FACULTY NEWS
Westmont Theater Shines!
Mitchell Thomas received an INDY award in April 2024 for Outstanding Direction of “Godspell,” Westmont’s fall 2023 production. In honoring his work, the Santa Barbara Independent praised “a wonderful quality of authenticity and magic as we witness regular people transformed into jubilant beings basking in divine light.” Thomas, professor of theater, began with a phase of exploration and dreaming to identify the people best able to stage the choreography, conduct the musical orchestration, guide the vocal artists, and design the set, props, costumes and lighting. He brought together a creative team of cast and crew featuring more than 30 students, professors and staff who presented the story to enthusiastic audiences after a four-month creative process.
Theater professors John Blondell and Jonathan Hicks developed another innovative Westmont production by staging Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet” in Santa Barbara’s unique and adaptable Community Arts Workshop, a beautifully renovated and practical space where creatives share their artistry. Westmont Theater invited audiences to attend the “Capulet Black- and-White Ball” there in March 2024. HELIOS, a local Santa Barbara Jazz band led by saxophonist Simon Blondell (son of John Blondell) provided the music and won an INDY award for their original work.