MESA, Arizona – July 19, 2023 – The Mesa Community College (MCC) Theatre & Film Arts Department proudly presents its 2023-2024 mainstage season full of comedy, drama and tragedy.
“Tickets are now on sale and season passes are available,” said Mace Archer, MCC faculty and co-director of the Theatre & Film Arts department. “Theatre patrons will be able to enjoy all four shows for the price of two. Plus, performances will showcase our outstanding students and faculty who recently received recognition at the 2023 Region VIII Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF).”
The season begins with “The Play That Goes Wrong” by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields. In this classic murder mystery story, there has been an untimely death at a country manor. Everyone is a suspect, and an inspector is set on the case to find who the culprit is. However, when this play is performed by the accident-prone thespians of The Cornley Drama Society, everything that can go wrong…does! The actors and crew battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call, with hilarious consequences! From Mischief, the creators of the West End smash “Peter Pan Goes Wrong,” critically acclaimed TV series “The Goes Wrong Show,” and the Tony-winning Broadway hit, “The Play That Goes Wrong,” this is the original one-act play which started everything going wrong. Expect a plethora of disasters from missed lines to falling props. Do you ever find out who murdered Charles Haversham? You’ll have to see for yourself! This classic mystery runs October 6-14.
The next performance is, “Everything in the Garden,” by Edward Albee from the play by Giles Cooper. The scene is the suburban home of Jenny and Richard. The only thing that seems to stand in the way of their happiness is a lack of money. Then there enters a Mrs. Toothe who offers Jenny the opportunity to make more money than they have ever had, to buy a greenhouse and all the other luxuries that they require for their garden and their lives. Performances are December 1-9.
In “Invincible Ones” by Samantha Cooper, a group of women face what their lives look like in the aftermath of their best friend's death. In the wake of loss, they each attempt to answer seemingly unanswerable questions: Who will give the eulogy? Will they ever be able to live alone? Why did that girls brother show up? Drawing on roller derby culture, “Invincible Ones” explores the way we handle grief, guilt and a constant drip from the heavens (apartment) above. Performances are March 1-9.
The final show of the season, “She Kills Monsters” tells the story of Agnes Evans as she leaves her childhood home in Ohio following the death of her teenage sister, Tilly. When Agnes finds Tilly's Dungeons & Dragons notebook, she finds herself catapulted into a journey of action-packed adventure in the imaginary world that was her sister's refuge. In this high-octane dramatic comedy laden with homicidal fairies, nasty ogres and ‘90s pop culture, acclaimed playwright Qui Nguyen offers a heart pounding homage to the geek and warrior within us all. Performances are April 26-May 4.
Tickets for individual performances are $12 for the general public and $9 for students, alumni, seniors, faculty, staff and military. Purchase tickets at mesacc.edu/arts.
Season passes for mainstage performances are available at the Theatre box office. The cost is $24 for the general public and $18 for students, alumni, seniors, faculty, staff and military; allowing patrons to see four shows for the price of two. Box office hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For more information, call the box office at (480) 461-7172.
Learn more about the MCC Theatre & Film Arts program at mesacc.edu/programs/theatre.
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Media contact: Dawn Zimmer, dawn.zimmer@mesacc.edu or 480-461-7892
Mesa Community College is nationally recognized for university transfer, career and technical programs, civic engagement, service-learning and innovative approaches to education. On average MCC students provide 23,000 hours of community service annually. For more than 50 years, the college has served as a resource for education, workforce development and lifelong learning. Host to more than 25,400 students annually, MCC offers degree and certificate programs at its two campuses and additional locations through a combination of modalities. MCC is transforming how it champions student success through Guided Pathways with Integrated Support Services and a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. MCC is a Hispanic Serving Institution with nearly 50% of its students being the first in their families to attend college. MCC has the largest indigenous student population of all the Maricopa Community Colleges; its American Indian Institute serves students from the 22 federally recognized Arizona tribes as well as out-of-state tribes. The diverse student body includes hundreds of international students from around the world. Award-winning faculty are dedicated to student success, providing the education and training that empowers MCC students to attain their goals. Located in the East Valley of Phoenix, Arizona, on the traditional territories of the O'odham, Piipaash and Yavapai Peoples, MCC is one of 10 colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District. Visit mesacc.edu to learn more.
An education in Theatre & Film Arts at MCC provides a valuable base from which to launch careers in film, television, stage, management, marketing, advertising, law, politics, theology, social work, or therapeutic fields. Students are provided opportunities to work with industry professionals from across the country and be successful at national competitions such as the national Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and the AriZoni Theatre Awards of Excellence. Experience ranges from acting, design, writing, directing and serving as a crew member in a variety of productions.
Mesa Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) -- hlcommission.org.
The Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is an EEO/AA institution and an equal opportunity employer of protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or national origin. A lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in the career and technical education programs of the District. MCCCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability or age in its programs or activities. For Title IX/504 concerns, call the following number to reach the appointed coordinator: (480) 731-8499. For additional information, as well as a listing of all coordinators within the Maricopa College system, visit maricopa.edu/non-discrimination.