Welcome
Valencie College Theater produces four major productions each year, as well as a series of student-directed one-act plays. Productions are held either in our 558-seat Performing Arts Center, or our more intimate Black Box Theater, both located on the East Campus.
The season runs from October through June each school year, with variety and educational opportunities for both students and audiences driving the selection of plays. Recent productions have included major musicals, avant-garde plays, classical drama and comedy, contemporary Broadway hits, and favorite revivals. Valencia’s Theater Department also sponsors an annual competition among playwrights who reside in Florida. We solicit never-before-produced manuscripts each fall, which are read and evaluated by a committee of readers. One script is selected, and after extensive “workshopping” with staff, students and writer, it is presented as a fully staged production in the Black Box Theater. Acting and directing students also produce two sets of student-directed one-act plays that are offered on consecutive Wednesday afternoons in April.
A RAISIN IN THE SUN has been cast, and we're excited to announce that Orlando actor Avis Marie Barnes will be a guest artist on East Campus for this production, playing the role of Mama. Production dates are February 15-26, 2012, in the Black Box Theater. Tickets are on sale now.
The winning play from our 2011-12 Florida Playwright Competition has been selected, and the winner and runners-up notified. A public announcement will follow in January. This is the 21st year Valencia College Theater has produced the World Premiere of a play written by a writer who resides in Florida. It is a rare educational opportunity for our tech, design, and acting students to have the chance to work on a production with the involvement of the playwright. Auditions will be held in February, and the production goes up in April. (Hint: the play has a large cast, with roles available for actors from late teens to 60+. Our auditions are open to the community. For more information, email director Julia Gagne at jgagne@valenciacollege.ecu.)
