Heather and David discuss an uncertain future in San Jacinto College’s (SJC) production of “Shaken,” a poignant comedy written by SJC professor Dr. David LeMaster. SJC graduate Jay Thomas portrays David, and guest artist Kelly Cornell portrays Heather. Photo credit: Rob Vanya, San Jacinto College marketing department.

College extends ‘Shaken’ for 2 shows

Rob Vanya, August 30, 2010

PASADENA, Texas — San Jacinto College Central’s theatre and film department will extend “Shaken” for two special  performances on Friday, Sept. 3, and Saturday, Sept. 4. All proceeds from the Sept. 3 show will be donated to the Houston Area Parkinson Society.

The College presented the world premiere of “Shaken” on Aug. 27, with plans to run for one weekend only. The performance was so well received that Dr. Jerry Ivins, director of the show, decided to extend the show as a way to help the fight against Parkinson’s disease.

“We encourage the community to come out and enjoy this humorous, entertaining, and often poignant show, while also helping to find a cure for this disorder,” Ivins commented.

“Shaken” is an inspirational dark comedy written by Dr. David LeMaster, a widely published English professor at the College. The Sept. 3, and Sept. 4 performances will be presented at 7:30 p.m. in the Powell Arena Theatre on the Central campus, located at 8060 Spencer Hwy., in Pasadena.

“Shaken” is a chronicle of LeMaster’s struggle with early-onset Parkinson’s disease. “Heavily influenced by Charlie Chaplin, Jimmy Durante, Buster Keaton, and the Marx Brothers, the play takes a comedic, Vaudevillian approach to a serious subject and teaches us to laugh in the face of adversity,” commented LeMaster.

In addition to teaching at the College, LeMaster is a prolific author. He has written over 50 short stories and plays, many of which are children’s plays produced by Brooklyn Publishers. He is serving as the resident playwright for “Shaken,” working closely with the cast and crew during rehearsals at the Powell Arena Theatre.

“I’ve written all my life, and writing is my passion, so when I learned of my illness I instantly knew I wanted to write about it,” he remarked. “I spent nearly a year writing a ‘memoir,’ but realized it wasn’t the right venue. My goal with the play is to help other people recognize their own challenges and discover themselves as they find methods to cope. Hopefully the audience will come to the conclusion I’ve taken from ‘Hamlet,’ which serves as the theme of my show: there is nothing good or bad but thinking makes it so.”

LeMaster says the goal of the production is not to vent or call attention to himself, but to educate the public in hopes of finding a cure, and to encourage viewers, healthy or not, to examine their own lives and to find their own senses of peace. “We all have afflictions,” he commented. “They are part of the human condition. ‘Shaken’ is for anyone with a physical or mental challenge, anyone who believes they’ve lost hope for tomorrow. You haven’t. Find your peace. Find your life.”

Admission to the fundraising performance is $10 per person. Tickets will be available at the door, and further information can be obtained by calling 281-542-2039, or by calling the Houston Area Parkinson Society at 713-626-7114.

San Jacinto College serves a diverse population of more than 27,000 students in over 140 degrees and certificates in university transfer and technical programs. The College also serves the community through workforce training. Students come to San Jacinto College with various goals and aspirations and we are committed to their success. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

For more information about San Jacinto College, please call 281-998-6150, or visit www.sanjac.edu.

Contact: Rob Vanya