December 10, 2022

By Austin Cecil
Contributing Writer

Missouri colleges have officially entered into finals week. MCC-Longview among them has elected to present an entirely student-written Holiday Variety Show as the final project for its acting classes. The college’s acting students were originally assigned to create seven original skits to be assembled into a two-act show. Several other students volunteered their knowledge of various areas of performance to be used in this eclectic production. These included the following: dance, direction, choir singing, acting workshops, and others alike.

“Join us as we celebrate the end of the semester!” said Director and adjunct Professor Kristen Henning “These students have created a truly hilarious show that’s beautifully interwoven with songs, choreography, and a look into various holidays around this time of year.” Henning has systematically guided the acting students through the creative process, saying that this is one experience she won’t soon forget!. She has worked to instill in her students the importance of playing to their own strengths, while also helping them to hone the discipline that goes along with comedy. “I’m just proud to be a part of their process.”

Henning has also taken responsibility for readying the students at MCC Longview’s Performers Studio who recently were nominated by the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival to audition for this year’s Irene Ryan Scholarship.

All proceeds from the Holiday Variety Show will be donated to cover travel expenses for the students attending the KCACTF auditions in January of 2023. All skits will include some kind of comedic holiday theme. Such themes will include a bah humbug couple bombarded by carolers, Mrs. Claus saving the day, a noir whodunnit, and much, much, more. The show will run December 8th and 9th at 7:30 p.m., and December 10th at 2:30 p.m. It will take place in the Black Box Studio at MCC Longview Campus in the Cultural Arts Building.