Theater students to participate in LA showcase

Graduating acting and music theater students performed in the LA showcase on Tuesday.  

Students performed at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles, California. They had a chance to perform for industry professionals, interact with LA actors and participate in workshops at Ross Lacey casting, ABC Studios and Joe Anthony Studios.  

Brian Parsons, associate dean for the school of theater, is in charge of the showcase, alongside Production Coordinator Angela Polk and Tim Fall, visiting professor of on-camera acting. Kristen Cerelli, visiting assistant professor of acting, also helped coach students on their performances. 

“The showcase preparations are in great shape,” Parsons said. “We are excited by the opportunity to present our seniors’ work in front of LA industry professionals.”  

Jackson Walker, music theater senior, said the senior class was excited for the showcase.  

“The senior class is very eager, and wants to put on a good showcase,” Walker said. 

Walker said he attributes any rumors of unpreparedness to the usual and expected stress with the performing students, as well as a lack of communication. 

“I think people were a little stressed, just because this is a new experience for all of us, and the fact that the showcase is slightly different this year from years past, and we didn’t know that until last minute,” he said. “So the plan was being planned, but we weren’t really privy to it the whole time. But everything is fine, and now everyone is very chill, very excited about it.” 

Walker said the students calmed down after a meeting wherein the whole plan was laid out in detail. 

“I think it was just that moment of not knowing what was happening that was causing people to stress out and say, ‘It’s a mess. We don’t know whats going on,’” he said. 

The showcase presented a combination of live and filmed performances.  

“We’re one of the only [college showcases] ones that does filmed scenes in our LA showcase, so people really like to come and watch it,” Walker said. “We have a really good reputation there.”