The Blinn College-Bryan Campus Theatre Arts Program kicks off its 2020-21 season with an original adaptation of Stephen Chbosky’s New York Times bestselling novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Presented in short video journal episodes, the production follows 15-year-old Charlie as he maneuvers the challenges of his freshman year of high school.
Part of the program’s seasonal theme “Connecting Across Time and Place,” the series will run through April 29, 2021, with new episodes launching on Thursdays. Free access for the show will be available at blinn.edu/boxoffice. The show contains adult language and themes.
“Playing Charlie has allowed me to branch out as an actor and expand my range. This role is more reserved and subtle than the characters I usually play,” says Jackson Ward, who plays the lead character in the series. “From working with a teleprompter to having a makeup and costume specialist on hand, this production is a truly professional endeavor that has given me great exposure to what it’s like to work in film.”
A coming-of-age story complete with family issues and affairs of the heart, The Perks of Being a Wallflower highlights the ups and downs, complications, and complexities of growing up. Fraught with the dilemma of remaining on the sideline or following his passion, Charlie explores the trajectory of his life through reflection and his interactions with a rotating cast of characters.
“The video journal format that we’re utilizing really brings Charlie’s story to life in a unique and identifiable way,” Blinn-Bryan Theatre Director Greg Wise says. “Not only are students honing their craft as actors, but this production creates a whole new educational opportunity for them to gain experience with filmmaking.”
The production’s unique format as a digital series exposes Blinn students to the technology required to work in film and the techniques that differ from a traditional stage performance. From green screens to advanced video and sound editing, the digital episodes emphasize the role post-production can play in bringing a story to life.
The Blinn-Bryan Theatre Troupe consists of Blinn theatre students, community members, and other area students who create short, interactive theatre experiences to encourage cultural and collaborative exchange in the community. Made possible by a grant from the Eugene Edge III Charitable Trust, the troupe aims to connect with audiences in new ways and foster engagement while traversing the challenges of social distancing.
The troupe is part of Blinn’s Theatre Arts Program, which hosts a variety of performances each year on its Bryan and Brenham campuses. Productions integrate the artistic, technical, and academic disciplines of theatre from the classroom to the stage. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, no live performances will be available during the 2020-21 season. All productions will be accessed digitally.
For more information about Blinn’s Theatre Arts Program, visit blinn.edu/theatre.
