Beyond Directing: Dr. Harrop’s Lasting Influence
After 45 years of directing, SMC theater professor and director Dr. Adrianne Harrop’s influence and encouragement continue to inspire student actors. Her newest production of Ken Ludwig’s “Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood” falls nothing short of excellence.
Harrop chose this fun-loving, heartfelt comedy for Santa Monica College’s (SMC) spring semester. She has brought to life a magical story that is sure to uplift and generate laughs from the crowds.
Born in the South and raised on the East Coast, Harrop has been on stage from a very young age. “Well, in my office is a photograph of a little five-year-old girl dressed up as Snow White in the kindergarten show “Snow White,” so I guess I’ve been acting since I was five years old,” she said.
As Harrop emerged into adulthood, she attended the University of Iowa for Theater and obtained her master’s degree in Fine Arts at Stanford. She also completed her doctoral degree in Theater at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and received an MBA at Pepperdine.
After acting for most of her adolescence and early adulthood, Harrop transitioned into directing. “It’s just a natural thing to go into directing. You’ve done that part of it [acting], so you kinda want to be in charge instead of being the one that’s being moved around,” she said.
In addition to earning multiple degrees, Harrop has also taught and directed internationally and visited over 80 countries.
Since directing over 200 hundred productions at SMC, Harrop’s main drive for continuing her craft is those she has the pleasure of working with.
“I’m really picky when choosing my cast,” Harrop said. Not only do they have to have talent, but they also have to be team players in the ensemble, and this is a blessed cast. All of my casts have been blessed casts.”
Along with cultivating a productive, creative space, Harrop also places the utmost importance on supporting and encouraging her actors throughout the production process. Collectively, all of the actors conveyed fond feelings about their time with Harrop.
“When she wants you to be a part of something and invites you to it, she has a warm and welcoming way of doing that, and she very much feels supportive and like a family,” said Scotty Cullen, an SMC Theater Arts major who plays Friar Tuck, the narrator.
Dereck J. Gallardo, an SMC Film major who plays Little John, Robin’s friend, said, “I still don't even consider myself an actor. I’m more of a film person. Without her, I wouldn’t be here. She’s such a tremendous teacher.”
For other castmates, Harrop’s influence stemmed further than their academic endeavors. Marin Halbert, SMC Theater Arts major playing Deorwynn Miller, shared her experience with a previous theater company in which she was told she was “worthless” and “would never amount to much.” When Halbert met Harrop, she was shocked by the support.“The first time I ever did anything for her, I performed a monologue, and she was sobbing after it,” said Halbert, feeling greatly respected after that experience.
Harrop’s ability to foster uplifting and nurturing relationships with her actors and students has impacted many individuals’ lives. Many today have Harrop to thank for aiding their personal development.
“I designed this theater, I dreamed of this theater, I helped raise the money for this theater-” Harrop said. “Getting the bond issue passed. I worked with architects. Interestingly enough, the architects ended up being from Stanford, and I kinda knew them.”
SMC’s main stage theater was modeled after UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion, an indoor arena with steeply raked seating, making it accessible for those to view the attraction from any seat.
“This theater is one of the best around. Because I’m so short, I made sure that every seat in the house had a perfect view of the stage – there is no seat in this house behind another seat. Every single seat is interspersed, and the architects had a fit,” Harrop said.
As yet another production directed by Harrop comes to a close, her imprint on those involved in the project will forever be remembered for her influence.
Alex Cole, an SMC Theater Arts major playing Robin Hood, explained that he has grown in all aspects of his life, not only creatively but also in his day-to-day confidence. “I’ve grown so much as a person while working with her, not just with acting,” Cole said.
Harrop’s rendition of “Sherwood: The Adventures of Robin Hood” can be viewed at the SMC Main Stage theater on March 29, 30, and 31 at 7:30 p.m. and March 31 at 2 p.m. Admission is $20 for general admission, $18 for seniors (62+), and $15 for SMC students and staff with proof of ID.
