Matt Foyer, a veteran of Theater Arts at GCC, spoke to El Vaquero about the unique program and his upcoming production of “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time.” The following is a Q&A from an interview with him. 

Q: What program are you involved in? What is your role in the program?

A:  I teach theater history courses. That’s what I spend most of my time doing. I also teach acting. And every once in a while, I get to direct a play. 

Q: What is notable about the program?

A: It provides a great opportunity for students who are thinking of getting involved in the theater.  It is definitely cost-effective, and you get to hang out with like-minded students and collaborate with them on live theater projects. The facility itself is also top notch.

Q: How many students are there in a given semester, and what are the majors?

A: I don’t know student involvement numbers. They were down during COVID, that’s for sure, but it seems that they are on the rise. There are theater majors, but you don’t have to be a major to be involved.

Q: Who are the instructors in the program? What is the pedigree of these instructors?

A: All instructors have strong theater/industry backgrounds in addition to Masters/Doctorate degrees.  For a complete list of “who’s who,” please consult the GCC homepage. You’ll find lots of  photos and colorful bios.

Q: How does the program benefit the community of Glendale?

A: Theater IS community. The stories work because they appeal to the community, they are their stories. Theater brings together artists and live audience in one place at the same time. It is a collaborative union. It requires the involvement of many to create one event. Theater – if it is successful – always speaks to the human condition, so whether it is a play written during  ancient Greek times, or a more contemporary one, it has the same ultimate goal. In this way, theater can be considered a vital living art form.

Q: What are the next productions coming up?

A: Well, my production is coming up — “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time.”  After that, I believe they are doing a musical, a play with masks (hearkening back to the ancient way of doing things), and a very funny piece  called The Play That Goes Wrong.

Q: What can audiences expect from the upcoming play?

A: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time is based on a popular novel of the same name. It deals with autism and life on the spectrum. So, it is quite timely, thematically. Also, the way it is presented is similar to the epic theater styles of the past. Epic theater was a way to tell big stories, involving lots of characters, and present them all in a uniquely theatrical way. You’ll have to see the show to see what I mean, ha ha. 

Edward Hakobjanyan can be reached at [email protected].