PVCC Puma Press: March 2006

October 6, 2007 marks opening night of “Fiddler on the Roof,” the first Arizona Jewish Theatre Company (AJTC) production in the Center for the Performing Arts (CPA). As the curtain rises that night, the level of the performing arts program at the school rises with it.

For the first time in its 20-year history, the campus will host a resident professional theatre company, thanks to a three-year license agreement between MCCCD and AJTC. This collaboration promises numerous benefits to theatre lovers and students.

By moving its operation to the $6 million, 25,000 square foot Center for the Performing Arts, the AJTC delivers professional theatre to the North Valley. “This agreement deepens our connections with the North and Northwest Valley. The partnership will bring a significant number of new audience members to our campus for arts programming,” says Dr. Christopher Scinto, Division Chairman of Fine and Performing Arts.

Area residents can now enjoy high-quality theatre without the drive to downtown Phoenix, where the company performed for the past 19 years.

AJTC is one of the largest Jewish theatres in North America, has received numerous prestigious awards and has earned a reputation which garners national attention. It is expected to enhance the image of the school’s Performing Arts Program.

Students will reap the rewards by working with professional actors, directors, designers, playwrights and theatre technicians to learn the craft of theatre performance in a more direct and “hands-on” fashion, says Scinto.

Janet Arnold, producing director of AJTC, says she hopes to involve many PVCC departments in this alliance including theatre arts, visual arts, history and humanities. That cooperation has already begun.

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	Area residents can now enjoy high-quality theatre without the drive to downtown Phoenix
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Scinto is co-producer for “Fiddler.” “Two PVCC students have main roles in “Fiddler.” Four PVCC students are working behind the scenes as stage crew and in technical operations. Four PVCC students and three faculty members are playing in the 11-piece orchestra. Dan Kurek, adjunct faculty member and opera singer, serves as the production’s music director and orchestra conductor,” say Scinto.

Known for its extensive children and teen program, AJTC offers opportunities for young actors as well as adults. In addition, as an Equity theatre, involvement also permits actors and stage managers in training to credit their work towards eventual membership in its trade union, the Actor’s Equity Association.

Possibilities abound as AJTC produces four plays this season:

• Fiddler on the Roof—Oct. 6-21

• Halpern & Johnson – Jan. 5-20

• Kindertransport – March 15-30

• The Last Night of Ballyhoo - May 17-June 1

Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Ticket prices range from $40 to $60. Student tickets are offered at a discount and are available at the CPA box office. In addition, the student rush ticket price of $15 is offered one-half hour prior to curtain call. To purchase tickets, call AJTC at (602) 264-0402. To learn more about PVCC’s Performing Arts Program, call (602) 787-6686.