Pirates Log

Issue date: 3/23/06 Section: Entertainment

Victoria Noel

The solitary and elusive photograph that was taken by Victoria Noel, a Modesto Junior College student from Turlock, has been awarded a $500 prize by a local theater group in conjunction with the MJC Photography Department.

Noel's photo was chosen to represent the Pulitzer Prize winning play, "night, Mother" by Martha Norman, a production of which is soon to open in Modesto. Riff-Raff Productions and the MJC Photography Department joined together to offer a $500 photography/artwork scholarship to the student with the photograph that represents the best interpretation of the play. This is the first time such an award has been offered.

The judges were Doug Smith, professor of photography, Mardi Brewer, MJC technology training specialist and Richard Mann, Founder of Riff-Raff Productions.

"It's well composed," says Smith. "And beautifully open to interpretation, yet it has an attitude of independence."

Many MJC professors and personnel are involved in the play's production including, Lori Sammis, health services technician; Anne Shanto, performing arts costume specialist; Lue Martin, switchboard operator; Rich Lovitt, reprographic operator; Larry Zabel, stage management specialist and Mike Sundquist, Interim Dean of the Arts, Humanities and Communications Division.

"Right away my eye was drawn to this photograph," says Brewer, who is also stage manager for the production. "It captures the feeling of light-heartedness in the play without giving it away."

"It is a very moving photograph that depicts the rural America of the play's setting," says Mann.

The photograph will be used for future advertising and publicity purposes regarding the play.

'night, Mother will be opening April 14 at the Townsend Opera Center. Tickets are $15 at the door or they can be ordered by phone, (209) 756-1758.

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