Story by Ashlee Larrison
Photos by Mackenzie Reppy
GCU News Bureau
For most of us, Christmas is going to look a little different this year. OK, a lot different.
And it is for that reason that students in the College of Fine Arts and Productions wanted to do something special to brighten the mood. This year, COFAP’s Second Series students will be performing “It’s a Wonderful Life,” which will be available to listen to from 7-10 p.m. MST Friday and Saturday nights on their website. (Watch it here.)
The performance is primarily considered an audio drama, but some visuals will be available in the video format.
Second Series is a student-run group that works to provide students with additional experience putting on a production but also has the support of faculty along the way. Although Second Series shows normally are performed in person, adjustments were made to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The production is completely student driven and will celebrate the Christmas season safely.
“I had been talking to Eric Johnson (Manager of the GCU Recording Studio) about the possibility of doing an audio drama or a radio drama,” said the director, senior Morgan McCall. “He said, ‘I think I could do it with a little bit of help,' so we went looking for scripts and picked this one. We had to propose it to our faculty, put together a schedule, hold auditions for our students and then cast the show.
“It was definitely a sprint to the finish line.”
And a sprint it was. In a matter of weeks, McCall and sound engineer Daniella Brown had successfully collected all the soundbites necessary and were able to get the final product edited in time for the holiday season.
“I know that traditions are looking a little different this year during the holidays and that bringing people together will look a little different,” McCall said. “We’re adapting our normal traditions of Christmas plays and performing with one another.
“I think that this story is very timely to what we’re going through right now, and I hope that the show brings people hope and I think the characters show us that out of suffering comes redemption and growth. I just hope it’s the Christmas story that people need right now.”
Contact Ashlee Larrison at (602) 639-8488 or [email protected]
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