The Multicultural Theater Project will allow Pepperdine students to showcase their talents in a show that promotes an understanding of diversity on campus.
“[The project] tries to create a community that has conversation about diversity and raises questions about diversity on campus said Assistant Professor of English Joi Carr.
Auditions were held Thursday Nov. 5. After months of rehearsals, the show will commence in the spring semester. Students will get three chances to see it on Feb. 11, 12 and 13.
It’s in the Raitt Recital Hall at 7:30 on Thursday Friday and Saturday night Carr said.
All of the shows are free and open to any interested Pepperdine students.
The project focuses on diversity between races, classes and genders on the Pepperdine campus with the benefit of giving students a better understanding of their fellow Waves.
It creates awareness on our campus of intercultural cooperation said Associate Dean for Student Affairs Tabatha Jones.
Intercultural Affairs Director Don Lawrence said the project can be a service the campus.
I think it’s awesome he said. I think a lot of people are more interested in seeing and hearing about multicultural ideas and thoughts if it’s placed in the context of art and drama and theater.”
Carr developed the program with the help of Jones former Pepperdine professor Erika Albright and Cathy Thomas-Grant assistant professor of theater and chair of the Fine Arts Division.
Carr estimates the play has been a tradition for about 10 years.
“I helped facilitate what was really an incredible experience for students and it really has had such a transformative effect on our campus Jones said. I also provided administrative support in the past.”
Carr has also worked with the Intercultural Affairs Office and Lawrence.
“My office is obviously interested in issues related to multiculturalism Lawrence said.
The role of the ICA is mostly behind the scenes, Lawrence added.
The ICA is involved in the Multicultural Theater Project basically administratively Lawrence said. My office is managing the distribution of funds relative to the event helping with advertizing and adding logistical support to Carr as she needs it from me.”
Lawrence in addition to working administratively with the project endorses it for its benefits to students.
“The ICA is definitely deeply supportive of it he said.
Carr is now the director of the program and creates the scripts annually. The student affairs and the humanities division are involved in this process as well.
It’s always an original production Carr said.
She does more than scripting this original production when it comes to putting the show together. She writes the job descriptions and provides all of the parameters for the students as well.
A lot of work goes into the project Lawrence said. Dr. Carr does everything along with the help of students she hires. I would guess that it’s hundreds of hours that she puts into this project.”
This year the show will focus on the Jazz Age.
“It’s just going to be fun and raise questions about the ’20s and why it was a significant decade in American history Carr said.
Lawrence and the show’s coordinators hope that this project will garner the interest of students and faculty alike.
It’s a new way to look at what the jazz age is really about Lawrence added. It will give our students some cultural capital to understand what the jazz age really meant.”
The show is not restricted to any one type of talent. In fact it molds around the talents of the students included.
“Depending on who auditions I create more roles Carr said. Not everyone but almost everyone gets in.”
“One of the things that I’ve really loved about this program is that it hasn’t necessarily attracted the people you’d expect to see on the stage Jones added. I’ve really found that Joi has the talent to take someone that is really the diamond in the rough and help them live out their best self on stage.”
Fourteen students auditioned for the project after auditions on Thursday Nov. 5. Carr said there are other positions open for the project.
“Students can audition for the show or be a student coordinator Carr said. They’re like my right hand. They help develop the script and they’re the liaison between me and the students in the production.”
The events coordinators want to ensure that students are aware of the upcoming show and that the turnout is exceptional.
“Just the word of mouth and the influence of the peer group has the influence to get people plugged in Jones said.
Event coordinators are relying on students who are involved to do their parts in getting the word out.
There’s a lot of work in getting the word out about it Lawrence. We need the students to talk about it that are involved in it. We need faculty to engage our students in it as well.”
The coordinators think that with the proper advertisement this show can become a very beneficial experience for students.
“I think we’re really excited to see it continue to flourish and we’re looking forward to a fantastic show in the spring Jones said.