Lighting the Way

Nathan Cole, director

Four Performances:

Wednesday, Nov. 30 – 7:30 PM *Free Preview
Thursday, Dec. 1 – 7:30 PM
Friday, Dec. 2 – 7:30 PM
Saturday, Dec. 3 – 5:00 PM

Performing Arts Center

Studio Theatre

4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003

In collaboration with the Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts, Climate Change Theatre Action brings together playwrights from around the world to tackle one of the most polarizing issues our world faces, climate change.  Through a variety of narrative styles and characters, the artists approach today’s crisis with comedy, satire, and a call to action. In an effort to enact change, the short play series strives to answer what it all means and who we understand ourselves to be as we try to save the planet.

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Ventura College Jazz Band

Fundi Legohn, director

One Performance:

Saturday, December 3 at 7:30pm

Performing Arts Center

Helen Yunker Auditorium

4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Lost Luggage & Tangled Christmas Lights

The Ventura College Chorus and Singers

Brent Wilson, director

One Performance:

Friday, December 9 at 7:30pm

Performing Arts Center

Helen Yunker Auditorium

4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

“I’ve learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way s/he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.”
– Maya Angelou

On Friday, December 9, the Ventura College Chorus & Singers will present a program combining music set to wise, witty texts by poet Maya Angelou with a selection of music to kick off the holiday season. Join conductor Brent Wilson and pianist Mark Holmstrom and our talented singers for this energetic and varied program.

A Celebration of Hope

The VC Symphony Orchestra

& Chamber Orchestra

Ashley Walters, conductor

One Performance:

Saturday, December 10 at 7:30

CORELLI: "Christmas Concerto" Op. 6, No. 8

BRAHMS: Academic Festival Overture, Op. 80

LAWSON: Tumaini (”Hope”)

MÁRQUEZ: Danzón No. 2

On Saturday, December 10, The VC Chamber & Symphony Orchestras (Ashley Walters, Director) present “A Celebration of Hope.” The program honors Robert Lawson on his retirement, and the repertoire is a celebration of friendship and collaboration. One performance only!

Performing Arts Center

Helen Yunker Auditorium

4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

Light Up the Season

VC Chamber Music

Ashley Walters, director

One Performance:

Sunday, December 11 at 2:30pm

Performing Arts Center

Helen Yunker Auditorium

4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003

On Sunday, December 11, Ventura College Chamber Music (Ashley Walters, Director) presents “Light Up the Season” This varied program, featuring notable works by a diverse slate of composers from across the musical spectrum, will be performed in the Helen Yunker Auditorium  at VC’s Performing Arts Center. – One performance only!

CLICK HERE FOR TICKETS

DAL SEGNO Vocal Ensemble

Brent Wilson, director

One Performance:

Monday, November 7, 7:30 PM

Performing Arts Center

Helen Yunker Auditorium

4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003

Presented as part of The Laurel Project:

Faculty & Guest Artist Concert Series

The Laurel Project presents vocal ensemble,“Dal Segno.” Founder and conductor Brent Wilson leads the eight voice ensemble in Giovanni Palestrina’s foundational, exhilarating Missa Papae Marcelli. The program also features works by Caroline Shaw, including Partita, a piece hailed as “exhilarating, sensual and playful” by The New York Times which went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 2013, making Shaw the youngest composer to ever receive this honor.

Music for Strings, Brass, Winds, Guitar, & Percussion

Ashley Walters, director

One Performance:

Sunday, November 6 at 2:30pm

Performing Arts Center

Helen Yunker Auditorium

4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003

The Dawn of a New World

The VC Symphony Orchestra

& VC Chamber Orchestra 

Ashley Walters, conductor

One Performance:

Saturday, November 5 at 7:30pm

Performing Arts Center

Helen Yunker Auditorium, PAC

4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003

Led by Ashley Walters, the VC Symphony Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra present "The Dawn of a New World." Repertoire includes Dvořák's Symphony No. 9 ("From the New World"), Borodin's String Sextet in d-minor, and Haydn's Quartet in B-flat Major ("Sunrise").

The Turn of the Screw

Brent Wilson, director

Jamie Birkett, set design

Four Performances:

Thursday, October 27, 7:30pm
Friday, October 28, 7:30pm
Saturday, October 29, 2:30pm & 7:30pm

Performing Arts Center

Studio Theatre, PAC

4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003

Opera’s best ghost story comes to Ventura College! Brent Wilson leads Benjamin Britten’s “The Turn of the Screw” in a production designed by Jamie Birkett for the VC Department of Performing Arts. The eerie story is adapted by Myfanwy Piper from Henry James’ novella.

A certain Slant of light;

Music set to the poetry of Emily Dickinson

The Ventura College Chorus and Singers
Brent Wilson, director

One Performance:

Friday, October 14 at 7:30pm

Performing Arts Center

Helen Yunker Auditorium

4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003

DUO IMAGINALIS

Hugo Nogueira, guitar

Ekaterina Bessmeltseva, piano

One Performance:

Monday, October 3, 7:30 PM

Performing Arts Center

Helen Yunker Auditorium

4700 Loma Vista Rd. Ventura CA 93003

Presented as part of The Laurel Project:

Faculty & Guest Artist Concert Series

DUO DE AMOR

Ovanes Arakelyan, piano

One Performance:

Monday, September 12, 7:30 PM

Performing Arts Center

Helen Yunker Auditorium

Presented as part of The Laurel Project:

Faculty & Guest Artist Concert Series
 

2022 Henry Schwab Violin & Viola Competition

Featuring The Schwab Summer Academy Orchestra

One Performance:

Sunday, July 24, 2:30 PM

Performing Arts Center

Helen Yunker Auditorium

2022 Henry Schwab Violin & Viola Competition

Featuring The Schwab Summer Academy Orchestra

One Performance:

Sunday, July 23, 7:30 PM

Performing Arts Center

Helen Yunker Auditorium

2022 Schwab Summer Academy

Featuring Schwab Summer Academy Chamber Music

One Performance:

Friday, July 22, 7:30 PM

Performing Arts Center

Helen Yunker Auditorium

2022 Schwab Summer Academy

Featuring Schwab Summer Academy Chamber Music

One Performance:

Sunday, July 17, 2:30 PM

Performing Arts Center

Helen Yunker Auditorium

2022 Schwab Summer Academy

Featuring the Schwab Summer Academy Symphony Orchestra

One Performance:

Saturday, July 16, 7:30 PM

Performing Arts Center

Helen Yunker Auditorium

2022 Schwab Summer Academy

Featuring Schwab Summer Academy Chamber Music

One Performance:

Friday, July 15, 7:30 PM

Performing Arts Center

 2022 Schwab Summer Academy

Featuring the Schwab Summer Academy Symphony Orchestra

One Performance:

Saturday, July 9, 7:30 PM

Performing Arts Center

Helen Yunker Auditorium

4700 Loma Vista Road

"Monk, Mingus, Miles and More: Celebrating Jazz Excellence"

Featuring the VC Jazz Band

One Performance:

Saturday, May 14 / 5:00 PM

Helen Yunker Auditorium

VC Performing Arts Center

4700 Loma Vista Road

Jazz is alive and well at VC! On May 14, the VC Jazz Band (Fundi Legohn, director) presents "Monk, Mingus, Miles and More: Celebrating Jazz Excellence." Students in the VC Jazz program will be joined by a few special musical guests to perform the music of master jazz icons including Thelonious Monk, Charles Mingus & Miles Davis. This program will be performed in the Helen Yunker Auditorium at VC’s Performing Arts Center (masks recommended).

"A Feast for the Senses"

Featuring the VC Music Department with Guests from VC Dance

One Performance:

Wednesday, May 11, 4:30 PM

Performing Arts Center

Outdoor Stage

4700 Loma Vista Road

On Wednesday, May 11th, The Department of Performing Arts presents “A Feast for the Senses.” This open house begins at 4:30pm with a performance by VC Dance (Krenly Guzman, director) in the Yunker Auditorium. At 5pm, the party moves to the Outdoor Theatre with performances from VC Music ensembles including the VC Chorus & Singers (Brent Wilson, director), the VC Symphony & Chamber Orchestras and VC Chamber Music (Ashley Walters, director) and the VC Jazz Band (Fundi Legohn, director). Celebrate the end of the semester and the beginning of summer with an evening of performing arts performed by our talented students! This program will be performed live, following all Covid procedures, on the Performing Arts Center Lawn.

"Take Me to the World: A Celebration of Stephen Sondheim"

Featuring the VC Chorus & Singers

One Performance:

Tuesday, May 10 / 7:30 PM

Helen Yunker Auditorium

VC Performing Arts Center

4700 Loma Vista Road

On May 10, the VC Chorus & Singers (Brent Wilson, conductor) present "Take Me to the World: A Celebration of Stephen Sondheim." The choirs will be joined by Mark Holmstrom on piano and guest soloists from the Voice program performing musical tributes to Stephen Sondheim (1939–2021), the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and lyricist who was credited with reinventing the American musical. The program includes songs from A Little Night Music, Evening Primrose, Passion, and Sweeney Todd. In addition, the choirs will perform pieces by Bartok, Arnesen, Gjeilo, and others. This program will be performed in the Helen Yunker Auditorium at VC’s Performing Arts Center (masks recommended).

 "A Springtime Bouquet"

Featuring VC Chamber Music

One Performance:

Saturday, May 7 / 2:30 PM

Helen Yunker Auditorium

VC Performing Arts Center

4700 Loma Vista Road

On May 7, Ventura College Chamber Music (Ashley Walters, director) present “A Springtime Bouquet,” featuring VC students Marla Ascencion, Alex Curry, Crista Guerrero Donovan, Jay Lawton, Mary Peterson, and Yoav Vega. This varied program features notable works by Albinoni, Bach, Cowell, Debussy, Haydn, Telemann, and more! This program will be performed in the Helen Yunker Auditorium at VC’s Performing Arts Center (masks recommended).

Tickets:
$15 General
$5 Student, Staff, Senior
Advance reservations can be made HERE

* NOTE: Online sales only – no cash sales. Advance purchase is recommended – electronic or paper tickets will be scanned at the entrance. Audience members purchasing at the entrance may scan a QR code to purchase tickets from their mobile device.

 "Almost, Maine"

Featuring: VC Theatre Arts Department

Three Performances:

Wed. May 4 / 7:30PM (Free Preview)
Thursday, May 5 / 7:30PM
Friday, May 6 / 7:30pm

Studio Theatre

VC Performing Arts Center

4700 Loma Vista Road

This May, Ventura College presents ALMOST, MAINE, a “witty, romantic, unsentimental, beautifully structured play with nifty surprise endings – most but not all of them happy” (New York Times). John Cariani’s delightful comedy, set in the mythical New England town of Almost explores love, loss and a little bit of magic through nine interconnected short plays. The play’s 2004 premiere in Portland, Maine broke box office records and garnered critical acclaim. The New York Post says the show “offers a sweetness and decency that’s become rare at the theater. At this point, it’s a welcome breath of fresh air.”

This production will be performed live, following all current Covid procedures, in the Studio Theatre at the Ventura College Performing Arts Center. This production contains some mature themes.

 "Melodies in Bloom"

Featuring the VC Symphony Orchestra and the VC Chamber Orchestra

One Performance:

Saturday, April 30 / 2:30 PM

VC Performing Arts Center

Outdoor Theatre

4700 Loma Vista Road

On April 30, the Ventura College Chamber Orchestra and the Ventura College Symphony Orchestra (Ashley Walters, conductor) present “Melodies in Bloom.” This program features music by VC Professor Andrew Tholl and by Los Angeles composer Harold Budd, who was noted for his collaborations with art-pop artists like Brian Eno and Cocteau Twins and for the spaciousness and calm of his music. The program also features Dvořák's exuberant ”American" Quartet and Beethoven's revolutionary "Eroica" Symphony. This program will be performed live, following all Covid procedures, on the Performing Arts Center Lawn.

"Hansel & Gretel"

Featuring: VC Opera & Musical Theatre Department

Three Performances:

Friday, April 22 / 7:30PM

Saturday, April 23 / 3:30pm

Saturday, April 23 / 7:30pm

Helen Yunker Theatre

VC Performing Arts Center

4700 Loma Vista Road

Hansel & Gretel comes to Ventura College April 22-23. Enter a magical forest where the trees are older than time, fairies lurk in the shadows, and a house of candy sits alone amidst the trees. Experience this cherished musical fairy tale with its beautiful, folk-music inspired themes, including the famous "Evening Prayer” in this colorful production of Engelbert Humperdinck's beloved opera. Filled with drama and wonder, Hansel & Gretel will delight and charm the whole family.

Tickets:
$15 General
$5 Student, Staff, Senior
Children 10 and under - FREE

"Music in the Air"

Featuring: VC Chamber Orchestra, VC Symphony Orchestra

One Performance:

Saturday, March 12 / 2:30PM

VC Performing Arts Center

Outdoor Theatre

4700 Loma Vista Road

The Ventura College Chamber Orchestra and the Ventura College Symphony Orchestra (Ashley Walters, conductor) leap into springtime with “Music in the Air.” The program features the Chamber Orchestra performing Haydn’s String Quartet No. 2 “Quinten” and Shostakovich’s powerful String Quartet No. 8. Then, the VC Symphony Orchestra takes us to Italy, performing the Overture to Verdi’s opera “La forza del destino” (“The power of destiny”) and Mendelssohn “Italian” Symphony No. 4 in A Major.

 A Winter Celebration

Featuring the VC Chorus & Singers,
VC Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra,
Chamber Music, and Jazz Band

ABOUT:

The Department of Performing Arts presents A WINTER CELEBRATION. This two-day music festival runs December 11th and 12th and features the VC Chorus & Singers, Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Chamber Music.  This musical open house begins at 1pm and will run until about 4pm; come early to picnic –local food trucks will be offering up delicious bites starting at 12pm! Saturday and Sunday will have different programs; so come to one or enjoy both programs with our special weekend pass. Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season – while supporting local businesses – with a weekend of uplifting music performed by our talented students and a few special guests!

These performances will be live and in-person, following all Covid procedures, on the Performing Arts Center’s East Lawn. Bring your chairs and blankets, grab some food, and enjoy the music!

PERFORMANCES:

Saturday, December 11 at 1:00 PM
Saturday, December 12 at 1:00 PM
(Local food trucks starting at 12pm both days)

LOCATION:

Performing Arts Center East Lawn. BYO Chairs/blankets. Face masks and social distancing required.

"The Mystery of Edwin Drood"

Featuring: VC Music Theatre Ensemble

Three Performances:

Friday, December 3 / 7:30 PM
Saturday, December 4 / 7:30 PM
Sunday, December 5 / 7:30 PM

VC Performing Arts Center

Outdoor Theatre

4700 Loma Vista Road

Ventura College presents Rupert Holmes’ musical THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, a hilarious whodunit murder mystery where the murderer is chosen nightly by audience vote. Based on Charles Dickens’ unfinished tale of obsessive love and betrayal, the story is presented as a show-within-a-show, as the Music Hall Royale - a delightfully loony Victorian theatre company - presents Dickens’ brooding mystery. Musical numbers include “Perfect Strangers,” “Don’t Quit While You’re Ahead,” “Off To The Races” and “Moonfall.”

TICKETS:

General Admission - $15
Students/Seniors/Staff - $5