By Melody Ortiz
The East Los Angeles College Theater Arts department will be showcasing a collection of students’ stage work.
The showcase will present the work of student designers and technicians. Work will include costumes, set models, sound, lighting and everything else found on stage during a performance, other than actors.
“When you see theater, you can’t always get up close to things,” said Professor Jessica Hansen, who directs the showcase. “And so this is a cool opportunity for people to be able to [get a close up of the work].”
Hansen wants to let the students show off the projects they put so much work into.
“We’ll sometimes build something super elaborate and it’s on stage for two seconds and we’re like, ‘great,’” Hansen said.
Some work will be from previous and current plays while others will be class projects. ELAC student David Sanchez said he is putting in a couple of costume pieces because he wants to show off something he made for the play “Blood Wedding,” as well as a piece he made for class.
The showcase is also an opportunity for student work to be seen by potential employers.
Hansen said students need to put together portfolios that show off their work, in order to transfer or get jobs.
“We invite outside industry people to come look at their work,” Hansen said.
The showcase will be held May 30 and 31 from noon to 4 p.m. at ELAC’s Proscenium Theater in the P2 building.
An artist reception will be on May 30 from noon to 1 p.m.
Hansen will be teaching a course in the fall titled, Orientation to Technical Careers in Entertainment, which helps students with resumes, portfolios, networking and more.
It will also have a few costume construction courses.
Students can follow the department’s Instagram, @elactheatre or the Facebook page, East L.A. College Department of Theater Arts.
For any questions on future courses, students can contact Professor Hansen via email at hansenjl@elac.edu.