Nineteen-year-old Rebecca Lawson struts across the stage, her arms swinging freely in opposition. The music causing a spring in the musical theater major’s step while her tilted baseball cap adds some sass. Lawson is getting ready for the latest production from Ventura College.

In a collaborative effort not attmepted in years, the Ventura College Theatre Arts Department, Dance Department and Opera Workshop are teaming up to present a show, “The World Goes Round.”

“It’s about life and being excited about life. People in the world working together and living it to its fullest. Expect exciting dance numbers and fun songs,” said Lawson.

“The World Goes Round” is a musical revue featuring the music of songwriting team John Kander and Fred Ebb with songs from famous movies and shows such as “Cabaret,” “Funny Girl,” and “New York, New York.”

The show is being performed in Guthrie Hall due to the renovation of the Performing Arts Center. While the theater won’t be completed until Jan. 2012, the cast and crew haven’t had a solid home base for rehearsals because they have had to share the space with other classes.

“When they remodel like that, you can’t go in there,” said theater professor and director Judy Garey. “We’re homeless gypsies.”

However, the nomadic lifestyle doesn’t sway the objective for the learning experience of putting on a show, but perhaps enhances it.

The goal of all three departments is to advance performers in their craft. The skills the students learn, however, are ones they can carry on into any field they go into, not just musical theater. 

“You learn how to solve problems,” said Garey. “Putting on a play is a big puzzle. You learn how to think creatively and critically and use your mind to figure things out. There’s a lot of good thinking skills and life skills that are part of this whole operation we’re doing.”

Cast member Toby Tropper however, believes the smaller space adds an extra sense to the performance. “In Guthrie Hall, the theater is so much smaller and spacing is so much more intimate that I think it really works well for this kind of show where you want to have the audience connect with what the characters are singing and dancing about,” said the 18-year-old theater major.

And putting on a damn good show is just an added benefit.

“When everybody participates and you have a really exciting, good show, it is the most tremendous high you can imagine to know that you were able to do that,” said Garey.

The students also recognize the importance of doing shows such as these at community college level, including Lawson, who said she would use the skills she gains from “The World Goes Round” outside of theater.

“This is much more serious than anything I’ve ever done. So I’ve learned you have to be there be on time, do everything full out and you’ll succeed,” said Lawson. “I’ve learned a lot form the directors and it’s so exhilarating to have this experience. My life would be so different if I haven’t done shows like this. I’d be a completely different person.” 

“The World Goes Round” opens Friday, April 23 and runs through May 2. Friday and Saturday performances begin at 8 p.m. with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. General admission tickets are $17 while students, staff and seniors are $15. All tickets are available at the door of Guthrie Hall. For more information, contact Judy Garey at 654-6400 ext.3236 or [email protected].