CCTC/HJT Offers Winter Classes, Events

A variety of exciting classes and performances are happening at Cape Cod Theatre Company/Harwich Junior Theatre in the coming weeks. Start 2024 right by learning something new, and don’t miss the upcoming shows on the CCTC/HJT stage.

CCTC/HJT’s new Producing Artistic Director Jenn Pina said CCTC/ HJT is committed to making classes accessible to all. She expressed appreciation to the theater’s donors, supporters and the entire team of the upcoming one-night-only production “The Couch” for supporting CCTC/HJT’s students.

“We are thrilled that Susan (Lambert) is bringing her show to our stage from sold-out performances in Wellfleet and Boston, and deeply moved that she is generously donating 100 percent of proceeds the CCTC/HJT Scholarship Fund,” Pina said.

“The Couch” is a solo musical theater piece starring Susan Lambert, accompanied by Jonathan Goldberg, and directed by longtime CCTC/HJT Producing Artistic Director and artist in residence Nina Schuessler. The production will take place on Saturday, Jan. 13 at 5 p.m. with a reception to follow. Tickets are $25, with all proceeds going directly to benefit the CCTC/HJT Scholarship Fund.

Winter classes begin at CCTC/HJT this week, featuring a robust lineup of 18 in-house program for all ages, pre-K through adult. Pina said she is especially excited about the theater’s teen offerings this session, which include Teen Acting and Teen Comedy Improv, with teachers Fionn Pina Parker and Mike Devine, respectively. She pointed out that generous financial assistance is available for all of CCTC/HJT’s classes.

“I’m also particularly excited about our second session of a Stage Management 101 class with Equity stage manager and educator Katie Graves for teens and adults,” Pina said. “It’s really a job skills class. It touches on every aspect of stage-management, from pre-production to the closing of a show.”

Pina said students will learn the fundamentals of organizing, production meetings, rehearsals, tech week, and the calling of performances.

“I love that Katie is willing to share her knowledge and help us as we lean into our roots as an educational theater, empowering students to take on all aspects of production,” Pina added. “It’s a special opportunity to learn from one of the best stage managers I've worked with — a real pro — a great opportunity to take a class, and then a chance to have a place to put those skills into action. It’s a class worth repeating, and there is a 50 percent discount offered to those who took the first session.”

On Friday and Saturday, Jan. 19 and 20, CCTC/HJT is producing a 24-Hour Play Festival where new short plays will be completely written, rehearsed, and performed within the span of only 24 hours. Any and all experience levels of playwrights, directors, and actors are encouraged to come and take part in this exciting event.

“It’s such a fun event,” Pina said. “We kick off at 7 p.m. Friday night. Playwrights are assigned their actors and given their instructions, then go off to write a completely original short play overnight. Each playwright hands off their freshly written script to a director by 6 a.m.

Pina explained that the directors then get the morning to plan. They rehearse with their actors for the day, and everyone comes back together for a showcase, complete with audience, at 7 p.m. Saturday evening.

“I love the quick collaborations, the sense of fun and improvisation and support,” Pina said. “We have had a great response this year. There is still room to sign up to participate — or just come on by at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 20 to see the incredible pieces of short theater that are created! It’s free to participate and free to attend the showcase.”

For more information about upcoming productions at CCTC/HJT, including “The Couch” and the 24-Hour Play Festival, or to learn more about available classes, visit capecodtheatrecompany.org.