesario, who is actually Viola! This topsy-turvy play features live music and a festive atmosphere, making for a fun-filled adventure on stage.

This is the fifth production at the new outdoor “grove” platform, located behind the Pass Building on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road. A cast and crew of more than 20 student and veteran actors and 15 technicians will bring the Bard’s wild comedy to life.

Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner. Insect repellent is also recommended.

Refreshments can also be purchased on-site from the Kiwanis Club of Chesapeake. Offerings include popcorn, ice cream, burgers, sodas and more.

Tickets are not required and the community is encouraged to attend. Due to the need for social distancing, seating for this event is limited.

For more information, contact Matthew Gorris at mgorris@tcc.edu or 757-822-5219.

Swashbuckling adventure on tap for TCC Theatre radio show

Tidewater Community College presents Quarantine Radio Theatre: “A Princess of Mars” on April 16 for two shows at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m.

The performance is free and open to the public and will be streamed via Facebook on the TCC Theatre Livestreams page.  

“The virtual radio format gives us an unlimited canvas with which to tell the types of stories we usually couldn’t,” said director Logan Bennett. “I think it will be something new and exciting that the audience will not be expecting.”

The live radio play will be performed in the Black Box Theater on the Chesapeake Campus. The approximate running time is 85 minutes.

“A Princess of Mars” tells the tale of John Carter, a civil war veteran mysteriously transported to the planet Mars. On this dying, warlike planet he meets a bevy of bizarre creatures, falls in love with a beautiful princess, fights in epic battles, and sacrifices all to save the planet from final annihilation. This swashbuckling adventure, written by Edgar Rice Burroughs in 1912, showcases Carter, the original superhero that inspired Superman, Star Wars, Flash Gordon, and Avatar.

“While we miss performing for a live audience, we see benefits to the radio format as actors learn to convey all the information and physicality through voice alone,” added Bennett. “The audience isn’t limited by a single set or lighting design. They fill in the world with their own imagination. They become an active collaborator in the story. It will be a unique and individual experience, and that can be difficult to achieve in a normal live performance.”

For more information about the play or TCC Theatre, email Assistant Professor Matt Gorris at mgorris@tcc.edu.

TCC invites the community to be part of unique arts, theater, music programming

Arts and theater faculty at Tidewater Community College will connect students and Hampton Roads residents this fall with diverse, eclectic programming that caters to the times.

The series, “my thoughts. my voice. my art,” explores themes of diversity, adversity, inequality, social justice and empowerment during a time of social change.

“Think about the impact of what is going on in their world right now,” said Kerry Ragno, dean of TCC’s Arts and Humanities pathway. “We wanted to give our students and the community a productive forum to engage.”

Events — all virtual, free and open to the public — include a live play, lectures, dance demonstrations, an art show and a twist on Shakespeare in the Gove. The annual outdoor festival was canceled this year due to COVID-19, but TCC Theatre will present the Bard’s play “Measure for Measure” in a radio format that will be broadcast on the college’s Facebook page.

The series kicks off from the TCC Roper Performing Arts Center on Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. Terrance Afer-Anderson’s award-winning play “Cast in History,” originally commissioned by the City of Norfolk as a tribute to the city’s African-American history, will be broadcast live on YouTube. TCC students auditioned for roles that were also open to community members. A Q&A featuring the actors and artists will follow the play.

Registration for all events can be found at tcc.edu/arts.

The offerings:

Cast in History Film Premier and Live Artists Talk-back, a YouTube live event from the Roper Performing Arts Center, Sept. 28, 7-11 p.m.

A sometimes humorous, sometimes poignant series of monologues written by Norfolk native and filmmaker Afer-Anderson, an impassioned advocate for the elimination of health disparities. Sign up for free tickets.

Pungo Art Contest, Oct. 1 deadline for submissions

Our sense of community is being redefined as we seek connection from a distance. What does it look like when we are forced to change our perception of human relationships with others and with ourselves? Student submissions only, which should reflect this theme.

Zines, Then & Now by former TCC instructor Janice Pang, Oct. 14, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

What are zines? Pang will walk students through the process to create a zine (short for magazine) with everyday household items. Making a zine (pronounced “zeen”) relates to self-expression and creativity. On Zoom.

Maria Nieves and the TCC Jazz Ensemble, Oct. 15, noon-1 p.m.

A live salsa demonstration and poetry reading featuring the TCC alumna. Event is in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month. On Zoom.

Italians in America, Oct. 20, noon-1 p.m.

Illustrated lecture of the history of the Italian migration to the United States. Includes tradition, entertainment, cuisine. Gabriel Matte and Ilaria De Santis are presenters. On Zoom.

Real talk: My Voting Voice, an open debate, Oct. 27, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

One week before the election, explore the context with TCC professors Rick Alley and Doug Thiele. Debate will center on guaranteed free and open elections based on closed polling sites, restricted access to voting and the recent removal of federal mailboxes and sorting machines. On Zoom.

Quarantine Radio Theatre: Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure,” Nov. 12, 7 and 9 p.m.

TCC Theatre presents a one-hour radio production of Shakespeare’s play “Measure for Measure.” Broadcast via TCC’s Facebook page.

Channelmarker deadline, Nov. 1

TCC students are encouraged to submit their creative writing to the annual literary anthology. Selected authors can read their work during the TCC Literary Festival in the spring.

Reshaping bronze & stone: How artists are responding to public monuments, Nov. 10, noon-1 p.m.

TCC art history instructor Nancy Pettigrew will explore the history of monuments in Virginia and the way artists are responding in this illustrated lecture. Student discussion will follow. On Zoom.

Native American Heritage Month, Nov. 12, noon-1 p.m.

Learn about the past and present culture, language and history of the six federally recognized tribes of indigenous people in the Commonwealth. In recognition of Native American Heritage Month. On Zoom.

Award-winning “Doubt: A Parable” presented by TCC Theatre

TCC Theatre presents the Tony Award-winning play “Doubt: A Parable” for seven shows in late February and early March.

All performances will be held in the Black Box Theater in the Academic Building on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road.

“Doubt,” a 2004 play by American playwright John Patrick Shanley, is set in a fictional school in the Bronx. In this powerful work, school principal Sister Aloysius takes matters into her own hands when she suspects the parish priest, Father Flynn, of improper relations with a young student.

Winner of the 2005 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award, “Doubt” is a gripping story that is less about scandal and more about the nuanced questions of moral certainty.

Performance dates are:

  • Feb. 27-29 at 7:30 p.m.
  • March 1 at 2 p.m.
  • March 4-6 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, seniors, alumni and military members. Payment is by cash or checks at the door. The box office opens 45 minutes prior to show time.

Tickets can be purchased with a credit card at the Chesapeake Campus Business Office in the Pass Building during regular business hours.

Reserve tickets by calling 757-822-5219 or emailing Professor Matthew Gorris at mgorris@tcc.edu. 

Holiday-themed play “The Seafarer” to be presented by TCC Theatre in December

Set on Christmas Eve, “The Seafarer” comes to life on stage at Tidewater Community College for two weekends in December.

All performances will be held in the Black Box Theater in the Academic Building on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road.

“The Seafarer,” a 2006 play by Irish playwright Conor McPherson, is set in a coastal suburb north of Dublin.

The play centers on James “Sharky” Harkin, an alcoholic who has returned to live with his blind, aging brother. Drinking buddies Ivan and Nicky are holed up at the house too, hoping to play some cards. But with the arrival of a stranger from the distant past, the stakes are raised ever higher.

This play contains adult language and situations. No one under 13 will be permitted entry.

Performance dates are:

  • Dec. 4-7 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Dec. 8 at 2 p.m.
  • Dec. 11-13 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, seniors, alumni and military members. Payment is by cash or check at the door. The box office opens 45 minutes prior to show time.

Tickets can be purchased with a credit card at the Chesapeake Campus Business Office in the Pass Building during regular business hours.

Reserve tickets by calling 757-822-5219 or emailing Professor Matthew Gorris at mgorris@tcc.edu.  The tickets will be waiting at the box office the night of the show.

For more information, visit https://www.tcc.edu/about-tcc/arts-tcc/.

TCC Theatre brings “Animal Farm” to the stage for two weekends in November

Tidewater Community College Theatre will present “Animal Farm” for two weekends in November.

All performances will be held in the Black Box Theater in the Academic Building on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road.

“Animal Farm” is a satire with a sting, adapted for the stage by Nelson Bond from the allegorical novel by George Orwell. Led by three pigs, the disgruntled animals overthrow their human owner, take control of the farm and create a new society where “All animals are equal.” The pigs take charge, but soon the new society becomes corrupt

Intermingling humor and drama, “Animal Farm” leaves audiences shaken with the tale of a tragedy that happened in a mythical barnyard far away but could happen in our own backyard.

Performance dates are:

  • Nov. 7-9 at 7:30 p.m.
  • Nov. 10 at 2 p.m.
  • Nov. 14-16 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, seniors, alumni and military members. Payment is by cash or check at the door. The box office opens 45 minutes prior to show time.

Tickets can be purchased with a credit card at the Chesapeake Campus Business Office in the Pass Building during normal business hours.

For more information, email Matthew Gorris, assistant professor of theatre arts, at mgorris@tcc.edu or visit https://www.tcc.edu/about-tcc/arts-tcc/.

One week until the greatest show on earth comes to Chesapeake

We’re one week away from opening night for Shakespeare in the Grove, featuring “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Called a community treasure, Shakespeare in the Grove presented by Tidewater Community College and the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission is in its 23rd year.

Join us for free, outdoor public performances from June 26-30, starting at 8 p.m., weather permitting on the “Grove” stage on the Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes conversation with the director and some of the actors.

Taylor Durham as Helena with Nick Nauert as Demetrius.
Taylor Durham as Helena with Nick Nauert as Demetrius.

A word from director Trey Clarkson:

“Shakespeare in the Grove is a Chesapeake tradition and the largest production on the Southside. I’m always excited to bring together talented actors from all over the 757 to put on a show in our own backyard. I have been with the ‘Grove’ since the very first show. As we enter the 23rd season we return to ‘Midsummer’ with a big-top circus design. On the heels of the film ‘The Greatest Showman’ and the release of ‘Dumbo,’ as well as the death of Barnum and Bailey in 2017,  the nostalgia of the circus is the perfect setting for the magic and mayhem of this Shakespeare comedy.”

Why should people come to Shakespeare in the Grove?

 “It’s fun! It’s free! And it’s a great way to get family, friends and everyone outside, under the stars, for outdoor theater. It really is the greatest show in Chesapeake.” –  Chris Bernhardt, playing Theresa Snout and Wall

How do you make Shakespeare understandable for today’s audience? 

Logan Bennett playing Bottom.

 “Mostly, you just have to communicate with people. The language can seem dense at first, but once your ear gets used to it, you can easily understand what’s happening on stage. We also do so much physically, that we could almost do it in mime and you’d still catch on to the show. The quality of the play is what makes this timeless classic still relevant today.” – Logan Bennett, playing Nick Bottom and Pyramus

What about millennials?

 “Shakespeare really is for everyone. Especially when you look at the universal themes presented, including love and chasing your dreams.” – Sylvie Green, playing Patty Quince

This year’s theme is the circus – why does it work?

“Adapting Shakespeare to different time periods and themes is a common practice, but it’s difficult to do well. Somehow, every year we figure out how to make it work. ‘Midsummer’ seems to fit the circus theme so well with all of the crazy characters, the magical things that happen, with the character changes and people running away to join the circus, it all just makes sense, and you’d think it was the original.”  – Patrick Rostock, playing Francis Flute and Thisbe

Zoe Thompson (ensemble), with Sylvie Green as Quince, Bennett as Bottom, Patrick Rostock at Flute, Chris Bernhardt as Egeus and Tristan Hicks as Starveling and Olivia Madrid (ensemble).

How difficult is it to learn lines? 

 “It depends on person to person how difficult it is to learn lines. But with this show, it’s a lot of poetry, so it flows really nicely, and I think it’s really easy to remember your part.” – Noëlle Peterson, playing Hermia

On being the tallest man  

 “This has been the most difficult role I’ve ever played. I’ve had to learn unique skills, like walking on stilts, and it’s been a big learning curve acting while being 10 feet tall! – Tristan Hicks, playing the Tallest Man and Moonshine

Challenges of outdoor theater?

 “The hardest part is definitely projecting your voice over a very long distance, especially when it’s really humid! And sound interruptions and the weather, of course!” – Andreas Zollos, playing Lysander

What makes Shakespeare in the Grove special?  

Cast members accept a donation from Terri Anderson (left) with the Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce.

 “This is a really high-quality show. The director and actors and technicians are hard working and good at what they do. We can get away with a pretty short rehearsal schedule because we’re all dedicated and give our all in every rehearsal and performance.” – Sylvie Green

“The professionalism, as far as community theater goes, is top notch. This is the only place I’ve been that they hold you to a professional standard. Every TCC show I’ve been a part of, people are really pushing their limits to put on the best show possible.” – Logan Bennett

Enjoy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” under the stars at TCC’s Shakespeare in the Grove

A big-top circus design is the backdrop for the classic tale “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” on stage at Tidewater Community College’s 23nd Shakespeare in the Grove.

Free, outdoor public performances will be held June 26-30, starting at 8 p.m., weather permitting.

Get a sneak peek of the play with a one-act performance at the community event “Food Trucks on the Square” on June 12, located behind Chesapeake City Hall at 306 Cedar Road.

Actors prepare for Shakespeare in the Grove
Zollos and Peterson rehearse their roles.

TCC’s version of the play is set under the big top with residents of Athens mixing with fairies from a local forest, with comic results. In the city, Theseus, duke of Athens, is to marry Hippolyta, queen of the Amazons.

Actors prepare to perform "A Midsummer Night's Dream."
Nauert and Durham prepare for Shakespeare in the Grove

“I’m always excited to bring together talented actors from across the 757 to put on a show in our own backyard,” said Trey Clarkson, director of this year’s grove production. “On the heels of ‘The Greatest Showman’ and ‘Dumbo’ and with the closing of Barnum and Bailey after a 146-year run, the nostalgia of the circus is the perfect setting for the magic and mayhem of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ ”

This is the fourth production at the new outdoor “grove” platform, located behind the Pass Building on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road. A cast and crew of more than 25 student and veteran actors and 15 technicians will bring the Bard’s comedy to life.

TCC and the Chesapeake Fine Arts Commission sponsor Shakespeare in the Grove. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and a picnic dinner. Insect repellent is also recommended. Tickets are not required.

For more information, contact Matthew Gorris at mgorris@tcc.edu or 757-822-5219.

TCC Theatre presents the premiere of “That Sinking Feeling,” April 5

Tidewater Community College Theatre will present “That Sinking Feeling,” a play by Brant Powell, for two weekends in April.

All performances will be held in the Black Box Theatre in the Academic Building on TCC’s Chesapeake Campus, 1428 Cedar Road.

The story begins after the Titanic strikes an iceberg. A cast of eclectic personalities must navigate life, death and undeath when they discover their respective lifeboats are beset by madcap disasters. As the ship sinks, facts descend into fiction and reality descends into absurdity, but the truth is never far from the surface.

Performance dates are:

  • April 5-6 at 7:30 p.m.
  • April 7 at 2 p.m.
  • April 11-13 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students, seniors, alumni and military members. Payment is by cash or check at the door. The box office opens 45 minutes prior to show time.

Tickets can be purchased with a credit card at the Chesapeake Campus Business Office in the Pass Building during normal business hours.

For more information, call 757-822-5219 or email Matthew Gorris, assistant professor of theatre arts, at mgorris@tcc.edu.