New Director, New Directions

A fresh new face is taking the stage at Black Box Theatre. The on-campus theatre space, which seats 200, opened in 2008 and has hosted a bevy of events from dance to film screenings to plays and concerts. With the departure of the former theatre director, Jim Bovino, a new director, Jen Matthews is set to assume the position on Monday.

“My job will be to help get in exciting programming that will serve the college and the community,” Matthews said. “That includes everything form improv comedy all the way to full plays also the music concerts.”

Matthews received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre, Lighting Design and Stage Management at Seattle Pacific University and her Master of Fine Arts in Drama and Stage Management at the University of California, Irvine. She has worked in the field for over 20 years, and has experience in big theatre cities such as New York. Previously, she was the technical manager on a national tour with World Vision’s Experience AIDS multimedia tour, which tells the stories of children in Africa suffering from the disease.

As the person in charge of booking shows at the Black Box Theatre, Matthews wants to showcase local talent, but also focus on making the theatre a community destination. She hopes it can become a place where community members, not just students, are excited to attend shows.

“I’m looking forward to the possibilities that the theatre has to offer,” she said. “It’s a fun, exciting theater space that has to much potential and I am looking forward to exposing that potential.”

The Black Box Theatre will be hosting an International Film Festival running from May 4-9, and it is free and open to the public.