(The following is a verbatim press release provided by Bucks County Community College)
Bucks County Community College invites the public to a variety of student performances — ranging from comedy and drama to music and dance — from Nov. 3 to Dec. 8 that highlight the talents nurtured by the School of Arts and Communication.
“Through these performances, our students share with the community the results of their hard work and artistic growth — showcasing how a quality education in the arts can inspire, connect, and enliven,” said Dean Carolina Blatt, Ph.D. “I invite the community to campus to enjoy these performances and experience the tremendous musicianship and other talents of our students and faculty.”
Comedy and drama take center stage
The series opens and closes with the Bucks Student Comedy Improv Show at 7 p.m. Monday Nov. 3, and again at 7 p.m. Monday Dec. 8, in the Zlock Performing Arts Center. Communication faculty member Jason Scott Quinn, a New York City-based actor and improvisor, has taught Introduction to Improvisational Performance at Bucks for eight years. Each show, which is free and open the public, features 12 students taking the course with Quinn this fall.
“The November show will be a shortform improv show, performing scenes and games inspired by your suggestions in the style of TV’s ‘Whose Line is it Anyway,’” Quinn explained. “December is a longform improv show, during which each group of performers will act out an entirely improvised comedy based on a single suggestion.”
Next, the student-run Bucks Drama Club stages Louisa May Alcott’s classic “Little Women” at 7 p.m. Wednesday November 19, Thursday November 20, and Friday November 21, in the Zlock Performing Arts Center.
Directed by Bucks Drama Club President Shane Laverty and Vice President Liam Sullivan, the play features Jane Gonzalez as Meg, Briahnna Fein as Jo, Zoe Mongeillo as Beth, and Emma Kohler as Amy, as well as an additional 14 cast members and a long list of crew members. Tickets for “Little Women” are $12 and can be purchased at bucks.edu/tickets.
A week of free music, song and dance in December
When the calendar turns to December, the spotlight turns to music and dance. The following free performances get underway at 7 p.m. in the Zlock Performing Arts Center, and tickets can be reserved at bucks.edu/tickets.
On Monday, Dec. 1, the Bucks Percussion Ensemble performs on various pitched and non-pitched percussion instruments, covering music of varied historical, cultural, and stylistic backgrounds and genres. The eight students are under the direction of Professor Mark Pultorak, who has been teaching at Bucks for 27 years and has been a professional drummer for four decades.
That’s followed by the Bucks Cover Band Ensemble on Tuesday, Dec. 2. Directed by professional guitarist and longtime professor John Sheridan, 14 students from different majors will perform multi-genre pop music.
On Wednesday, December 3, the BCCC Concert Choir and Madrigal Singers join forces for a holiday concert. Featuring Gabriel Fauré’s “Cantique de Jean Racine” as a centerpiece, the combined ensembles will sing holiday favorites, folk songs, patriotic pieces, and a medley of rock songs by artists who passed away in 2016.
The 35 singers are led by Professor Rochelle Reed, a 20-year faculty member and professional vocalist, and accompanied by Timothy Harrell, the organist and choirmaster at Trinity Episcopal Church in Solebury, Pa. Reed also directs the BCCC Concert Choir’s annual appearances, performing The National Anthem at Citizen’s Bank Park before Philadelphia Phillies games.
The music ensembles are part of the highly acclaimed music curriculum in the School of Arts and Communication, which is designated as an All-Steinway School by the legendary piano maker.
Finally, the Fall Dance Showcase on Friday, Dec. 5, promises an evening of diverse movement, expression, and innovation in dance.
“The showcase reflects the dedication, artistry, and growth demonstrated by the students throughout the semester,” noted Tia Kern, the dance program coordinator now in her sixth year at the College. “The program highlights both individual expression and collaborative effort, showcasing the dynamic energy of the department as a whole.”
This year’s program features performances from 20 student dancers, the debut of original works by the department’s composition students, pieces choreographed by faculty, and a special performance by the College’s dance team.
Bucks County Community College is an accredited institutional member of both the National Association of Schools of Music and the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, a distinction held by very few community colleges in the nation. To learn more, visit bucks.edu/arts.
All performances take place in the Zlock Performing Arts Center on the College’s Newtown Campus, located at 275 Swamp Road, Newtown, Pa., where there’s ample free parking. For a campus map and directions, visit bucks.edu/newtown. For tickets, go to bucks.edu/tickets.
