Del Mar Drama Alum Returns to DMC for One-Night, One-Man Performance in Finley Theatre Sept. 21
Article by Richard Guerrero, Jr. Del Mar Drama alumnus Alex Garza has fond memories of his time working on stage productions under the direction of the late Sue Sellors Finley and current Art & Drama Department Chairman Kim Frederick. Both Del Mar College (DMC) faculty members influenced many students’ pursuits in the theatre arts, and Garza was no exception. As a theatre student in the early 1990s, Garza played the role of love interest Yang Sun in Bertolt Brecht’s dramatic parable, “The Good Woman of Setzuan,” which was directed by Finley. He then played the pivotal character Lord Macduff in Shakespeare’s classic tragedy “Macbeth,” a Del Mar Drama production directed by Frederick. Garza says Yang Sun was one of his favorite roles. “Performing in that show was such a memorable and wonderful experience. The play had a great cast that worked incredibly well as an ensemble,” Garza recalled. “The use of platforms surrounding all sides of the theatre space with an interactive audience worked tremendously to create an environmental feel to the show.” This month, Garza returns to his alma mater to lead a two-day student workshop on how to develop content for a solo performance. He’s also performing two one-man sketches in the Sue Sellors Finley Theatre the second day of his visit that’s open to the public. “An Evening of Solo Theatre” is scheduled on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 7-8:30 p.m. in Finley Theatre in the Fine Arts Center on Del Mar College’s Heritage Campus, 101 Baldwin Blvd. (78404), get online directions and campus map. Admission is free, and the event is generously sponsored by Del Mar College’s Cultural Programs Committee. For more information, contact the Art & Drama Department Office at 361-698-1216 or drama@delmar.edu. Garza’s first sketch, “Medea,” is based on the Greek tragedy by Euripides and tells the story of a woman fighting to be heard in a society where she feels betrayed by men and those in power. The second is “Mystery of the Super-Sparkly Diamond,” which was written by Garza himself. In this comic solo piece, Garza will play multiple characters who become caught up in a search for a missing necklace. He says that the work is inspired by his love of movie parodies and adds that it pays tribute to various mystery and detective stories from novels and film. “I wrote this piece several years ago, and in the last few years, I have adapted the script into a solo performance,” he said. A theatre educator himself, Garza has served as a lecturer in theatre/speech at The University of Texas-Pan American as well as taught drama at Coastal Bend College and Austin Community College over the years. After his time at DMC, Garza earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Arts/English from Texas A&M University-Kingsville in 1994 and a Master of Arts in Theater Arts with a concentration in Acting/Directing two years later. His first love remains the stage, however, and Garza is no stranger to Coastal Bend theater fans. His holiday play, “Abuelita’s Christmas Carol,” which returns to the Aurora Arts Theatre on Dec. 21, has become a sold-out annual tradition in recent years. Garza’s upcoming visit to DMC marks his first opportunity to visit in his capacity as a professional actor and workshop presenter. Garza noted working with Frederick on “Macbeth” was an amazing experience. “Kim is a wonderful director with a positive energy, and I enjoyed the challenge of creating a role that demanded rigorous stage combat training and also great emotional depth,” Garza said. “Kim was so encouraging and expressed heartfelt gratitude to his company for their efforts in the production.” Garza said he is grateful for the opportunity to return to DMC and share his work and experience with the students as well as the community. “I hope that the workshop and solo performances will be enriching and enjoyable for those participating and those viewing in the audience,” he said. “Part of why I do the type of performing and writing I do is to inspire others through my stories, and I hope I am successful in doing that.”
