Building a Professional Team in a Creative Environment

Staff Writer

Photo submitted by Allison Ognibene

When the Sussex County Community College’s theater program chose the 1945 Pulitzer prize-winning comedy, “Harvey” by Mary Chase, for their fall production, the production team realized that the set was going to be a big job. The set has to change from a mansion into a sanitarium in less than 45 seconds.

“Harvey” director Allison Ognibene, adjunct and lead faculty of theater, gathered a team of SCCC professionals, students, and community craftsmen to work on the production. The entire cast chosen to perform is SCCC students, and they are doing a phenomenal job.

Professor Camille Fuller, who teaches costume technology, is the costume designer, Professor Jimmy Jeffreys, who teaches storyboarding, is taking the headshots, and Professor Tim O’Connor, who teaches live sound production, will have his class handle the live sound during “Harvey.”

But here’s the biggest surprise!

Who knew how creative the business department was? Adjunct professor Michele Tagliabue, who teaches business, early childhood education, and effective speaking, also has a theater background working in middle schools, and is handling the properties for the show. She suggested Professor Jason Petecca join the team.

Photo submitted by Allison Ognibene

Petecca, who teaches accounting, is now the lead set builder for “Harvey”. He used to own a construction company and has worked on set building for television. Petecca is working with two theater technology students, who are taking a theater internship class with Chair Sherry Fitzgerald.

Petecca’s key phrase when building the set and making pertinent decisions is, “Does this bring you joy?”

Some hard decisions were made on what to toss in the new shed, and thankfully, facilities helped take out the items that did not bring us joy. Thank you, Rose, Frank, and Team!

“What finds me joy is seeing a group of SCCC professionals and craftspeople working with our students, who are getting hands-on experience and strengthening practical skills such as teamwork, organizing, and time management,” remarked Ognibene. “It’s so important for our students to work with our SCCC instructors, who believe in the vision of the college. We are creating a dynamic college experience, and we welcome all students and community members in a professional learning environment. Come out to create and help build and grow with us!”

Interested in being on the theater crew? Email aognibene@sussex.edu.

“Harvey” will open on Thursday, November 6, at 7 p.m. and Friday, November 7, at 7 p.m. Saturday, November 8 at 2 p.m.; Friday, November 14 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, November 15 at 2 p.m.; Saturday, November 15 at 7 p.m. at the college’s Performing Arts Center.