London Thorn, Suzy Bounsavy, Edward Mountz, Blue Chronister, and Nikki Phillips rehearse a scene from “Circle Mirror Transformation” by Annie Baker. The production runs from April 27 through April 29.
Theater Students Bring ‘Circle Mirror Transformation’ to Stage
By Francisco Jasso
Eagle View Contributor
NorthWest Arkansas Community College is set to showcase its latest theatrical production, “Circle Mirror Transformation” by Annie Baker, this week. The story is about a group of diverse individuals who sign up for an acting class one summer, leading to surprises, heartbreak, and romance.
Under the guidance of the director, Stephanie Freeman, the curtains rise at the White Auditorium for three performances by NWACC students and faculty member Marc Turner. Tickets are $8 for the public and $6 for students, faculty and staff. The show runs April 27-29. Tickets are available at the door for audience members paying by cash, check or Venmo. All donations will go directly to help fund future NWACC theater projects.
Blue Chronister will perform as Theresa, a 35-year-old who just went through a bad breakup. “I hope everyone who watches, learns that people are flawed, and that’s what makes them interesting,” Chronister said. “Above all, I hope everyone gets a good laugh out of this goofy weird play.”
Freeman, the director, is a new full-time professor and theater program director at NWACC, having joined the college in those roles this semester. Previously, this semester, some of her students and music students have presented a variety show and did a table read of “Music and Other Arts of War” by Professor Miles Fish.
“I hope everyone who watches, learns that people are flawed, and that’s what makes them interesting.”
Blue Chronister, portraying Theresa
Through her unique approach to directing, Freeman springs into action, bringing yet another captivating production to life on stage. She is focused on providing NWACC students with opportunities. In her own journey, it wasn’t until Freeman’s freshman year at the University of Alabama that the seed of theater was planted in her soul. Freeman said she began training on the crew, then in stage management, and eventually, she went to graduate school in acting. Although Freeman had no performing arts outlet at her small high school, she enthusiastically signed up for an Introduction to Theatre class when arriving at college.
“I’d always thought about Theatre being something you studied in New York, but the truth is great theater can happen anywhere,” Freeman said. “When you get to study what you love, it’s not hard work at all.”
“There’s no waiting in line; if you want to be in Theatre, our department
Stephanie Freeman, director and NWACC Theatre coordinator
will make that happen for you as soon as possible.”
Having no high school experience, she always felt she was a bit behind but that didn’t stop her. Freeman mentioned that she will always remember what it felt like to be brand new to Theatre, and she tries to keep that in mind with her students. She believes that NWACC can give new students something that larger colleges and universities can’t right away — performance opportunities. She said, “There’s no waiting in line; if you want to be in Theatre, our department will make that happen for you as soon as possible.”
Freeman said that as a director she gets to utilize her English degree in many ways, but she enjoys the opportunity to take a play apart, see how it works, and then find a concept that meets not only the needs outlined by the playwright but the company members, as well. When working with students who are new to theater, Freeman said, there are some skills she likes to incorporate into their routine such as “physical exercises and warm-ups” because it will allow them to harness that extra nervous energy. She also goes over character development to help her students get comfortable with their lines. “No studio acting class is going to prepare you 100% for your first performance,” Freeman said. “You’ve just got to jump. You’ve got to say that first line as the lights come up. It’s a little scary, but once you get your first laugh, there is nothing more thrilling and you’ll be hooked for the rest of your life.”
Freeman expressed her gratitude for the music department that has helped this semester and mentioned that the majority of the Theater Club members are also part of the Music Club. These clubs often collaborate on stage, and they hope to produce a musical in the spring of 2024.
Freeman shared that NWACC Theatre Club is open to anyone 16 years and up and the only requirement is to help with at least one performance project per semester. They will have an event before the end of the semester.
Go & Do
- What: “Circle Mirror Transformation” by Annie Baker
- When: 7 p.m. April 27, 28 and 29
- Where: White Auditorium, Burns Hall, NWACC campus
- Cost: $8 for public; $6 for students, faculty and staff
- Payment method: Cash, check or Venmo
- For more information at the Theatre Club or theater classes, email sfreeman7@nwacc.edu.
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