The Communication Arts Department is thrilled to announce the newest addition to our faculty team, Ilknur Ozgur, who will be joining us as a Theatre/Communication Instructor!
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Ilknur comes to us with an impressive background in both theatre arts and communication, bringing a wealth of knowledge, passion, and experience to our department. Â Click here to learn more.
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Ilknur is known for her innovative teaching and directing and is dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive learning environment. She is ready to inspire our students and contribute to our vibrant academic community. We are excited to see the positive impact she will have on our students, faculty, and the broader community. Â
Welcome aboard, Ilknur! We are so glad to have you with us.Â
Kevin Long and Mary T. Christel hosting the “Coffee with the Director and Dramaturg” series before Harper's production of Guys and Dolls, 2025.
Our Theatre Department expresses our heartfelt gratitude to Mary T. Christel for her incredible work as a volunteer dramaturg for many of our theatre department productions.Â
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Mary’s ability to delve into the text and provide meaningful context and analysis not only enriches the overall experience of our productions, but also inspires everyone involved – our production teams, our students, and our community members. Mary’s work fosters a deeper connection to the plays and musicals we produce which allows us all to explore each piece with greater understanding and appreciation.
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We are fortunate to have Mary as part of our Harper College Theatre family. We look forward to the many ways Mary’s contributions will continue to resonate within our department and the community we serve.
Photographs by Steve Donisch
Crimes of the Heart, Driving Miss Daisy, Follies, Shakespeare in Love
Have you seen the photographic images of our productions? They are nothing short of amazing. This is the work of our theatre photographer Steve Donisch.Â
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Our theatre department wishes to express sincere gratitude to Steve for the photographs he takes of our theatre productions. His talent and eye for detail captures the essence of each performance. Each photograph tells a story and accurately conveys the moments we strive to create on stage. His work not only enhances our productions but also preserves these moments for us and our audiences to cherish for years to come.
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Thank you, Steve, for your dedication and your artistry. We look forward to continuing our collaboration for many shows to come.
There’s no applause left in J Theatre.
This summer, as demolition crews raze Building J, they’re taking down more than just brick and concrete – they’re dismantling a stage that helped launch careers, sparked lifelong friendships and turned student dreams into standing ovations. It’s where Jay Leno cracked jokes, Adam West shared stories and Buddy Guy made a memorable entrance. Click here to read more.
Donate to The Mary Jo Willis Theatre Fund
Named after Mary Jo Willis, the founder of our theatre department who also generously donated funds to become our first angel, we have created the Willis Angel Fund to help support the work of our theatre department.
With your generous contributions, we can ensure that aspiring Harper College students and community member have the resources they need to bring their creative visions to life on stage creating unforgettable musical performances that impact our community.
Every donation, no matter how small, makes a difference. Join us in empowering the next generation of theatre artists and preserving the magic of live performance for years to come here at Harper College.Â
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OUR ENSEMBLE ISN'T COMPLETE WITHOUT YOU
Be an angel to our college theatre department. Support the Mary Jo Willis Theatre Angel Fund today.Â
For the first time ever, D214 Arts Unlimited collaborated with Harper College to host their Drama Day event for theater and drama students. Students had the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops, including stage combat, musical theater, acting for the camera and more. This event provided students with an opportunity to learn and collaborate with theater students from other schools.