As the curtain rises on the fall 2009 season, Austin Community College’s Arts and Humanities Division will be focused on “Process, Protest, Progress” to shape their must-see performances.

“The United States currently is going through what might be a difficult process of change, says Lyman Grant, Dean of Arts and Humanities. “Processes such as this, often are accompanied with protests and resistances. It is natural and expected. But what we hope is that whatever comes from the process can be seen as progress.”

“The division chose the theme because it is the nature of the Arts and Humanities to challenge and empower the culture,” says Darla Johnson, assistant director for Arts and Humanities. “We strive to excel in proving thoughtful and creative programming for students, faculty, and the Austin public.”

This year’s theme, “Process, Protest, Progress,” sets the tone for the season. It encompasses the journey of students and faculty as they bring their learning and practice alive on stage.

The division hopes to encapsulate their theme and highlight the growth of students. “Through investigating a ‘process,’ an opportunity for change or ‘protest’ is possible, which leads to ‘progress,’ ” says Johnson.

The Augustin Daly play “Under the Gaslight” is a prominent force in the season schedule. It debuts in late October on the Rio Grande Campus Mainstage Theatre.

“Under the Gaslight” was written in 1867 and set in New York City. It represents a step in theatrical evolution, according to Shelby Brammer, ACC Drama Department chair and director of the play.

“This was a time when special effects were becoming hugely popular and sought after by theatrical audiences attending a Broadway show, and Augustin Daly was at the forefront of those developments,” says Brammer. “He was like the Steven Spielberg of his day, as he wrote and produced and directed these crowd-pleasing big shows. While the Drama Department doesn’t have all the same technical effects available to us, we hope to stage the play with the same innovative spirit.”Â

The inventive play promises ACC audiences thrills, laughs, and tears.

“It is an action-adventure romance focusing on the basic story of good triumphing over evil,” Brammer says.

Other departments hope to capture “Process, Protest, Progress” in their works as well.

The Dance Department elected to explore the theme of “Process, Protest, Progress” with a Video Sampler Series that reviews historical and contemporary dance videos. A dance faculty member will curate the viewing and lead discussions.

The Philosophy Department has opted to explore topics such as Modernity and Political Process in its fall Lecture Series. On October 1, the Creative Writing Department will host writers Cristina Garcia and Liliana Valenzuela. Both Garcia, the author of four novels and several other volumes, and Valenzuela, a writer and translator of Garcia’s books, have confronted the power of personal and political change in their works.

“Each year department chairs, faculty, the dean, and administrators spend countless hours selecting and scheduling the season events,” Johnson says. “This is for the benefit of those participating in the programs and performances as well as those attending.”

Mark your calendar for the following events:

• Sept. 8 – 30 — ACC’s 2nd Annual Constitution Day Art Exhibit

  Location: Highland Business Center Foyer, 5930 Middle Fiskville Rd.

  Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ACC’s 2nd Annual Constitution Day, sponsored by the ACC Center for Public Policy and Political Studies, challenges students and faculty to answer the following question: “With reference to George Washington’s letter of September 17, 1787, addressed to the Articles of Confederation Congress, has the Constitution provided the necessary guidance for Americans in the generations since 1787?” Visit the exhibition to see how individuals interpreted and responded to this question.

• Sept. 10 — Religion Panel Discussion

  Location: Eastview Campus, 3401 Webberville Rd., Room 8500

  Time: 7 p.m.

The ACC Philosophy, Religion, and Humanities Department hosts the first of three panel discussions during the fall semester, exploring particular religious traditions or themes and their presence in the Austin community.

• Sept. 14 — Student Literary Gathering

  Location: Austin Java, 1206 Parkway

  Time: 7 p.m.

The ACC Creative Writing Department sponsors monthly Student Literary Gatherings open to all students and the public.

• Sept. 17 — Constitution Day Award Ceremony

  Location: Highland Business Center Foyer, 5930 Middle Fiskville Rd.

  Time: 6 p.m.

The Award Ceremony for ACC’s 2nd Annual Constitution Day takes place on September 17. See first event on the fall calendar for more information.

• Oct. 1 — Cristina Garcia and Liliana Valenzuela Reading

  Location: Rio Grande Campus Mainstage Theater, 1212 Rio Grande St.

  Time: 7 p.m.

National Book Award Finalist Cristina Garcia and acclaimed Spanish-language translator Liliana Valenzuela will give a collaborative reading. Sponsored by the Creative Writing Department and Arts and Humanities Division as part of The Big Read.

• Oct. 1 — “Modernity” Philosophy Lecture Series

  Location: Eastview Campus, 3401 Webberville Rd., Room 8500

  Time: 7 p.m.

Sponsored by ACC’s Austin Philosophy Forum.

• Oct. 8 — Dance Video Sampler Series

  Location: Rio Grande Campus Dance Studio, 1212 Rio Grande St., Room 130

  Time: 6 p.m.

The ACC Department of Dance presents its semestrial Dance Video Sampler Series.

• Oct. 12 — Student Literary Gathering

  Location: Austin Java, 1206 Parkway

  Time: 7 p.m.

The ACC Creative Writing Department sponsors monthly Student Literary Gatherings open to all students and the public.

• Oct. 15 — “Political Process” Philosophy Lecture Series

  Location: Eastview Campus, 3401 Webberville Rd., Room 8500

  Time: 7 p.m.

Sponsored by ACC’s Austin Philosophy Forum.

• Oct. 15 — Religion Panel Discussion

  Location: TBA

  Time: 7 p.m.

The ACC Philosophy, Religion, and Humanities Department hosts the second of three panel discussion events during the fall semester, exploring particular religious traditions or themes and their presence in the Austin community.

• Oct. 16 to Jan. 15 — 2009 Annual ACC Faculty Show

  Location: University of Texas Performing Arts Center Bass Concert Hall, Lobby

  Time: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Exhibition for Faculty of the Art Department of ACC.

• Oct. 30 to Nov. 8 — “Under the Gaslight”

  Location: Rio Grande Campus Mainstage Theater, 1212 Rio Grande St.

• Oct. 30 – 31, Nov. 1, Nov. 6 – 8

  Time: 8 p.m. Friday – Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday

“Under the Gaslight: A Totally Original and Picturesque Drama of Life and Love in These Times,” by Augustin Daly. Play directed by Shelby Brammer.

• Nov. 5 — Michael McGriff Reading

  Location: Rio Grande Campus Gallery Theater, 1212 Rio Grande St.

  Time: 7 p.m.

Michael McGriff is the ACC Balcones Prize-winning author of “Dismantling the Hills.”

• Nov. 12 — “Metropolis” Film Screening

  Location: Eastview Campus, 3401 Webberville Rd., Room 8500

  Time: 7 p.m.

Sponsored by ACC’s Austin Philosophy Forum.

• Nov. 16 — Student Literary Gathering

  Location: Austin Java, 1206 Parkway

  Time: 7 p.m.

The ACC Creative Writing Department sponsors monthly Student Literary Gatherings open to all students and the public.

• Nov. 18 – 19 — Fall 2009 Art Sale

  Location: Highland Business Center Foyer, 5930 Middle Fiskville Rd.

  Time: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

ACC Student and Faculty Art Sale.

• Nov. 19 — Religion Panel Discussion

  Location: Rio Grande Campus Gallery Theater, 1212 Rio Grande St.

  Time: 7 p.m.

The ACC Philosophy, Religion and Humanities Department hosts its final panel discussion of the fall semester, exploring particular religious traditions or themes and their presence in the Austin community.

• Nov. 19 – 20 — Holiday Art Sale

  Location: Highland Business Center Foyer, 5930 Middle Fiskville Rd.

  Time: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

ACC Student and Faculty Holiday Art Sale.

• Dec. 2— “The Rio Review” Publication Celebration

  Location: Rio Grande Campus Gallery Theater, 1212 Rio Grande St.

  Time: 7 p.m.

ACC’s literary journal features poems, prose, screenplays and artwork by students.

• Dec. 4 – 5 — Fall Choreographer’s Showcase

  Location: Rio Grande Campus Mainstage Theater, 1212 Rio Grande St.

  Time: 8 p.m.

The ACC Department of Dance presents its annual Fall Choreographers’ Showcase, highlighting the dancers’ progress throughout the semester.

• Dec. 7 — Student Literary Gathering

  Location: Austin Java, 1206 Parkway

  Time: 7 p.m.

The ACC Creative Writing Department sponsors monthly Student Literary Gatherings open to all students and the public.

• Dec. 10 — Fall Dance “Informance”

  Location: Rio Grande Campus Dance Studio, 1212 Rio Grande St., Room 130

  Time: 7 p.m.

The ACC Department of Dance presents its semestrial Dance Informance.