Take your seats: Whittier College’s 2023-24 theater and film season announced

Whittier College’s Department of Theatre, Film, and Communication Arts is ready for an entertaining season. The Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts will host three live productions and the annual Student Film Festival at the college this academic year.

It is the college’s first full season of in-person performances since the COVID-19 pandemic.

“As a department, we are excited to be again producing a fully realized, new season and we look forward to welcoming back our in-person audiences,” Professor Jennifer Holmes said.

Where Words Once Were

Written by Finegan Kruckemeyer and presented by special arrangement with the playwright, this dystopian play takes place in a time where language is rationed. The young hero Orhan discovers that a word can change the world when a sentence can get you sentenced — and the silent are rising. This contemporary work was commissioned and first produced by the Kennedy Center for the Arts in Washington, D.C.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5-7 and 2 p.m. Oct. 8.

All in the Timing

This play is actually six, one-act comedies written by David Ives. All equally hysterical, audiences can expect a witty, romantic, absurd, and existentially minded evening of theater.

The play is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service and performances are at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 30 and Dec. 1, and 2 p.m. Dec. 2-3.

Those interested in auditioning can email the director, Professor Katie Liddicoat, at kliddicoat@whittier.edu. Auditions will be held Oct. 6.

Catch Me If You Can, The Musical

Based on the hit film featuring Tom Hanks and Leonardo DiCaprio — and incredible true story — this musical is about chasing your dreams and not getting caught.

Nominated for four Tony awards, including Best Musical, this delightfully entertaining show was created by a Tony Award-winning dream team with a book by Terrence McNally and a swinging score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. It is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International.

Performances are April 4-7 and auditions will be held later this fall. Those interested can email Jennifer Holmes at jholmes@whittier.edu for more information.

All shows are at the Robinson Theatre, 6760 Painter Ave. Ticket prices are $15 for general admission, $10 for alumni, and $5 for students. For ticket information and reservations, contact Debra Eckloff at 562.907.4901.

Lastly, the department will present the annual Whittier College Student Film Festival in late April. The department invites you to this cumulative and interactive festival that features screenings of short films written and directed by students followed by a Q&A.