As the fall semester comes to a close, the Performing Arts Center is in full swing with many departments taking part in holiday festivities.

From theatrical troupes and music ensemble performances to comedies and tragedies, the Performing Arts Center has been busy this fall.

During the end of November and throughout December there will be at least multiple events taking place at the Performing Arts Center for the enjoyment of students and the public alike.

One Acts Nov. 28 – Dec. 8

The “Student One Acts” begin on Nov. 28 and will wrap up on Dec. 8. There are a variety of dates set to accommodate all people wanting to attend. This series of One Acts has the next generation of playwrights and screenwriters showcasing original pieces of work that Moorpark College theater students have written, produced and directed.

John Loprieno, the Theatre Arts Department Chair and professor overseeing the “Student One Acts”, commented on the originality of the “Student One Acts” and the opportunities it is giving Moorpark College students.

“I didn’t touch original work until graduate school,” said Loprieno. “Moorpark [College] students know how to do it all. They know how to light it, they know how to direct it, they know how to do the props, they are so self-sufficient, and they really understand the whole theatrical process.”

Styles are ranging from comedy to tragedy with these theater students celebrating their culture, generation and daily challenges of going to college in this day and age. The One Acts are for mature audiences and not intended for children. Check in on the Performing Arts Center web page for more information on the individual plays because there are two separate bills, each containing different acts, for these productions.

“I have no favorites, they’re like my children,” said Loprieno, when asked if he favored a particular “Student One Act”. “They’re all good in different ways.”

Fall Forensics Showcase Dec. 4 & 5

Crowds have definitely shown up in the past for the Moorpark College speech and debate team and once again they will be bringing their “Fall Forensics Showcase” back this semester. The team has won 10 national titles in 15 years and is the number one Community College Forensics Team in the United States. Tuesday and Wednesday, Dec 4 and 5, the students will be bringing speeches and performances to the Performing Arts Center.

Club M Improv Dec. 4

The Film-Television-Media arts department (FTVM) is returning with a night of Club M Improv on Tuesday, December 4 with “Get Elfed Up!” This particular event is live-webcast and a cooperative production of the Theater, Music, Graphics and Film-Television-Media Programs written, directed, and produced entirely by the students.

Professor Michael Grimes, a Moorpark College Film-Television-Media Faculty member and TV/Radio Production Specialist, went into detail about the Club M Improv event. He described how the students of each participating department are working this production purely for fun and experience in both the Fall and Spring semesters.

“It’s not a class assignment,” said Grimes. “This is one that the students literally do every semester because they want to. We’ve been doing them about ten years now, and the students that produce this are doing so because it gives them a forefront stage to work their material out in front of a live studio audience.”

Holiday Spectacular Dec. 14 – 16

The Theater, Music, and Dance departments come together once again as the fall semester of events culminates in the first-ever Holiday Spectacular. Featuring both classic, contemporary and traditional holiday entertainment with some musical comedy thrown in with a twist of festivity fun, this new addition to the Performing Arts Center line-up will become a regular part of family holiday celebrations.

Fine Arts students are coming together to perform on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, December 14 through the 16, which truly bring joy and embrace the holiday season with full choral presentations to excerpts from A Christmas Carol.

Loprieno is keeping himself busy with directing the Holiday Spectacular as well. He commented on the various groups helping out with the festive event including Music, Theater and Dance with stage productions. Film-Television-Media will spearhead the holiday media visuals in the lobby, and the Makerspace will create seasonal decorations as well as a DJ from the Music program will perform in the campus quad.

“It’s the first time we’ve done this,” said Loprieno. “It’s the kind of thing that our students would love to see. They’ll have a lot of friends up there on stage, and it’s something you can bring your family to. It’s kind of our holiday celebration for our community.”

For information dates, times, tickets and locations for the Moorpark College Performing Arts Center events contact the Box Office at (805) 378-1485 or check their website. The Performing Arts Center is also currently offering a 20% off ticket special for those who purchase their tickets online for most of these events.