South Campus theatre opens fall season with “All in the Timing”

The San Jacinto College South Campus Department of Theatre and Film opens its fall season with David Ives' "All in the Timing," a collection of short comedic plays running Nov. 5 to 14 at the Black Box Theatre in the Flickinger Fine Arts Center.

H.R. Bradford, theatre and film adjunct faculty, who also directs under the name AJ Sisk, is among the directors on the production. Bradford and Dr. Jonelle Walker, theatre and film professor, chose the short play format so multiple directors could take part while working around adjunct faculty schedules. Fellow adjunct faculty member Jon Egging and theatre and film alum and part-time staff member Tanar Yocum are also directing segments of the show.

“All in the Timing” gave the team a way to meet several goals at once, Bradford said. Ives is a widely produced American playwright whose work fits the curriculum, and the play's fast-paced, absurdist dialogue leaves room for acting coaching and technique development. The material also matched the skill level of the cast, drawn from advanced acting classes.

“Too challenging and everyone gets overwhelmed. Too simple and it's boring,” Bradford said. “We struck the right balance between the two.”

The timing of the show felt right, too. Bradford said the play's multi-perspective structure and comedic tone offer a welcome break from the news cycle, and that the production will take a fresh approach to material that is frequently staged in educational theatre.

This play is one of the most produced plays in education, and I've seen it done the same way too many times. We are going to turn it on its head, shake it up a bit, and hopefully increase the level of engagement and creativity.

Audiences can expect witty, well-crafted banter paired with an acting-centric approach that balances humor with deeper questions about time, communication and reality, Bradford said. The concept draws on ideas from physics, a nod to Bradford's past work at Space Center Houston, and asks audiences to consider time, art, and perspective as subjective, nonlinear, and full of surprises.

The biggest challenge, Bradford said, is the material itself. Ives' dialogue is contemporary but demanding, requiring young actors to match precise language to action. That challenge, he said, translates into extra rehearsal time and stronger performances by opening night.

The production is aimed at San Jac students across disciplines, from literature and humanities to science, though Bradford said the show also welcomes general audiences looking for material with some depth.

“There’s over 50 years of professional experience, abilities, and skills on the backend of this play, as well as a strong team of designers and directors. This is the type of production every team hopes for and the preliminary work is top notch,” Bradford said. “I think whomever the cast and crew are will be very lucky to be a part of this dream team who will be infusing enthusiasm, creativity and love for the craft in every rehearsal.”

Auditions and technical signups are open now:

Auditions will be held Tuesday, Sept. 15, 3 to 5 p.m., with callbacks Wednesday, Sept. 16, 3 to 5 p.m., in the Black Box Theatre (S15.135).

 

Performance Details

When:

Thursday, Nov. 5 through Saturday, Nov. 14

Evening performances Nov. 5, 12 and 13 at 7 p.m.; matinees Nov. 6, 7 and 14 at 2 p.m.

 

Where:

San Jacinto College South

Flickinger Fine Arts Center

Black Box Theatre (S15.135)

13735 Beamer Road

Houston, Texas 77089

 

Tickets:

Tickets are $3 for San Jacinto College students, $5 for faculty and staff, and $7 for community members. Tickets are available at sjcstheatrefilm.ludus.com.

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About San Jacinto College

Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today, and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than 1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020 and 2026. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately 45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.