Clark College Theatre concludes its 2013-14 season with Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead by Bert V. Royal. A breakout hit when it debuted at the New York International Fringe Festival, this challenging work operates both as a comedic deconstruction of an American icon and as a poignant examination of the hurdles facing modern youth. The production is directed by Theatre Department Chair H. Gene Biby and runs May 2-17.

An “unauthorized parody,” Dog Sees God imagines characters from the popular comic strip Peanuts as teenagers. Drug use, suicide, eating disorders, teen violence, rebellion, sex and sexual identity are among the issues covered in this drama. Royal builds on the foundation of Charles Schulz’s iconic comic strip, creating a parody that’s also a stand-alone play apt to resonate even with those who belong to that small population segment unfamiliar with Peanuts.

“Using iconic cartoon characters as his basis, Royal examines the big questions about life, love and the pursuit of happiness,” says Biby. “Additionally, he takes a hard look at current societal issues including bullying, drug use, and sexuality. Royal provides a humorous yet often poignant look at our lives through the lens of these much-loved characters.”

The cast includes seasoned actors who are current or former Clark College students: James Martine, Elena Mack, Garrett Dabbs, JD Carpenter, Sam Ruble, Keren Garcia, Danielle Weddle, and Emily Wells. Production includes strong language and adult themes.

Show Dates: May 2, 3, 9, 10, 15, 16, and 17. All show times are at 7:30 p.m. May 10, there will be a 2:00 p.m. matinee.

Ticket Information: Students (with ID) $9; Alumni (with membership) $9; Senior Citizens $11; General Admission $13. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Clark College Bookstore in Gaiser Hall, online at http://www.clarkbookstore.com/site_theatre.asp, or call 360-992-2815.

If you need accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event, contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services Office at 360-992-2314 or 360-991-0901 (VP), or visit Gaiser Hall room 137, two weeks before the event.

“See, I always figured on the future. I banked on it. I was banking on it getting better. … I figured that’s why everyone wants you to buy things. Buy refrigerators. Buy cars, house, lots, invest. They wouldn’t be so generous if they didn’t figure you had it comin’ in. At some point it had to be comin’ in.” –Weston, Curse of the Starving Class

Clark College Theatre opens its 2013-14 season with a mordant examination of American aspiration, Curse of the Starving Class by Sam Shepard. Winner of the 1976-77 Obie Award for best new American play, this is a major work by one of theatre’s most respected and celebrated writers. The production is directed by Mark Owsley and runs Nov. 8 – 23.

At once dark and absurdist, comic and challenging, Curse of the Starving Class focuses on the dysfunctional Tate clan—the drunken dreamer of a father, burned-out mother, rebellious teenage daughter, and idealistic son—as they struggle for control of the rundown family farm in a futile search for freedom, security, and ultimately meaning in their lives. Clark College Theatre Program Director Gene Biby says, “Given the recent economic crisis, the issues raised in this drama are as relevant today as they were 35 years ago.”

Cast includes Derek J. Neiman (Weston), Emily Wells (Ella), Katie Lindstrom (Emma), Nicholas Detering (Wesley), and Andy Houseman (Taylor). Production includes nudity, strong language, and adult themes.

Show Dates: November 8, 9, 15, 16, 21, 22, and 23. All show times are at 7:30 p.m. November 16, there will also be a 2:00 p.m. matinee.

Ticket Information: Students (with ID) $9; Alumni (with membership) $9; Senior Citizens $11; General Admission $13. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Clark College Bookstore in Gaiser Hall, online, or by calling 360-992-2815. All shows held in the Decker Theatre in Frost Arts Center.

If you need accommodation due to a disability in order to fully participate in this event, contact Clark College’s Disability Support Services Office at 360-992-2314 or 360-991-0901 (VP), or visit Gaiser Hall room 137, two weeks before the event.

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

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On the evening of February 21^, the Clark College Theatre Department opened its doors to students and community members for the dress rehearsal of the winter quarter musical, “RENT.”  Forty of those community members were students from the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Washington, brought on a trip organized by Clark College Admissions and Student Recruitment.

RENT–a Tony Award-winning musical that covers issues of sexuality, drug use, and AIDS–can be challenging for younger audiences. Youth were required to have permission slips signed by parents in order to attend the show. Afterward, they had a chance to participate in a panel discussion with all of the actors, where the youth asked questions about some of the subjects that they witnessed in the play, how actors prepared for their role and how each person decided which character they wanted to be.

Clark College Theatre instructor Gene Biby, who directed RENT, worked with Admissions and Recruitment to make the event a success. He arranged the panel of actors and facilitated the question-and-answer session.

“We received nothing but positive feedback from both students and chaperones of the Boys and Girls Club and hope to arrange similar visits with the theater department in the future,” said Student Recruitment Specialist Narek Daniyelyan. “Big thanks to the wonderful staff of the Boys and Girls Club of Southwest Washington, who continuously partner with Clark College and share the advantages of attending Clark with their students. Special thanks to all of the actors who were willing to stay late to talk to the youth of our community.”

Photo: Clark College/Jenny Shadley