Tartuffe

Production team revamps set with '60s style for dynamic action

BRIAN CALDERA Reporter @BTVCaldera

The 1960’s meets the 1600’s in Pierce’s rendition of "Tartuffe" through the flower power style of clothing and maintaing the emotions and language of the original play.

Pierce College’s version of “Tartuffe” brings a play by legendary playwright Moliere into the 20th century. The production team opted to take the play from its original setting and time.

“We [play director Shaheen Vaaz and costume designer Eileen Gizienski] were talking about how we were going to express the high level of sophistication of that time, the sexuality, and the extravagance of the 1600’s in this play,” Vaaz said. “At the same time, I wanted the actors to move around a lot… so they can to do backflips, dance, stomp, and punch.”

The team decided on the designs, colors, and exotic styles that were prevalent in 1960’s fashion.

“We talked about the idea of there being the romantic, emotional and the comedy part of the play. It was a very flirtatious period,” Gizienski said. “We came to a mutual idea, we talked about the rock stars of the sixties and the sort of european vibe of fashion during that period, and it progressed from there.”

The comedic play, originally performed in 1664, is about a fraudulent holyman, Tartuffe, who tries to con his gullible host out of everything he possesses, much to the dismay of the rest of the household, who tries to reveal his deceptive ways.

The production team is sure that the original content can still resonate with contemporary audiences despite the multi-century gap in cultures.

“Although the look of the play may have changed, the content stays true to the original script,” Vaaz said. “The cast has gone through great lengths to make sure the performances are word for word absolutely true.”

The title character will be played by actor Amir Khalighi and leading lady Elmire will be played by fellow actress Leah Foster, who has already been in multiple plays at Pierce, including: “Independence Cabaret” and “To Kill a Mockingbird.”

“We’re not using it to affect how characters behave. We want them to remain true to who they are as a character so that it remains relevant

"Tartuffe" at the Dow Arena Theatre first performance, runs through 10/30

Short term classes begin How to Transfer to an Elite Private University noon to 1 p.m. at the Transfer Center professor Avakian-Akkus tells everyone

Pitch perfect, singers shine

Choir participated in music festival over weekend

waived by the Performing Arts Department to give the choir the opportunity to perform.

A set-list of three songs were performed, with the theme of “Love and Peace”.

to what’s happening today,” stage manager Sharai Bravo said.

An original score for the play was created alongside rehearsals, in hopes of syncing a musical rhythm to the rhyming scheme of the lines. The

Taylor Arthur/ Roundup

The choir was invited by the USC Thornton School of Music to perform 15 minutes of music at the 2016 USC Community College Invitational Choral Festival, which took place October 15th.

Pierce was selected out of eight “outstanding ensembles” that was invited to the event. The festival was closed to the public, and was only attended by the invited choir teams. A maximum of 280 participants were set to perform, each choir being limited to 35 members.

The performance was taped by a professional photographer and a copy of the performance was given to each of the participating colleges.

A registration fee of $300 was

“When Peace Shall Come” by John Purifoy, “Every Time I Feel the Spirit” an African-American spiritual song dating back before the civil war, with an unknown author, and “Amani” by Audrey Snyder, an African style song with text in Swahili. The title translates to “Peace.”

“Three of these songs we actually did in our spring concert of last year, but we also have a bunch of new students who are performing, so I kind of didn’t want to do something from scratch and we just started working on the stuff 3-4 weeks ago,” Choir Conductor Garineh “Ga-Ga” Avakian-Akkus said.

The opportunity was given to everyone in Akkus’ choir class. The ones who were willing to attend took the 35 available positions. Including male soloist Jacob Billings and female soloist Leah Foster.

“I’ve done some professional singing before, and when I got to Pierce I got involved in the choir. We have great voice classes here, and I think the biggest challenge for us right now is that people really don’t know what a great music and theater department we have,” Foster said.

The choir was accompanied by Frank Garvey, professional pianist and adjunct instructor of music.

“One of the pieces does require a bit of practice, but they’re relatively simple. It’s just a question of me being connected with the choir and Dr. Ga-ga, because as an accompanist you're looking at the notes, but you really have to have a third eye on the conductor at all times,” Garvey said. “We prepare and plan everything, but in the moment of a performance anything can happen.” bcaldera.roundupnews@gmail.com

[For the full story visit theroundupnews.com] musical arrangement was made in collaboration with Vaaz and student musician James Longstreet, who will be performing during the play.

Dow Arena Theatre. Tickets can be bought at BrownPaperTickets.com. Student tickets are $12.

Tailgates rally support ASO engages community with pre-game events

An hour before the whistle blows marking the start of the volleyball game versus Hancock, students enjoy pizza in the front of the North Gym and prepare to cheer on Pierce’s team.

The Associated Students Organization is hosting tailgating events an hour before various sports games to rile up school spirit and promote community on Pierce.

On Wednesday, Oct. 12 the ASO brought the community together by providing food, minigames, and an opportunity to meet others. Also, on Saturday, Oct. 15 another tailgate was hosted for the football game versus Valley with ASO members in the stands.

Athletics Director, Bob Lofrano, believes these events are a great idea.

“Look at the activity we have. Some will stay and watch the game, some will go to class, some