Santa Monica College Theatre Arts Department

Sent on behalf of John Quevedo, member of the LatinX Staff and Faculty Collective:

March 31 is César Chávez Day, a commemorative holiday
as proclaimed by President Barack Obama in 2014. We
celebrate the lifework of César Chávez and Dolores Huerta,
role models, and champions of labor rights, civil rights, and
human rights. César Chávez Day, a Day of Service, also serves
as a day to recognize the incalculable contributions of immigrant
farmworkers from many cultures who still are the backbone of
the agricultural, and many other industries, in California and the
United States. Let us educate future generations to learn lessons
from history, and to treasure our cultural and national icons César
Chávez and Dolores Huerta.

Thursday, March 30, Activity Hour
Please invite students to HSS 165 to see "Abuelita’s Kitchen: Mexican Food Stories" (2022), directed by Marie Bailey and produced by Dr. Sarah Portnoy, Professor of Food Studies at USC. The documentary shares the food stories of ten Indigenous, mestiza, Mexican-American and Afro-American grandmothers in Los Angeles, including their personal journeys as immigrants,
and their knowledge of traditional dishes. A conversation with producer Sarah Portnoy and film participants will follow.

Also, please invite students to the Main Campus Quad to celebrate
César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, with DJ music funded by the
Global Citizenship Council, thank you!

Los Angeles County Arts & Culture Paid Internships
Monday, March 13 | 4 - 5:30 pm
Join us on zoom: https://tinyurl.com/2aywnsf7

Come learn more about Paid Work in the Arts from:
Martín Hernández / Senior Program Associate at Los Angeles County Arts & Culture

Hosted by Perviz Sawoski, Chair of Theater Arts

200+ positions available across L.A.
Since 2000, the LA County Arts Internship Program has provided undergraduate and community college students with internships at: nonprofit film, performing arts, visual arts, music, literary arts, social justice, and municipal arts organizations.

Application Deadlines & Instructions can be found here: www.lacountyarts.org/internships

About Arts Internship Program (for Students) Prospective applicants are encouraged to view the above video for a general overview and more information about the program.

Two weeks ago several of our students attended the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region 8 festival in Las Vegas.

Here are our students' (and faculty) accomplishments:


IRENE RYAN ACTING SCHOLARSHIP
274 preliminary submissions (SMC – 11)
75 semi-finalists
Jamie Concepcion and Ayinde Ross
16 finalists
Ayinde Ross


DESIGN, TECHNOLOGY, MANAGEMENT (DTM)


DESIGN - MycKinnon Forsyth

DTM Finalist

Student Choice Award for projections – Outpost-DMZ

National KCACTF Award Theatrical Design Excellence – Projection Design for Outpost-DMZ

Award from Cirque Du Soleil Entertainment Group: Rising Sun Award
"This award is presented to select individuals whose work best embodies Cirque du Soleil Entertainment Group's core mission to invoke the imagination, provoke the senses, and evoke the emotions of people around the world. Recipients of this award have demonstrated excellence in creativity and innovations within their field of choice, and are selected for their display of originality and style."
One of four design students to be awarded tickets to Cirque Du Soleil - The Beatles LOVE at the Mirage.


STAGE MANAGEMENT – Ximena Morellon

DTM Finalist

Ghostlight Award – Stage Management of Story Theatre


DRAMATURGY – Mara Roshal

Program Note Award

National Dramaturgy Runner-Up


At festival, students also had the opportunity to audition to perform in monologues, One Acts, 10-Minute Plays, and MTI (Musical Theatre Initiative).

MTI Dance Finalists:
Jamie Concepcion
Savannah Haislip
Allie Jensen

Jordi Kligman
Outstanding Performance in a One Act


Department Chair Perviz Sawoski was also awarded The Judith Royer Award for Excellence in Production Response.

The Judith Royer Award for Excellence in Production Response has been established in honor of Sr. Judith Royer, a revered friend and contributor to the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival by her development of the Region VIII Respondents Workshop. The award goes to a respondent from Region VIII for an outstanding record of thoughtful, effective and supportive responses to nominated productions.
Criteria include:
--Commitment to the values of artistic choices and diversity of perspective
--Reflection of the educational mission of training the future artistic leadership in American Theatre
--Contribution to nurturing talent in all areas of the theatre by constructive feedback and fostering risk-taking, collegial exploration of new ideas and celebration of artistic skills and insight.

Congratulations to all!!

Congratulations to Mia Bazo ("The Only Two Doctors in Kentucky"), Justin Young ("Reflections"), and Jordi Kligman ("Reflections") for being cast in One Act Plays.

Congratulations to Emma Byron for being cast in the 10-Minute Play, "Transit".

Congatulations to Jamie Concepcion, Savannah Haislip, and Allie Jensen for being MTI Dance Finalists!

VIRTUAL SCAVENGER HUNT

Registration is now open!!!! For the virtual Scavenger Hunt event on Tuesday Feb 21, 2022, at 11:15 a.m. The first 100 students that sign up and participate will receive a $100 SMC bookstore voucher to buy any course materials. This event is a great way to connect with Santa Monica College resources while having fun. I encourage you to share this opportunity with other students and SMC employees. Please click on the following Zoom to register:

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErf-uopjooH9SncAO9SWAhl-lud0oApWN1

Registered Students that volunteer and assist with this event are guaranteed a $100 voucher. If you would like to volunteer, please fill out the following sign up form: https://forms.gle/FGg7iCWkoEZ8W2su9

I am wishing you much success in your academic journey.

Your advocate,

Kamiko Greenwood
Associated Students President

Virtual Scavenger Hunt Sign up Sheet Thank you for your interest in volunteering! Please see more information about the role below: What will you do? Attend an orientation Session to learn about the details for the Virtual Scavenger Hunt event, assist students on the official event date by hosting Zoom break out rooms and guiding them....

Congratulations to Ximena Morellon for being a DTM Finalist for Stage Management of “Stoty Theatre”!

Congratulations to MycKinnon Forsyth for being a DTM Finalist for his projection design for “Outpost-DMZ”!

Congratulations to Ayinde Ross for moving on to the Ryan finals!

We're in Las Vegas at the KCACTF Region 8 Festival 55.

Congratulations to Jaime Concepcion and Ayinde Ross for advancing to the Irene Ryan semi-finals!