Performing arts hosts summer events

By Chloe Gregg
Associate Editor

After a two-year summer hiatus due to COVID-19, LCC Performing Arts is hosting three upcoming summer performances for students, faculty and community members to enjoy.

These three events will be held on LCC’s Outdoor Amphitheatre, located between the Gannon Building, HHS building, and A&S building.

From Wednesday, June 22 to Sunday, June 26, LCC Performing Arts will present “Romeo and Juliet.” This production will be directed by new theatre faculty Kevin O’Callaghan, who has made some adaptations to the piece to reflect his own concept.

“I don't want to give too much away, but he's set the action in the present day at a protest,” said Paige Tufford-Dunckel, the LCC performing arts coordinator. “It sounds really fun.

“We're also excited to bring in an artist in residence, Paul Molnar, for the production. Paul is an alumnus of the theatre program and has had a very successful career in both professional and academic theatre for the past 30 years.”

Molnar will be playing Capulet, as well as serving as the fight choreographer for the production, according to Tufford-Dunckel. Molnar will also be conducting master classes and workshops in stage combat for students in which to participate, but dates have yet to be announced.

On Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30, LCC Performing Arts will be hosting “DANCE Lansing,” a community dance project including LCC, Happendance and DANCE Lansing. This event is co-sponsored by LCC and Happendance.

“This event is amazing in that it brings together choreographers and dancers from our community to produce an amazing concert,” Tufford-Dunckel said. “I can't wait to see what they bring. This concert never disappoints. We have so much talent in our community and we're proud to help make this happen.”

From Wednesday, Aug. 3 to Sunday, Aug. 7, LCC Performing Arts will present a child-friendly play called “Wiley and Hairy Man.” This story is about a young boy overcoming his fears in a swamp.

“It's an interesting script that makes use of a chorus of actors to create the swamp environment through movement and sound,” Tufford-Dunckel said. “(It is) a lovely piece of theatre that tackles the issues many young people struggle with – and adults – of facing and overcoming our fears. The play is entertaining on so many levels, and it's definitely a feel-good piece of theatre.”

Audiences are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets, and even a picnic dinner, to make their experience more comfortable. There will be concessions for sale during these presentations to help support the Theatre/Dance scholarship funds. If there is rain, the location of the event will be the Gannon Commons.

For more information, visit the LCC Performing Arts website or the Facebook page.