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“To make people laugh when it feels like the world is falling down around you” - the premise for this classic comedy – creates an immediately relatable performance, no matter what the era. See How They Run, a London hit, long leaving audiences screaming with laughter, comes to Scottsdale Community College (SCC) October 18-26.
In the post World War II English countryside, the Toop residence is expecting houseguests, but gets much more than they bargained for with an escaped prisoner, old friends and the early arrival of their visitors. Toss in a half-naked pastor, an actor turned soldier, a shy priest, a Russian spy, the pastor’s American wife, her wickedly smart cockney maid, a not-so-sober spinster, and a flustered bishop, and See How They Run tells a fast-paced story laced with wit and mystery.
“One actor, during the original production in London, was upset that German bombs exploded on virtually all his funniest lines. If people can come and laugh at something that promises to be fast and funny, then we've been true to the play's original intent, and we’re doing something good for today's times,” said director Don K. Williams. “The actors are literally chasing each other on stage throughout the production, creating a visually-stunning performance – and challenging the student actors with very sophisticated choreography.”
Williams is a recent faculty hire at SCC’s Scottsdale School of Film+Theatre currently teaching Acting I, II and III courses. He served for four years as the Head of Acting for the Stella Alder Studio/NYU Tisch BFA program and for eight years as a senior acting instructor in the same program. Most recently, Williams led the Los Angeles branch of the Stella Adler Studio (Art of Acting Studio) as Artistic Director and master teacher, and also served as the Artistic Director for the award winning HCLAB Theatre Company.
Williams has been seen on stages such as the California Shakespeare Festival, Denver Center Theatre Company, Playwrights Horizons, Neighborhood Playhouse, and Marin Theatre Company, to name a few. As a director, he has helmed more than 100 Off-Broadway, regional and collegiate productions as well as numerous short films. As a playwright, his productions have appeared on stages in both New York and Los Angeles.
SCC’s nationally-recognized Film+Theatre program inspires a new community of theatre students through a combination of classroom study and production applications that emphasize the collaborative nature of this field. The College offers an Associate’s degree in Theatre along with a certificate program in Technical Theatre.
“When the opportunity arose to work at SCC, I jumped,” said Williams. “I was married in Scottsdale, my mother-in-law lives here, my wife is an ASU grad, and my daughter took her first flight at 3 months old to Scottsdale. So much happiness has followed me here that if felt like a no-brainer. I am a big fan of what the faculty and staff have done in the past and am looking forward to upholding the reputation that SCC's Theatre wing so richly deserves.”
SCC’s Scottsdale School of Film+Theatre offers a two-year hands-on program that is the only one of its kind among the community colleges in Arizona. Students begin learning equipment and techniques from the first day of class, and they learn from professionals who currently work in the fields they teach. Enrichment opportunities, such as special workshops, speakers, new products demonstrations, and a library of screenplays are also offered, as is helpful one-on-one advice when it’s needed. As a culmination of their studies, student work is evaluated by outside working professionals and can also be entered into the annual Student Film Showcase Festival.
The details: Tickets to See How They Run are free, but reservations are required due to limited seating. Reserve your spot on Eventbrite or call the Box Office at 480-423-6356.
Location: SCC’s Performing Arts Center main stage, 9000 E. Chaparral Rd., Scottsdale
Oct. 18, 19 and 25 – 7:30 p.m. start time
Oct. 19 and 26 – 2:00 p.m. matinee
About Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale Community College (SCC) is student centered with a focus on active, engaged and intellectually rigorous learning. The College is known for high quality, accessible educational opportunities and innovative teaching, learning and support services. SCC serves about 10,000 students a year, offering more than 100 degrees and 60 certificates of completion in diverse occupational areas. At only $85 per credit hour, SCC is one of the most affordable colleges in Maricopa County, and the average class size is only 16 students. Through a partnership with the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, SCC is honored to be the only two-year public higher education institution located on Native American land. For more information, phone (480) 423-6700 or visit www.scottsdalecc.edu.
Scottsdale Community College is one of the 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District, one of the largest community college districts in the nation. SCC offers academic courses leading to associate degrees, university transfer, certificates and short-term job training.
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