ALERT: Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Latest News RSS FeedRSS Icon

    LSCPA Theater presents 'Art' Oct. 26-27

    A trio of actors will take audiences on an artistic trip as Lamar State College Port Arthur presents “Art” in its Black Box Theater on Friday, October 26, and Saturday, October 27. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. each night.

    The Sam and Linda Monroe Performing Arts Center is located at 1500 Procter Street in Port Arthur. Tickets for the event can be reserved by calling 409-984-6111.

    “Art” is a critically acclaimed play written by the French playwright Yasmina Reza and is being directed by Nederland's David Walker, former production assistant at LSCPA. Walker has done professional work on stage with the Texas Repertory Theatre Company of Houston. He also worked as a carpenter for set construction for the Main Street Theatre Company of Houston. Tiffaney Thomas, a former student at LSCPA and Beaumont resident, will serve as the production’s assistant director.

    Art earned the Tony award for Best Play in 1998, shortly after beginning a Broadway run. The play is written in one act with several changing scenes. The set is very minimal, with the only thing changing between each characters’ apartment being a painting on the wall. All of the dialogue between characters occurs within the confines of one of the three apartments. On several occasions, the characters step out of the scene to address the audience directly with their own personal thoughts. The minimal set forces the audience to focus on the text and interaction of the three characters – both places where the play draws its strength.

    Portraying Marc is Corbin Winston, a Drama graduate from LSCPA. He currently works at Memorial High School in Port Arthur where he is Technical Director of the school’s theater program.

    Roberto Castillo, who is set to graduate with an Associate’s Degree in Drama in December, portrays Serge, while Jackson Barclay, a freshman drama major at LSCPA, is portraying Yvan. Barclay is a 2018 graduate of Nederland High School.

    LSCPA student Hailey Molina of Port Arthur is stage manager for the production.

    “Art” begins with Marc telling the audience that his old friend Serge has bought a white painting. Inside Serge’s apartment, Marc sees the white painting for the first time. Serge is clearly proud of his purchase and is looking for some reassurance from his buddy that spending 200,000 francs was worth it. Marc disagrees and criticizes Serge for making such an extravagant purchase for something that is so plain and lacking of artistic value. Serge is offended and an intellectual battle begins that lasts the duration of the play. Each man tries to get their mutual friend Yvan to side with him, but Yvan’s desire to remain neutral ends up angering both of his friends instead.