The College of the Canyons Theatre Department is inviting community members to experience all the artistic intimacy of the one-person show, during the 2011 Solopalooza being held Dec. 6 and 7.

Featuring two nights of original solo performances by more than 25 COC theatre students, the event is sure to dazzle and delight audiences with a combination of gut-wrenching honesty, startling insights and surprising humor.

“The COC theatre department is proud to once again offer audiences the opportunity to see the impressive level of talent on display during Solopalooza,” said Paul Wickline, COC theatre department chair. “The unique collection of pieces our students have written, and will now perform, draw upon many universal themes that all audiences can relate to.”

Over the last semester, students from the college’s Theatre 195: Solo Performance course have worked with COC theatre instructor and Solopalooza director Susan Hinshaw to create a series of original performance pieces, that are both socially provocative and highly entertaining.

“The stories being featured at this year’s Solopalooza are wonderful and diverse,” Hinshaw said. “We have Botox stories, fight club stories, stories about immigration, fairy tale creatures, crazy parents and even an appearance by a wealthy, turn-of-the-century English Lord.

“Each of these stories are great fun, poignant and thought provoking,” added Hinshaw, “and our students have worked very hard to be able to perform them so beautifully.”

Solopalooza performances will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, and Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the Repertory East Playhouse, located at 24266 Main Street, in downtown Newhall.

All ages are welcome, however some performances contain mature language and adult subject matter. Event organizers are asking all attendees to contribute what they can in lieu of an admission price.

For more information about the College of the Canyons theatre department’s Solopalooza contact Paul Wickline at 661-362-3152.