From left, San Jacinto College student Cory Mundy, guest artist Joe Franco, and Richard Turner (San Jacinto College theatre professor) rehearse a scene from “The Pillowman,” which will be performed at the Central Campus on Oct. 18 as part of the Texas State Festival. Photo by Rob Vanya, San Jacinto College marketing department.

San Jacinto College to host state theatre festival Oct. 18-20

Festival to feature 6 colleges, all shows open to the public

Rob Vanya, October 10, 2012

PASADENA, Texas — San Jacinto College’s production of the award-winning dark drama “The Pillowman” will be a highlight of the Texas State Festival, which is a part of the national Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF).

The festival, featuring performances by several colleges and universities, will be held Oct. 18-20 at the San Jacinto College Central Campus, 8060 Spencer Hwy. in Pasadena, with all performances being held at either the Slocomb Auditorium or at the smaller Powell Arena Theatre. All productions are open to the public, and admission is $10 per person for each show.

The Central Campus department of theatre and film’s showing of “The Pillowman” will take place in Powell Arena Theatre on Thursday, Oct. 18 at 9 p.m. The adults-only play by Irish playwright Martin McDonagh is rated “R” for adult language, violence, and graphic scenes.

“The Pillowman” won a Tony Award, a New York Drama Critics Award, and the 2004 Olivier Award in London for Best New Play. The story revolves around a writer in an unnamed totalitarian state who is being interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories and their similarities to a series of child murders. The play is billed as “an urgent work of theatrical bravura and an unflinching examination of the very nature and purpose of art.”

Other productions in the Texas State Festival include:

• Oct. 18, 11 a.m. – North Central Texas College performing “Around the World in Eighty Days” in Slocomb Auditorium

• Oct. 18, 6 p.m. – El Paso Community College performing “The Last Days of Judas Iscariot” in Slocomb Auditorium

• Oct. 19, 11 a.m. – Tarrant County College Southeast performing “Our Country’s Good” in Slocomb Auditorium

• Oct. 19, 6 p.m. – Texas A&M University Kingsville performing “Same as Sarah” in Slocomb Auditorium

• Oct. 20, 9 a.m. – Lone Star College Montgomery performing “Somebody/Nobody” in Powel Arena Theatre.

Selected productions from the Texas State Festival will be included in the KCACTF regional festival, to be held in Shreveport, La. in February.

For more information about fine arts programs at San Jacinto College, visit arts.sanjac.edu.

About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, industries and maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has been serving the citizens of East Harris County, Texas, for more than 50 years. The Achieving the Dream Leader College is committed to the goals and aspirations of a diverse population of 30,000 students in more than 200 degree and certificate options, including university transfer and career preparation. Students also benefit from the College’s job training programs, renowned for meeting the needs of growing industries in the region. San Jacinto College graduates contribute nearly $630 million each year to the Texas workforce. San Jacinto College. Your Goals. Your College.

For more information about San Jacinto College, please call 281-998-6150, or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.