Fall 2020 End-of-Semester Updates from ACC Drama
NEWS and UPDATES
Happy Holidays from the Drama Department at ACC!

Please join us (virtually) for our end-of-semester showcase:
"Fall 2020 Curtain Call."
And take a look ahead at our plans for Spring!

Our best to you and yours!
radiopidemic Season 1
Congress Bridge Episodes 1-12
are now all available on the
ACC Drama Department
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT:

SELENA FRANCO




Interview by Jamie Rogers
Where are you from? 

I am from a small, but fast-growing town called Porter. It is on the outskirts of Houston, Texas.

Were you involved in theatre when you were in high school? Any past theatre experience on stage or behind the scenes? 

I was a part of theatre all four years of high school. My freshman year was theatre and the last three I was in theatre tech. I was focused more so on softball at that time, so I was only able to participate in one production my junior year. It was Music Man. I was a part of the crew and it was the most fun I ever had. It definitely confirmed the fact that I wanted to be a part of this crowd as my career. My favorite memory from that production was our second show. A couple of girls and I were getting ready to move a bigger prop piece and whoever was on curtains was moving too slow. So the crowd got a glimpse of us looking like deer in headlights. It was hilarious and after that, we made sure to contort ourselves behind the set pieces.

Why did you decide to pursue a career in Makeup Design?

I have always been interested in the process. I can’t give an exact reason as to why, but it is something that I have always come back to when thinking of a career. When I learned that I could actually go to school to do makeup, that was it. I was in. I can sit for hours watching behind the scenes of different films. I like to hear and see what the actors go through when they have to sit for hours at a time getting their makeup done.

Can you tell us about your interest in horror/gore makeup? 

Gore makeup is honestly the most interesting type of makeup to me. Plus, I like to freak people out. I used to watch Glam & Gore (Mykie) on YouTube all the time along with a couple of others, but she stands out the most. It just kind of happened. It’s not the best of answers and kind of hard to explain, but it just feels like I was meant to do it. I’ve always been creative and even before I knew anything about SFX in about the 6th grade, I was creating cuts with pens and markers.
Makeup Designs
(Photos by Selena Franco)
What were the reasons you decided to enroll in the AAS Degree program at Austin Community College? 
 
I wanted to find something close to my home. Going out of state was my absolute last option. I was always looking for programs closer to the Houston area, but nothing came up that intrigued me or that specialized in makeup. Finally, I came across ACC, and it just looked perfect. It had everything I was looking for!

Any favorite classes in the Drama Department and why? Important things you have learned so far? 

So far all of the classes have been fun! All of the teachers have been so kind and helpful. Out of the classes I have taken so far, I think either stage makeup or costume design with Stephanie has been my favorite. The main thing I have learned so far is that there is definitely a lot more than just applying makeup. I used to think it was just thinking of what you want to and doing it. But now I know that there is a whole design process. I’ve also learned that it is great to learn about other aspects of theatre so that way you can be a “utility player” as they would say in softball. 

Any favorite ACC Drama Production? 

Since this is only my second semester, I haven’t had the privilege of seeing many. The only one I was able to enjoy was Harry and the Thief, which was amazing and funny. 

Do you attend school and have outside employment? If so, how do you find a balance between work and drama department involvement? 

I have yet to find a balance between work and school, so as of now I am solely focusing on school. 

How has the transition been to online learning for Fall 2020 classes?

It wasn’t that bad since I had experience with online classes before. The best thing is that I got to go home to Houston.
 
Any overall advice to give to current Drama Majors on ways to get them involved in the Department? 

The best advice I can give is to get your work done early so you can make time for yourself. Self-care is so important, especially right now. It is so easy to put things out until the last minute, which causes unnecessary stress. Make small goals. Get a planner! I will write down assignments on the days I want to have them finished by and it helps me stay on track by doing at least one thing a day.

What does the future hold? 

Success and happiness. I am moving one step at a time. Success is measured by what you feel is fit. So for me continuing my classes and loving myself is the best type of success. Which then will bring happiness by default!
ACC Drama recently had a tour of our new home
at Highland Campus Building 2000.
Here are some photos of our beautiful,
state-of-the-art Black Box Theatre.
Registration for Spring 2021
ACC Drama AA and AAS Courses
is now open for current and former ACC Students
GREG ROMERO'S short play, The Elephant and the Light in Claire's Suitcase, is now published in the anthology, The Weirdest Plays of 2020.

JAMIE ROGERS directed a production of The Laramie Project with the Palace Performance Company at the Georgetown Palace Theatre. Performances will take place to limited audiences this weekend, December 18-20.

KRISTEN ROGERS directed a new one-man show written by and starring Jaston Williams (of Greater Tuna fame), which will be presented virtually. I Saw the Lights was filmed at the State Theatre in Austin, and it will stream on January 29, 2021 at 7:00pm. Tickets are available at: https://tickets.austintheatre.org/6333/6334

CALLING ALL ACC DRAMA ALUMNI!
Be sure to join the ACC Alumni Network!

The ACC Alumni Network is open to all former students who have earned an associate degree or certificate, or completed at least 20 credit hours at ACC. Our mission is to promote and support our alumni and students in their educational, social and professional endeavors, and to foster a spirit of loyalty and lifelong connections to Austin Community College.
You can always keep
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ACC Drama Department
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