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The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

The Channels

The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

The Channels

‘The Times, They Are A Changin” recounts 1960s struggle

The rise and fall of Kennedy, The Beatles, and hippies. These were among the topics of the 1960s idealism revisited in the one-act plays dubbed “The Times, They Are A Changin’,” on March 11 and 12 in West Campus-Room 302.

In a temporary classroom equipped with only a slide projector, a boom box and a light switch, the performance showcased the talents of first-year acting students in a series of one-act plays.

“I definitely felt a connection to that period,” said Claire Gordon-Harper, who performed narrative monologues as a political activist named Rona. She researched the role by talking to her parents, both of whom were once hippies.

The hour-long compilation featured scenes from plays set in the 1960s, including one from the upcoming City College play “Moonchildren.”

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Although lack of experience was evident in many of the actors, there were some undeniably impressive performances. The students successfully relived the torrential decade, reminding the audience of the many social struggles of that time.

To set the changing scene as the years progressed, the acts were punctuated by Rona’s monologues from “Kennedy’s Children,” by Robert Patrick.

Gordon-Harper, a Dos Pueblos High School grad, said that it was easy to relate to the time period. She noted that many of the actors recently voted for their first time-herself included.

“The parallels between Kennedy and Obama, in terms of hope, are absolutely pertinent,” Director Rick Mokler said.

The show began with John F. Kennedy narrowly defeating Ronald Reagan in1960, a time when no blacks or women served in Congress or the U.S. Supreme Court. Addressing everything from Woodstock to Vietnam, the performance culminated with the assassination of John Lennon, marking the end of the era.

A scene from “The Heidi Chronicles” involved a group of four women connecting with their sense of feminism.

“You either shave your legs or you don’t,” said a convincing Fran, played by Yvonne Ochoa, to a repressed Heidi, played by Alicia Green.

Ochoa said she felt a connection to the role.

“For every culture there is, I relate to the feminine in it,” she said.

The final act ended on a somber note, with Trevor Dow’s intensely emotional performance as Eddie in the act from “Hurlyburly,” by David Rabe.

“Rick challenged me … He’s been trying to get me in touch with my vulnerability,” he said. Although the audience was thrown into the scene without any story context, Dow later explained that his character had just returned from his best friend’s funeral.

“They learned a ton tonight as actors,” Mokler said. He added that first-year students often get shortchanged with roles, and he wanted to give them an opportunity to perform for an audience.

“It’s an educational experience,” he said.

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