DIRECTOR HITS HER MARK; MUSIC THEATER HELPS STUDENTS FIND VOICES ON STAGE.Byline: Douglas Clark Daily News Staff Writer Marilyn Anderson doesn't have the jitters jitters 'Butterflies' Psychology An episode of nervousness or anxiety that often precedes a public event; jitters is a type of performance anxiety which may affect actors in a stage production–stage fright or soloist musicians; it may respond to anxiolytics about presenting her new production of Gilbert and Sullivan's ``The Gondoliers'' tonight. After 21 seasons as director of Moorpark College's music theater program, Anderson knows what she's doing - and why. ``Basically what this program is about is not only about teaching younger students,'' she said. ``It really is something we do for the community. I think that's what's special about a community college.'' The curtain rises on the ``The Gondoliers'' at 8 p.m. on the main stage of the Performing Arts Center A performing arts center, often abbreviated PAC, is a multi-use performance space that can be adapted for use by various types of the performing arts, including dance, music and theatre. at Moorpark College, and the musical runs through April 26. For ticket information, call 378-1485. The music theater program, which Anderson founded two years after joining the Moorpark College teaching staff in 1975, began as a workshop. She taught students who aspired to professional singing careers by directing them in scenes from great operas and one-act musicals. The class was also open to members of the community, young and old, who wished to fulfill a yearning to sing in public. ``Lots of community people audition. We get a variety of age groups,'' she said. ``In many cases we're able to cast according to type, which helps a lot.'' By the late 1970s, Anderson was producing full-length operas - light and heavy - and Broadway musicals in the college's 140-seat Forum Theater. ``It was more gratifying grat·i·fy tr.v. grat·i·fied, grat·i·fy·ing, grat·i·fies 1. To please or satisfy: His achievement gratified his father. See Synonyms at please. 2. to students to do full-length pieces,'' she said. ``This gives undergrads This article is about the television show. For the educational term, see undergraduate education. This article or section does not cite its . You can Wikipedia by introducing appropriate citations. a chance to perform and develop their skills before going to a four-year program where only the grad students get cast.'' The stakes were raised again several seasons ago when the 400-seat Performing Arts Center opened. Although Anderson produced ``The Gondoliers'' in the smaller space, this production marks the debut of Gilbert and Sullivan 1. William Schwenk Gilbert erson> and Sir Arthur Sullivan erson>, who collaborated on a number of light operas. See Gilbert. Noun 1. Gilbert and Sullivan - the music of Gilbert and Sullivan; "he could sing all of Gilbert and Sullivan" on the main stage. Simi Valley resident Linda Smith enrolled in Anderson's music theater program in 1980, when she was still raising four children. Although the kids have since fled the nest, Smith's interest in opera and performing has only deepened. Two years ago, Smith, who had never performed solo, went public with a recital of arias and art songs. She also lectures in the public schools on behalf of the Los Angeles Opera The Los Angeles Opera is an opera company in Los Angeles, California, United States. The company's home base is the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, part of the Los Angeles Music Center. . ``Some of us started taking the class just for the sake of singing,'' Smith said. ``From that little class, Marilyn planted a seed. I've become very active in the opera community. ``The recital was a wonderful experience. I never would have done something like it if not for the class.'' Anderson, a Tarzana resident who also teaches at California Lutheran University Mission statement The University's mission statement is as follows: "California Lutheran University is a diverse, scholarly community dedicated to excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies. , has performed in Europe as well as locally with organizations such as the USC An abbreviation for U.S. Code. Opera, the Los Angeles Music Theater and the Los Robles Robles is a common surname in the Spanish language meaning oaks, and may refer to:
But teaching is a thrill, she said, because she shares in her students' accomplishments. ``It's wonderful to see how they grow, to see the sense of accomplishment,'' she said. ``We've got a number of students who have gone on to four-year conservatories and music careers, and some students are opening companies of their own. CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO (Color in Simi Edition only) Marilyn Anderson, right, assists with the costumes for the musical ``The Gondoliers,'' opening tonight. Tina Gerson/Daily News |
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