STUDENT PERFORMERS SHINE IN PERFORMING ARTS SERIES
Theater never goes dark. Instead, a single lightbulb illuminates an empty stage after a performance has ended and everyone has gone home. This longstanding tradition serves as the inspiration for a new virtual theater showcase coordinated by the Haugh Performing Arts Center.
The "Ghost Light Series" features recorded performances submitted by students, alumni and faculty from the Citrus College Visual and Performing Arts Division. Featured on the Haugh's Facebook page, these individual pieces represent many disciplines, including theater arts, dance and vocal and instrumental music.
"Our season is on hold due to the efforts to reduce the spread of COVID-19, so the Haugh is temporarily closed," said Tiina Mittler, director of the Haugh Performing Arts Center. "We created this series to provide Citrus College students with a stage during this uncertain time. Our original goal was to show them practicing their disciplines; however, this one idea has blossomed into a collaborative effort involving the entire division."
The Haugh has received a wide variety of submissions since the series was first launched on March 24, six days after Citrus College transitioned to a remote learning environment.
"Some faculty have chosen to utilize this series as a performance requirement for their classes. In many cases, the students are performing solo at home, in their cars or at parks. The videos are mostly shot on cell phones and feature everything from songs to sonnets to dance pieces," Ms. Mittler said. "Students have learned the ukulele, challenged themselves to play new songs on the guitar, choreographed their own dance numbers and written their own songs. The creativity is inspiring!"
The "Ghost Light Series" has also paved the way for additional social media content. For example, "The Follow Spot" showcases performances with notable alumni and faculty, "Back Stage Pass" shows viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the Haugh scene shop and "Under Work Lights" provides a glimpse of the college's emerging theatre technologies program.
"I think it is very important right now for everyone in the performing world to continue learning, studying and honing our skills," said Jillian Hurte, a second-year student in the Citrus Singers program who submitted a video to the series. "Every day, I try to play a few songs on my guitar. I taught myself, but it is something that I am working on and I am trying to use this time to grow."
This article originally appeared in the May 2020 edition of the Citrus View.