GTCC Performing Arts Theatre to Present “The Flick”

HIGH POINT, N.C. — Guilford Technical Community College Performing Arts Theatre will present its spring production, “The Flick,” Feb. 21-23 at the Center for Creative and Performing Arts on GTCC’s High Point campus. All performances will begin at 7 p.m.

“The Flick,” by American playwright Annie Baker, won the 2014 Pulitzer Prize for drama. The play follows three underpaid employees who work in a rundown movie theater in central Massachusetts as they mop the floors and attend to one of the last 35-millimeter film projectors in the state.

The trio’s tiny battles and not-so-tiny heartbreaks play out in the empty aisles, becoming more gripping than the lackluster, second-run movies on the screen. The play has been described as a hilarious and heart-rendering cry for authenticity in a fast-changing world. 

For GTCC drama instructor Dr. George McConnell, working with good material is exciting for both him as a director and the students who gain valuable experience putting on a full-scale production. The students spend six weeks rehearsing and fleshing out their characters. 

“To have that duration and extended time is a really useful teaching tool for acting,” explains McConnell. “Until it is the real thing, it’s not the real thing.” 

To evoke the movie theater atmosphere, McConnell is flipping the script for GTCC’s production of the award-winning play. “We are using GTCC’s studio theater and tech booth as the movie theater and projection booth. We’ve essentially flipped the space so we can use the seats as movie theater seats to get this hyper-realistic feel,” he added.

“The Flick” is produced and directed by Dr. McConnell with technical direction by David Glover. The four-member cast includes Christian Burnett (Sam); David Merritt (Avery); Abigail Jones (Rose); and Lola Briggs (Skylar).

Tickets are available for purchase online or at the door. Cost is $10 (general admission); $5 (GTCC faculty, staff, seniors and veterans); and $5 for students. All performances will take place at the Center for Creative and Performing Arts Black Box Theater at GTCC’s High Point Campus, 901 South Main Street.

The play contains adult language and situations that may not be suitable for children under the age 15. Parental discretion is advised. “The Flick” is produced by special arrangement with Samuel French.

For more information, contact Dr. George McConnell at gdmcconnell@gtcc.edu or call (336) 334-4822, ext. 50299. For more information, visit http://theatre.gtcc.edu.