Theatre searches for new cast

The Fullerton College Theatre Arts Department hosted its second annual "Before the Show…Behind the Curtains", a special preview of its fall show on Tuesday. 

The event gives high school students from around the county a chance to experience the inner-workings of a community college theatre department.

This year, students from Anaheim High School, Sunny Hills High School and Katella High School attended.

The day included a campus tour of FC, a viewing of a rehearsal of "Equus" a backstage tour of the "Pride and Prejudice" set and a pre-show discussion of "Pride and Prejudice" with the director, cast and crew. 

Finally, the students and their teachers got to attend the final dress rehearsal for "Pride and Prejudice."

Tessa Jacobs, the administrative assistant for the Theatre Arts department, created and organized the event. 

Jacobs says she tried to choose a wide array of high schools, such as low-income schools, feeder schools and schools with instructors who have worked with the FC theater department in the past years.

"We concentrate on getting really dedicated high school theatre students," said Jacobs.  "We want to help the school recruit."

Of the students who attended last year, 45 percent enrolled in the FC Theatre department this year alone. 

Amanda Keyser, the drama teacher at Sunny Hills High School, brought her students to experience the event for the first time this year.

"This is amazing," Keyser said, enthusiastically clapping for the actors rehearsing "Equus."

Director Gary Krinke had his actors perform a segment of the play, explaining many of his directorial choices to the high school students.

"We hope that Fullerton's in your future and you'll get to experience this," said Krinke, as the students left for another leg of the tour.

Chuck Ketter, director of "Pride and Prejudice" also hosted a Q and A and led the group around the set with Kevin Clowes, the show's set designer.  

Clowes explained to the students how they prepare the set in order to work out issues with the story and bring it up-to-date. 

When a student asked who the carpenters for the set were, Clowes laughed, explaining the student-first approach of FC. Clowes says students make almost everything.

It all comes back to Jacobs and her attempt to bring more fresh students to the Theatre department. "We want the students to be able to experience it," Jacobs said.  "See the pressures, the anxieties, and the good stuff too."

"Pride and Prejudice" opens Wednesday Oct. 12 at 8 p.m.