Click here to see the artist's rendering of the new Auditorium Building now in the construction phase.  There are also links to weekly construction photos.  Follow the progress step by step as we create a new home for the performing and digital media arts at Modesto Junior College.
 

Curse of Apollo: The Legend of Oedipus Rex

Don't miss the four star production of "Curse of Apollo: The Legend of Oedipus Rex at the Cabaret West Theatre.  Read the Modesto Bee review of MJC Theatre's gripping production here.

You can get tickets at the door for Friday and Saturday, October 26 and 27, 7:30 p.m. performances.  The Sunday, October 28th performance starts at 2:00 p.m.  Michael Lynch directs his own adaptation of the classic story.

MJC Strings Performs at "A Day of Unity"

Anne Martin's string ensemble performers provided a stirring end to the fourth annual "A Day of Unity" at MJC.  See the Modesto Bee "Picture This" photos here.

MJC Strings Performs at Farmer's Market Downtown

Our very own MJC Strings performed a lively set of Celtic pieces on Saturday, September 29th at the Farmer's Market.  Donations to the group benefited the Stanislaus Red Cross.  Professor Anne Martin leads the popular group.  Sean Fornelli plays the drum and does a bit of vocal work as well!  Keep tuned in here for updates on the next concert.

Click on the photo to enlarge
 

Student-made shows to debut on local TV
MJC film class creates outlets for art, politics

Want to see the creative side of local college students? Want to keep up on local politics? Community members can now catch what Modesto Junior College students are working on — from short films to current events interviews — every Wednesday from 8 to 9 p.m. on Comcast channel 26.

See what professor Carol Lancaster-Mingus' students are up to over at 1122 Stoddard Ave.

Read the entire Modesto Bee article by clicking here.
 

Dr. Alejandro Sabre Envisions Arts for All as a Gallo Performing Arts Center Board Member

In addition to his work as MJC's piano and music theory professor, Dr. Sabre is working hard to help shape the future of the region's performance environment.  Read more about his efforts by following this link to a Modesto Bee feature.

Theatre Dept Scores ***1/2 Stars for "The Love of Three Oranges"

MJC Theatre's summer comedy offering is a midsummer hit that is delighting audiences young and old.  The play is played at breakneck speed and features outstanding performances by its large ensemble cast.  Don't miss your chance to see this highly entertaining piece!

Follow this link to the Modesto Bee to read the production's review.

MJC's Erik Maki leads MoBand to Summer Success

For the first time in more than two decades, Erik Maki won't play his trumpet in MoBand's popular summer concerts at Graceada Park.

But you'll still see him all the same at the group's season-opening program Thursday in Mancini Bowl. He is the new band manager and assistant conductor, replacing Jerry Richichi, who held the posts for 29 years.

Follow this link to read the entire Modesto Bee article!
 

X-Press Yourself: Achievement speaks for itself

Jennifer Ramirez and Lorna Lynott love to argue. They're pretty good at it, too.

For the past year, the two Modesto residents have competed together on the Modesto Junior College speech and debate team. Their specialty is parliamentary debate, and they recently argued their way to third place in the national finals for community colleges.

Follow this link to read the entire Modesto Bee article.

Great Show, Great Price - Modesto Junior College Orchestra

Community member Philip Franklin's column in the Modesto Bee tells readers about our fantastic college orchestra and its conductor Anne Martin!  Don't miss the concert on Tuesday, April 17th at 7:30 p.m. in the Downey High Auditorium.  Read more at...

This link to the Modesto Bee
 

Arts Council Honors
Michael Lynch, Rich and Ginger Colla

The Stanislaus Arts Council will honor theatre professor Michael Lynch and music professors Rich and Ginger Colla at their annual banquet in Newman on March 24th.

Michael is currently in production for his New Play Fest - a series of plays written and produced by his playwriting students.  Rich Colla directs our college choir and chamber choir ensembles.  Ginger teaches music appreciation and introduction to pop music.  Congratulations to Michael, Rich and Ginger!

Click here for more info from the Modesto Bee

Auditions for The Love of Three Oranges

MJC Theatre Production Directed by Jim Johnson

Click here to view audition information

Prospect Theater Project's "House of Bernarda Alba" presents the work of three MJC professors -- Jack Souza as the production's director, Dyanne Durr portrays the title character and Mary Beth Vierra plays a memorable daughter.

Click here to read the Modesto Bee review of the production!

Click here to visit Prospect Theater's web site for the schedule and ticket information!

In just a few short years, Frank Johnson went from simply existing in a Modesto convalescent home to producing and directing a movie in India.  Carol Lancaster Mingus' student traveled to India as a film ambassador.  Click here to read the entire Modesto Bee Article!

Music professor Anne Martin conducted the Stanislaus County Music Educator's Association High School Honor Orchestra at Modesto High Auditorium on January 27th.

The MJC forensics team won 1st place in the community college sweepstakes at the Chabot College Tournament on January 28th.  Overall, the team placed 2nd -- edged out by rival UOP.  Congratulations to director Todd Guy, assistant director Scott Biedermann and the entire team!

Hansel and Gretel at MSR Learning Center

What a witch. Not only does she lure little children to her candy cottage, bake them into gingerbread to decorate her yard and presumably later eat, but she steals the show, too.

It's a good thing for the other players in "Hansel and Gretel" that the witch doesn't really make her entrance until the third and final act because, as good as everyone else is, the show belongs to her from then on.

Modesto Junior College's production of the Engelbert Humperdinck fairy-tale opera opens with the titular children of a broom-maker and his wife working halfheartedly in their little home and lamenting, hungrily, that they have "nothing, and plenty to spare."

Click Here for the Complete Modesto Bee Review by Deke Farrow


MJC Celebration of the Humanities Launches New Website

The Celebration of the Humanities Committee announces a brand new web site devoted to the thirty year project.  Visit the site to get the scoop on contest rules, entry forms and history!  The site was designed by our very own Alex Cordova from the Instruction Office.

Click Here to Celebrate the Humanities at MJC!
 

MJC Orchestra Day
Anne Martin leads clinic for high school students

Six high schools from around Stanislaus County will perform in Modesto Junior College's annual High School Orchestra Day on Nov. 9 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Downey High School auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

Click Here for the Complete Modesto Bee Article
 

MJC students bring home awards in
newspaper and speech contests
Journalism Professor Laura Paull
Director of Forensics Todd Guy

Modesto Junior College student artist Aaron Schultz penned an editorial cartoon that won first prize at a Northern California student journalism event recently held at San Jose State University….for more at the Modesto Bee…click here!

The Modesto Junior College speech and debate teams and Columbia College debate teams won several awards at a recent speech tournament at Santa Rosa Junior College…..for more at the Modesto Bee…
click here!
 

Updated on November 2, 2006
Click here for Anne Shellman's Modesto Bee Community Voices piece!

Updated on October 26, 2006
Click Here for the Modesto Bee Review!

Inspired by the debate about welfare reform, journalist Barbara Ehrenreich went undercover to see if it was possible to support herself on low-wage jobs.

Her struggles living on $6 to $7 hour are the basis for Modesto Junior College's upcoming production "Nickel and Dimed," based on Ehrenreich's best-selling 2001 book of the same name.

Click Here for the Complete Modesto Bee Article

Click Here for a Short Video Clip

San Francisco’s Broken Promise
2004, USA, Director: Carol Lancaster-Mingus; Producer: Barbara Dunton; 30 min.

This film confronts San Francisco's deep rooted political corruption, national deception and on-going defiance of a United States Supreme Court ruling. It focuses on the city’s failure to create the public power and water system legislated over 80 years ago, which was to have served as an example for the nation.

Friday, October 13, 2006  - 3:00 pm, Ojai Art Center Theater
Sunday, October 15, 2006 - 12;30 pm, Matilija Auditorium

For more information:

http://www.ojaifilmfestival.com/Documentary-Short.html
 

Modesto Junior College will hold a dedication ceremony and open house at 2 p.m. today for a multicultural mural being hung in the student lounge on the east campus, 435 College Ave. MJC art instructor
Deborah Barr created the mural, commissioned by the MJC Multicultural Center Committee and sponsored by a Title V Higher Education Grant. The mural, "All Things — Related," is part of an effort to recognize the diversity of MJC students. The ceremony is free and open to the public. See photos of the mural online at www.lafterhall.com/dbarr_murals.html

Above text from www.modbee.com
 

Professor Richard Serros has launched an elegant web site designed to enhance his painting and art history courses at Modesto Junior College.  Follow this link:

www.sparxmedia.com/serros
 

A little film called "One Night Forever" begins as a normal night in the life of an average teenager.

Franz Ferdinand's "Take Me Out" is blaring on a car stereo. Josh, 18, has his girlfriend Meagan, 17, at his side. They plan to celebrate his new apartment and new-found freedom.

Then things start going wrong, one after another, leaving Josh to confront the stiff legal consequences that can kick in once a teenager turns 18.

The 19-minute film is the brainchild of Judge Linda McFadden, who handles juvenile cases for Stanislaus County Superior Court, and it was produced by students at Modesto Junior College....

Click Here for the Complete Modesto Bee Article

Lisa Livingston loves J. Jill clothing. And if things go her way, other J. Jill fans will love her — her artwork, at least.

Click Here for the Complete Modesto Bee Article
 

Figaro!
A little 'Seville,' a little 'Marriage' meld for new Modesto Junior College production

The popular operas "The Barber of Seville" and "The Marriage of Figaro" provided the inspiration for Modesto Junior College's upcoming nonmusical production of "Figaro."

Director Michael Lynch created his own adaptation, drawing on the operas' identically titled source material: two plays by Pierre Caron de Beaumarchais. He added a few new characters, changed some of the names to Spanish versions and put together a new comedy.

Click Here for the Complete Modesto Bee Article
 

Even with two degrees in theater arts, you won't find Kevin Saunders on stage. Not in front of an audience, at least.

Saunders is a production specialist, or technical director, for Modesto Junior College. He works year-round designing and building theater sets and coordinating lighting and sound for productions.

Click Here for the Complete Modesto Bee Article
 

Division Office - Art Building Room 105
435 College Ave - Modesto, CA  95350      (209) 575-6081