TCC ROPER PERFORMING ARTS CENTER CLOSES FOR UPCOMING STUDY

Tidewater Community College has proudly welcomed the community through the doors of the Jeanne and George Roper Performing Arts Center for decades to witness local and national arts attractions, including live music and theatre, and even celebrated TCC events and graduations.

Beginning December 2024, TCC will conduct a structural feasibility study of the Roper Theater to evaluate necessary renovations. During this time, the theater will be temporarily closed while we await the study’s results. TCC will honor all existing contracts for theater use through December 2024. Please note that this study will not impact classes currently taking place in the Roper Center.

Built in 1926, the state-owned center, in the heart of TCC’s Norfolk campus, was originally the Loews State Theater on Granby. The building was restored by TCC in 2001, with support from George W. Roper II, as a state-of-the-art performance venue. The Theatre, within the Roper Center, has provided TCC with an opportunity to support our community and the growth and exploration of the arts in Hampton Roads.

The playhouse was designed by acclaimed architect Thomas W. Lamb. Responsible for more than 400 designs worldwide, Lamb was likely the most prolific theater architect in history and arguably the progenitor of the Movie Palace architectural style. Reproductions of his firm’s original drawings—captivating works of art in their own right—are displayed in the Roper lobby. The nearly 100-year-old theater is a cultural landmark in the region, recognized by the Virginia Department of Historical Resources and the National Register of Historic Places, and is one of the few opulent 1920s theaters still operating nationwide.

Dubbed the city’s new “Million Dollar Dandy,” the Loew’s debuted on May 10, 1926, offering a lavish setting complete with gilded box seats, stained glass chandeliers, and an advanced air conditioning system that used electric fans to blow the humid ocean air over massive blocks of ice. At the time, Vaudeville—a variety show format featuring singers, comedians, acrobats, and other performers—reigned as the dominant form of American entertainment. For just 35 cents, audiences could catch the latest silent film, enjoy a variety of live Vaudeville acts, sing along with the “Mighty Wurlitzer” organ, and be serenaded by the theater’s own orchestra. But as the technology for adding music and dialog to Hollywood movies developed, America’s interest in Vaudeville waned, and eventually the spotlights were replaced by the Technicolor glow of the screen. As the decades rolled by, the elegant theater continued to entertain generations of moviegoers in high style but, like many American downtown districts, gradually fell into disrepair. After its projectors flickered for the last time in 1979, the theater remained dark for over 20 years.

In 1997, Tidewater Community College acquired the historic, though badly deteriorated, building as part of its new downtown Norfolk campus. After extensive restoration, the theater reopened in 2001 as the Jeanne and George Roper Performing Arts Center, earning praise from The Virginian-Pilot as “a cathedral to the past.” The center’s mission was to serve as both an elegant academic venue and a state-of-the-art theater presenting local, national, and international performing artists.

“We’ve had the honor of hosting numerous world-renowned performers on our stage,” said Paul Lasakow, director of the Roper Center. “Because of the theater’s extraordinary capabilities, it has been our honor to present artists that rarely appear in a market like Hampton Roads, let alone in such a small theater by modern standards. The Royal Shakespeare Company, Midori, Joshua Bell, Juga Wang, Art Garfunkel, Bonnie Raitt, Chick Corea, and the Emerson String Quartet have all performed here, to name just a few. But perhaps the most rewarding, and humbling, part of my job was to follow young performers, who honed their craft on the Roper’s stage, go on to star on Broadway, London’s East End, or in film and television.”

TCC will continue to update the community when additional information from the study becomes available.

TCC invites the community to be part of unique music, visual arts, theatre and humanities programming

Arts, theatre and humanities faculty and staff at Tidewater Community College, along with local and regional artists and professionals, will connect students and Hampton Roads residents to diverse, eclectic and engaging programming that speaks to the times in which we live.

“Giving students and the community a place to engage during these times is vital,” said Kerry Ragno, Ed.D., dean of TCC’s Arts and Humanities pathway. “We’re delighted that since its inception last fall, the series is connecting people through the arts with topics that are relevant to all of our lives.”

The events — all virtual, free and open to the public — include a panel discussion on empathy; an artists’ showcase featuring performances from students and local actors and singers; monologues exploring topics and issues relevant today; and in-depth conversations with artists about their work.

The series kicks off Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. with Health Equity, Inclusion, and the African American Community.

Details for all events can be found at the TCC Roper Performing Arts Center’s Website.

The offerings:

Health Equity, Inclusion and the African American Community, YouTube live, Feb. 21, 4-6 p.m. View here.

Award-winning filmmaker and health advocate and educator Terrance Afer-Anderson will screen excerpts from “The Black Walnut,” his film about the alarming prostate cancer disparity impacting African American men. Afer-Anderson will lead a panel discussion on health equity issues in the Black Community. Get involved and submit questions and comments via the YouTube comments window.

Empathy Matters, set for Feb. 23 from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m., was inspired by questions posed by TCC students. A panel of experts will talk about empathy and its role in restoring balance and positive change. The discussion centers around the power of empathy to transform relationships, circumstances, context and trajectory.

Three professional artists address racial equity in the performing arts in Lifting the Curtain: Addressing Racism in Dance, Music and Theatre on March 16 at 12:30 p.m. Panelists include Anthony Stockard, producing artistic director of Norfolk State University Theatre Company; Theresa Ruth Howard, former company member of Dance Theater of Harlem; and Ismar Gomes, an internationally acclaimed cellist, recording artist, and member of both the Richmond and Virginia Symphony Orchestras. Get involved by submitting questions and comments via the YouTube comments window.

Visiting artist Ronald Jackson uses unique portraiture and relative speculation to imagine the personal experiences and stories of African Americans from the early 20^th century. Join us for Songs of Stories Untold on March 30 from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m.

Caged Birds Sing: Voices from Quarantine is hosted by Tory Slade on April 6 at 6 p.m. The artists showcase features performances from students and local performers, including original works.

Designing for Good, April 22 from 12:30 – 1:30 p.m., features visiting graphic designer Benjamin Gaydos, a designer, educator, co-founder of goodgood, and chair and professor of design at the University of Michigan -Flint where he directs the Community Design Studio. Gaydos finds beauty in the details, humanity through collaboration, joy in the act of creating, and wholeheartedly believes that design can sustain, heal and empower.

On April 26 from 7:30 – 8:30 p.m. Breaking Through: A Showcase of Actors. CORE Theatre Ensemble and the TCC Roper Performing Arts Center team up to present curated live monologues submitted by student, amateur and professional actors exploring topics and issues that are especially relevant to humankind today. For information about participating, contact roper@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/.

TCC Theatre presents “God of Carnage” beginning Nov. 2

Ruckus in the family room.

Tidewater Community College Theatre will present “God of Carnage” for three weekends in November, beginning Nov. 2.

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

Winner of a 2009 Tony Award for Best Play, the dark comedy by Yasmina Reza features four actors on stage portraying a childish evening of name-calling, tears and tantrums. Following a playground fight between two boys, two sets of Brooklyn parents meet to resolve the matter, a conversation that unravels into outlandish bickering.

This play contains adult language that may not be suitable for all audiences.

Performance dates are:

Nov 2-3 at 7:30 p.m. with a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. on Nov. 4
8-10 at 7:30 p.m.
15-17 at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors. 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.

Renowned playwright part of TCC’s celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month

Tidewater Community College will recognize Hispanic Heritage Month with a keynote program featuring world-renowned playwright Dino Armas, Professor Gabriela Christie Toletti, Juan Raúl Ferreira and other guests on Sept. 27.

The event, which begins at 5:30 p.m. at the TCC Roper Performing Arts Center in downtown Norfolk, is free and open to the public.

Dino Armas and Gabriela Toletti in Uruguay. — Gabriela Toletti, with Dina Armas, when she first presented her book at a special event in Uruguay.

The trio will discuss Toletti’s new book, “On the Scene with Migration and Dictatorship: An Interdisciplinary Approach to the Work of Uruguayan Playwright Dino Armas.” The conversation will focus on the migratory waves that shaped Latin America, as well as military dictatorships that changed the course of history.

Toletti teaches Spanish classes at TCC and is chair of liberal arts on the Norfolk Campus. Ferreira is a past Uruguayan Parliament representative and senator and Uruguayan ambassador to Argentina.

Dancers performing selected tangos and actors portraying scenes from Armas’ plays will be part of the evening. A book signing and reception will follow the event.

Armas’ works have been staged in Latin America, the United States and Europe.

“My book is a way to enter Armas’ world to inquire into Hispanic and universal human conflicts,” Toletti said. “This work constitutes a shared stage of reflection, analysis, collaboration and affection toward Armas, Hispanic culture and a universal multicultural heritage.”

TCC will celebrate the rich and diverse cultural traditions of Hampton Roads’ Hispanic-American community with activities on its four campuses in Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach.

All Hispanic Heritage Month events are free and open to the public.

Visit tcc.edu/hispanicheritage for a listing of campus events.

For more information, contact the Intercultural Learning Center at intercultural@tcc.edu or 757-822-7296.

Enjoy “Othello” under the stars at TCC’s Shakespeare in the Grove

Mistrust, violence and intrigue highlight the classic tale of “Othello,” on stage at Tidewater Community College’s 22^nd Shakespeare in the Grove.

Free, outdoor public performances will be held June 20-24, starting at 8 p.m., weather permitting.

A sneak peek of "Othello" at Food Trucks on the Square on June 6. — A sneak peek of “Othello” on June 6.

This is the third 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 tragedy to life.

TCC’s version of the play is set at the end of the Civil War and Othello, the captain of the 54^th Massachusetts Regiment, has secretly married Desdemona, the daughter of a prominent senator. When the senator learns the truth, he promptly disowns her.

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.

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

TCC Theatre to hold open auditions for “Othello” on April 21

Tidewater Community College’s Theatre Department will hold open auditions for “Othello,” this summer’s Shakespeare in the Grove production.

Auditions will be April 21 from 9 a.m. to noon at 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 about 15 actors. Actors should have a two-minute, memorized monologue prepared.

Rehearsals will begin April 30 and will run Monday – Thursday from 7-10 p.m.

The production will be from June 20-24.

To request an audition, email Trey Clarkson, director, at clarksoe@chsvb.org.

To express an interest in a technical position, contact Matthew Gorris at 757-822-7041 or mgorris@tcc.edu.