Monday, November 21, 2016

CGCC’s "A Christmas Carol" Production That Gives Back

Scrooge, Tiny Tim, the Ghost of Christmas Present, Future and Past are back.  Chandler-Gilbert Community College’s (CGCC) presentation of the Charles Dickens classic “A Christmas Carol” will once again usher in the holidays at the Arnette Scott Ward Performing Arts Center in Chandler on December 1st – 3rd.

“It never ceases to amaze me the total effort that goes into making this a successful production,” shared Tracy Liz Miller, Director of Theatre Arts at CGCC.  She is referring to the over 30 CGCC students who have been rehearsing for over two and a half months to fill roles onstage as actors and backstage as scenic and costume shop workers.  “We also have cast 15 children from the community to be in the show,” added Miller, “and we are enormously grateful to their parents whose dedication has made this special addition to the production a possibility.”

“A Christmas Carol” has evolved into a biannual performing arts tradition at CGCC, but it has also become a community-centered event that embraces the season of giving.  "Any kind of service to the community is a great addition to our hard work in rehearsals," explained Marc Denton, production Music Director and Director of Choral, Vocal and Piano Music Studies.

This year the production is partnering with the CGCC office of Student Life's campus-wide Adopt a Family program to sponsor a food drive.  Their contribution will be non-perishable food that audience members can bring to the show. Food donation baskets will be at the box office to accept donations.

"I think it is important for the cast and crew to not only work hard to deliver this beautiful story about Scrooge's journey towards love, light, and charity but to also live it ourselves.” Expressed Miller.  “I can't think of a better way to serve our community.”  This philosophy is most underscored by the cast and crew who will adopt one of the larger families in the initiative and gather donations towards that family's needs.

The Arnette Scott Ward Performing Arts Center will also be showcasing their new sound system installed over the summer.  This was a dire need after the original system began to fail last year after having been in continuous operation since the building's opening in 2002.

Show Details:
“A Christmas Carol” by Alan Menken, Lynn Ahrens, Mike Ockrent
Arnette Scott Ward Performing Arts Center - 2626 E. Pecos Rd. in Chandler.

Performance Schedule:

•    December 1, 2, 3 at 7:30 pm
•    December 3 at 2 pm

Tickets:
Ticket prices are $12 for general admission, $10 for seniors, $10 for students, faculty & staff, and can be purchased by calling (480) 732-7343.

Monday, November 14, 2016

Hermanas Conference Promotes Science, Technology, Engineering and Math to Latina Middle School Students

This Friday, over 200 middle school Latina students from surrounding East Valley school districts will participate in the annual Hermanas: DiseƱa Tu Futuro (Design Your Future) Conference at the Chandler-Gilbert Community College Williams Campus in Mesa. The one-day conference hosted by the Intel Corporation in partnership with CGCC, introduces underrepresented Latina students to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) related careers, interact with successful Latinas in STEM fields, receive encouragement to finish school, attend college and to pursue their goals. 
 During the Hermanas Conference students will engage in fun, interactive workshop activities about solar cells, DNA, coding, physics, astronomy and chemistry. In addition to the activities, students will have the opportunity to attend a college fair, participate in the Latina Town Hall and listen to encouraging words from special guest speakers Anna Tanguma-Gallegos, Arizona Science Center and Erika Diaz; former Hermanas participant, University of Arizona graduate and current medical school applicant. 
 
Click here to read more information about the Hermanas Conference
 

CGCC to Host Native American Book Author on November 16


Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) is honored to host Dr. Andrew Needham, Associate Professor of History at New York University and author of “Power Lines: Phoenix and the Making of the Modern Southwest” for a discussion and book signing event as part of CGCC’s Native American Heritage Month activities.  The event will be held this Wednesday, November 16 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Pecos Campus Agave Room 1240. During the presentation, Dr. Needham will read excerpts from his book and participate in a Q&A session with attendees.
 
Dr. Needham’s book is based on the growth of Phoenix’s reliance on electricity and resources from the neighboring territory of the Navajo Nation. “Power Lines: Phoenix and the Making of the Modern Southwest” explores the often-untold story of Phoenix’s growth—a federally subsidized postwar boom that exploited the Navajo Nation and spurred the roots of the contemporary coal-fueled climate change crisis. This event is free and open to the public. Books will be available for purchase onsite.

 

Tuesday, November 8, 2016

Circle Mirror Transformation Debuts on November 17

CGCC Fall Production a Must See

Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) Performing Arts has not let pending technical upgrades to their facility keep them from finding the “perfect fit” performance for this fall’s production.  Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker is the type of character-driven play that Theatre Arts Director, Tracy Liz Miller knew her students and her theatre could do to perfection. 

“Director Kent Burnham suggested this wonderful play by Annie Baker, knowing that we had some terrific older students in our classes that are ready for their opportunity on the stage,” shared Miller.  “It's a perfect fit for our department right now for the students and as we wait for our new dimmer rack and additional equipment."

This the first time CGCC Department of Theatre has produced a fall production in their Studio Black Box and have chosen this low-tech, character-centric play to fit into the space as they wait for additional technical upgrades for more technically sophisticated productions.

The play is layered with intrigue.  When four lost individuals who enroll in Marty's six-week-long community-center drama class begin to experiment with harmless games, hearts are quietly torn apart, and tiny wars of epic proportions are waged and won. A beautifully crafted diorama, a petri dish in which we see, with hilarious detail and clarity, the antic sadness of a motley quintet.

Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker is showing at the Arnette Scott Ward Performing Arts Center located at the CGCC Pecos Campus on November 17th & 19th at 7:30pm with a matinee on the 19th at 2:00pm.  Tickets are $8 general admission and $5 for students.   For more information please visit the website at www.cgc.maricopa.edu/performingarts or call the box office at 480-732-7343.