Montgomery County Community College’s Theatre Arts Program will present two upcoming performances that will feature the talent that emerges from the College’s Theatre Arts department. Two of the Program’s student groups, The Drama Club and West End Student Theatre, are responsible for the full execution of the theatre productions taking place on MCCC’s Blue Bell and Pottstown campuses next month.

The first performance by MCCC Theatre Arts and The Drama Club taking place Nov. 3-6 is “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” by William Shakespeare at MCCC’s Black Box Theatre, Blue Bell Campus, 340 DeKalb Pike, Blue Bell. Tickets are $12 for adults and $7.50 for students and seniors. Tickets are available for purchase online and at the door, however, purchasing in advance online is recommended due to limited seating. Parking is free.

The first scene in the play offers a modern take on the comedy that was written in the late 16th century.

“Our production is set in a backstage of a high school, and it’s a bunch of students playing a Dungeons and Dragons game and then the story comes to life out of the game,” said Tim Gallagher, Assistant Professor of Theatre and Theatre Arts Coordinator, adding, “It’s still in the Shakespearean language.”

The production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” includes MCCC students Ramiz Aliaj, Beran Amzaji, Matt Burns, Sydney Cain-Frazier, Sebastian Catalano, Emily Cerequas, Holden Cherelli, Leigh Collins, Jarach Cox, Adriana Cruz, Joshua Darden-Brown, Andrew DeVita, Dillon Diorio, Bre Freeman, Sunny Funkhouser, Ricky Lima, Jordan Hamim, Manny Haskell, Alyssa Hegerich, Ari Hollern, Finn Irvin, Bryheim Johnson, John Maggi, Heather Malarkey, Tiarah McGill, Joey Meed, Kat Morrow, Lex Storm, Seamus Sweeney, Ophelia (Icarus) Varady, Blair Ockershausen, Emmarose Thompson and Martice Williams.

The Program’s next performance by West End Student Theatre and MCCC Theatre Arts taking place on Nov. 17-19 is “Fortinbras” by Lee Blessing at MCCC’s Pottstown Campus’ North Hall (Room 228), 16 E. High Street, Pottstown. Tickets are $12 for adults and $7.50 for students and seniors and can be ordered online or purchased at the door. Free parking is available at MCCC’s South Hall, 101 College Drive, a short distance from North Hall.

Blessing wrote the play as a farce.

“The beginning of the play takes place at the final scene of Hamlet when everyone is dead,” Gallagher said. “As Fortinbras becomes king, the ghosts from the characters in Hamlet begin to haunt and taunt him in a very satirical way.”

The production of “Fortinbras” includes MCCC students Amanda Ackerman, Ava Ciriello, Colin Hogan, Dio Keane, Patrick McCann, John Morgeneier, Sairen Paul, Jesse Raab, Autumn Sherry, Dhruv Shetty, Lydia Turner, Olivia Wampler, Alanah Weber and Lori Yamashita.

Tied in with MCCC’s Theatre Program’s curriculum, students present two shows per semester.

“In the Theatre Production Workshop class, students work together, and they design and build the show,” Gallagher said. “The students design all of the costumes, scenery, sound and props.”

First level students, who are new to the program, learn the skills needed to put on a production with the help of upper-level students who have previous experience due to the length of time they have already been in the program.

“They are the leaders and designers and help mentor the new students through the process,” he said. “Our students pick, design and build the plays – they are a part of the entire process.”

Some students choose to solely focus on design and being technicians and others might opt to try out for a part in the play.

“Auditions are open to anyone who attends the College,” Gallagher said. “You don’t have to be a part of the Theatre Program to be in a student production.”

The student productions are a highlight for the Program’s students each semester.

“Each show is really a big deal for us,” Gallagher said. “It’s a huge effort the students put forth to make this happen.”

Gallagher enjoys seeing how passionate the students are in bringing each production to life.

“They learn a good method of working that focuses on process and not product,” he said.

Gallagher said he is amazed by watching the students pull off the productions with their varying levels of experience.

“As they train here, it’s amazing to watch them learn a really good process, whether they are acting or designing, and then to see these students mentor each other through a good process is impressive and affirming,” he said.