HCC’s Arts Collective Presents A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play December 8–11, 2016
SHOW DATES AND TIMES:
Thursday, December 8 at 7:30 PM
Friday, December 9 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 PM
*Sunday, December 11 at 3 PM followed by a special post-show discussion.
$15 for General Admission.
$10 for Students, Seniors, Faculty, Staff, and Military.
Or Call the Box Office: (443) 518-1500
The box office will also be open 90 minutes prior to each show time and Tuesday–Friday, from 12 Noon to 6 PM.
Parental guidance note: Recommended for ages 8 and up.
LOCATION:
The Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center’s Studio Theatre-At Howard Community College – 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, in Columbia, Maryland 21044.
Patrons are encouraged to bring items for HCC’s Food Pantry to Assist Students in Need
Howard Community College’s Arts Collective continues its 22nd season with A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play, adapted for the stage by Joe Landry, with music by Kevin Connors, from the novella by Charles Dickens. The production will take place December 8–11, in the Horowitz Visual and Performing Arts Center’s Studio Theatre.
Arts Collective (AC) brings this beloved Dickens story to life in the form of a vintage 1940’s radio broadcast complete with storytelling, live action, live sound effects, and music performed by a company of 30 actors, comprised of students, alumni, staff, faculty, and guest artists. Many of the actors will be playing different roles at each performance. Enjoy AC’s rollicking version of this holiday classic, where Scrooge takes his magical journey toward the true meaning and spirit of the season in a perennial family favorite that will leave no one saying, “Bah, humbug!”
The Production Features a Huge Rotating Cast.
Director S.G. Kramer said:
From day one, I wanted to include a huge, rotating and diverse company of actors who perform various roles each performance, provide audiences with opportunities to experience the classic journey in various ways, approach the process by creatively merging a staged reading with simple, low-budget production elements, and finally, honor the spirit of the season and the message of the play in partnering with HCC’s Food Pantry to assist HCC students in need. We can’t wait to share the magic.
We gathered together a handful of actors who perform in the play to ask them to share their take on the process thus far and what audiences can look forward to:
Jim Hart, who will perform many various roles throughout the abbreviated run, including Scrooge (on Sunday, December 11), points out that what makes this version of Dickens’ classic story unique is that “it’s done as a radio play in the 1940’s, with commercial breaks, where the radio players take on the characters in Dickens’ tale. The audience will be taken from their present day lives in 2016 back to the 1940’s, and then into the play within a play world of the 1800’s”. Mr. Hart’s favorite moment in the play is “when Scrooge wakes up on Christmas morning!”
Chania Hudson, who will perform the roles of Belle, Fred’s Wife, Naughty Little Girl to list a few, shared that “as an actor it’s awesome to have the opportunity to play and share multiple roles within this show.” When asked which part of the process she’s enjoyed the most, Ms. Hudson stated “seeing different variations of the same character from my cast mates, getting to know and work with everyone, and learning how to waltz!” She added that her most favorite moment in the show is “the Boy singing ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’ outside of Scrooge and Marley’s Counting House”.
Armani Veguilla, another actor who will perform many roles each performance, joined the conversation. Mr. Veguilla reminded us that that “in the 1940’s, everyone had more radios than televisions, and that families sat together in one room to listen.” He added that he has enjoyed the camaraderie shared throughout the process, specifically when working on the group moments in the play, during the Fezziwig scene, as Dick Wilkens, and Old Joe’s scene, as the Undertaker’s Helper.” Mr. Veguilla has most enjoyed “coming together as one” at the end of each rehearsal.
Sierra Young took a moment to share her take on the process thus far as well. Ms. Young will perform various roles throughout, as well as fulfill the roles of dance captain, dialect coach and understudy for all. We asked Ms. Young what she has celebrated the most during the process, “I’ve really enjoyed seeing different character interpretations from actors who play the same roles. I’ve also enjoyed layering in various other aspects of the production like the sound effects and the costuming.” Her favorite moment in the play “is the sequence when Scrooge is ready to turn over a new leaf after he has been visited by all of the ghosts and the ensemble sings ‘God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen’; it’s just a simple moment to show Scrooge’s rebirth and it’s really heartwarming.”
Why should folks buy tickets NOW to see AC’s A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play?
Jim, Chania, Armani and Sierra weigh in…
Jim Hart: They might not be available later!
Chania Hudson: It’s an incredible show with an incredible cast. I’ve never seen anything quite like AC’s A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play.
Armani Veguilla: To go back in time during the 1940s, when there were more radio’s than TV’s and families sat together in one room to listen.
Sierra Young: Because it’s a version of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol that they’ll never experience anywhere else. It’s fun for all ages, and this timeless tale really emphasizes how important it is to take a step back reflect on your blessings and simply be present in each moment.
HCC FOOD PANTRY DONATIONS:
Audiences who bring items for HCC’s Food Pantry will receive a tasty intermission treat from Arts Collective. To learn more about HCC’s Food Pantry and view a list of suggested items to donate, please visit Arts Collective’s website.
THE COMPANY:
View AC’s website to view the Cast Line-Up per Performance here!
Doug Beatty, Kira Bennett, Janelle Broderick, Alison Buckley, Adam Czarnecki, Jim Hart, Tara Hart, Bella Horvath, Bennett Horvath, Steve Horvath, Chania Hudson, Daniel Johnston, Gareth Kelly, Valerie Lash. Kathryn Marshall, Apryl Motley, Colin Riley, Gavin Shown, Christopher Sisson, William Stanley III, Armani Veguilla, Sierra Young, With Brandon Furr, Warren Harris, Westley LeRoux, Mary Liberto, and more.
ARTISTIC TEAM
Directed by S.G. Kramer.
Lighting Design by Andrew M. Haag, Jr.
Set and Prop Coordination by S.G. Kramer, Emma McDonnell, and Linwood Milan.
Costume Design by Shannon Maddox.
Assistant Costume Design by Daniel Johnston.
Sound Effects Design by Linwood Milan.
Live Sound Effects and A Cappella Performances by Sonorous.
Piano Accompaniment by Keith Tittermary.
Fezziwig Party Choreography by Chelsea Nicole Green.
Dance Captain, Dialect Coach by Sierra Young.
Marketing Illustrations by Emma K. McDonnell.
Stage Management by Linwood Milan.
Assistant Stage Management by Emma K. McDonnell.
About HCC’s Arts Collective
Howard Community College’s critically acclaimed Arts Collective engages performers, creatives, and audiences with innovative events that ignite our collective imaginations. For over two decades, Arts Collective has served as a creative cauldron, providing expert guidance and training to new and experienced artists in bringing vibrant life to diverse works on the stage; from the newly devised to the classics and all in between. Arts Collective’s positive, collaborative, educational environment is open to everyone. Join us in creating new heights of learning and possibility. Ignite your imagination!
HCC’s Arts Collective Presents A Christmas Carol: A Live Radio Play December 8–11, 2016
SHOW DATES AND TIMES:
Thursday, December 8 at 7:30 PM
Friday, December 9 at 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 10 at 7:30 PM
*Sunday, December 11 at 3 PM followed by a special post-show discussion.
$15 for General Admission.
$10 for Students, Seniors, Faculty, Staff, and Military.
Or Call the Box Office: (443) 518-1500
The box office will also be open 90 minutes prior to each show time and Tuesday–Friday, from 12 Noon to 6 PM.
Parental guidance note: Recommended for ages 8 and
