REVIEW: EIGHT SECONDS—Golden West College Theater Arts Department
- TheShowReport
- 5 days ago
- 6 min read
MARCH 6-15, 2026—HUNTINGTON BEACH
EIGHT SECONDS is a riveting new World Premiere crime drama by GWC Professor Tim Mueller about a young woman named Ellie who spends way too much time on the internet, connecting with some of the scariest people around. Her main objective is to expose to the world the people behind all the hate and misinformation they spread.
What Ellie doesn’t realize, however, is that turning out those buzzwords and catchphrases like “find your power,” and “take action against your abusers” will come back to haunt her. Because, unaware to her, one of her followers is interpreting her words as a mandate to commit murder.
Inspired by the concept that human attention spans are now just eight seconds (shorter than a goldfish), the play is directed by Tom Amen (“Psycho Beach Party;” “The Exorcist” —celebrating his 26th year as a Professor of Theater Arts at Golden West College), and explores the darkest side of humanity, parasocial relationships, the reality of violence and terrorism in seemingly the most innocent of places, and the rapid, often destructive nature of absorbing too much online information.
In the last few years, our interest in social media influencers has turned into a major obsession—a boon for those churning it out, but an increasingly troubling point of discussion. Chatrooms, podcasts and online gossip rooms have created a specific type of creepily invested superfan, overtly sharing their conspiracy theories, political views and “alt-right” prejudices and racism with a savage, flagrant brashness and malevolence, uneasily defining their number one hobby as “hate crime.”
In EIGHT SECONDS, the exceptional cast of 7 is directed by GWC Professor Tom Amen. Catherine Dosier (2024 Jimmy Awards Finalist) plays a young, head-strong female named Ellie. She’s smart with a sense of humor that’s borderline sarcastic—and maybe even a little rude—but she is very committed to social justice and often voices that resolve to her ragtag proponents and emulators. That commitment, however, while fighting hate and racism online, can cause her to be blind to other factors, and, if she’s not careful, her strong vocal admonishments to the wrong people might be taken literally, resulting in some serious inchoate consequences.
First, we see Steve (Nick Flum in his 2nd GWC production). Steve is a 20’s-plus male whose primary concern is his own physical looks and status with women. Actually, Steve’s a loner, very foul-mouthed, and quite volatile, with a strong hatred of women in general, probably because he hasn’t had a date in years. He’s what you call an Incel (short for Involuntary Celibate). The biggest part of every day, you can find Steve online talking with others and selling his point of view. Steve still lives at home with his mother, which produces a lot of internal conflict with almost disastrous outcome.
Then there’s Chris (Jack Clark; “Playing with Fire: After Frankenstein”). Chris is a product of imposter syndrome. He can be either male or female and the role (an aggressive First Amendment attorney) is actually played by two different actors. Around 40-something, he’s definitely a white supremacist, although professional, pristine and well educated. Chris doesn’t like to swear or use crass language—bad for his image. But there’s one thing he is good at—manipulating others.
When Chris becomes a suspect, the female version emerges (Mia Josimović; 2023 Orange Curtain Best Supporting Actor/Managing Director Costa Mesa Playhouse). Ms. Josimović’s incarnation of Chris easily outmaneuvers the FBI’s initial accusations amid a torrent of rage and xenophobic arguments. Then suddenly, blurring lines of influence, another lead tracks the FBI to our protagonist.
Carl (Christopher Spencer— “The Nether;” Tour: “Disney’s Beauty and the Beast”) is a senior citizen with a great sense of humor. He can be very affable and likable and has a strong commitment to his beliefs. He is a conspiracy nut, however, who believes the world is flat. Unfortunately, he is also very gullible and subject to the power of suggestion. In his world, any external cue, word, or condonement from someone he respects can influence his thoughts or behavior without any conscious awareness.
Carl desperately seeks approval and affirmation from Ellie, who he looks to be his safety valve, mentor, and friend, although the two have never met in person. He seems to operate on response expectancies, where, perhaps, even an innocent suggestion, such as, “go try and fulfill your destiny,” may trigger drastic actions that bring that suggestion to fruition—and many times with tragic aftermath.
The two hard-nosed FBI agents in the play are decidedly pivotal to the story. First there’s the female agent—Agent Rogers—portrayed by Carrie Vinikow (who you’ve seen on this stage multiple times: “The Diviners;” “The Secret Garden;” etc.). Ms. Vinikow’s rendition is in her mid-40’s, well-seasoned, and one who stays cool under pressure. She’s mature with a high level of confidence and not easily provoked.
Her eight-year partner and cohort is Agent Collazo, played by David Rodriguez, another stage veteran (“Once;” “Silent Sky;” “Dial M for Murder”), but all of his work is through other local theatres. Mr. Rodriguez is cast as a competent, younger agent, but one who tends to react emotionally to get suspects to talk. Primarily, it’s a good cop/bad cop psychological tactic regularly used by investigators for interrogation.
Playwright Tim Mueller has been a scenic designer for the past 30 years, having created over 1000 projects within that time and has also been teaching design, fabrication, scenic painting, lighting and other technical theatre crafts for more than 20 years at Southern California schools, such as Vanguard University, Concordia University, Orange Coast College and now, full time at Golden West College. In light of current, apropos and timely events, we offer strong congratulations to Tim on a very important message. It’s definitely in the zeitgeist!
In retrospect, Director Tom Amen, who says it much better than I ever could, offers this quick analysis of EIGHT SECONDS…”the play is a stinging indictment of hatred in all of its forms, and extremism is all of its guises. Regardless of where they may land on the sociopolitical spectrum, those whose hearts are filled with hatred, those holding extreme views, etc., tend to cling desperately to fixed ideas and positions at all costs—there is seldom if ever a sense of moderation, nor is there room for even the slightest deviation or debate, let alone actual dissent.
Every moral or ethical dilemma inevitably boils down to a simplistic question of black or white, right or wrong, good or evil- logic, paradox, subtlety, and nuance are either consciously anathema, or lost completely on the dead certain. And, in being dead certain, the extremist mindset becomes a dangerous weapon in that it seeks to intimidate or destroy anything it cannot understand, and anyone that cannot be readily convinced, converted, or coerced, often at the point of blade or barrel.”
GOLDEN WEST COLLEGE THEATER ARTS DEPARTMENT PRESENTS: THE WORLD PREMIERE OF EIGHT SECONDS. Written by TIM MUELLER; Directed by TOM AMEN; Scenic Design by NICHOLAS ELDER; Lighting Design by MATT SCHLEICHER; Costume Design by GRACE FORREST; Sound Design by PAISHA BLEICH; Hair & Makeup Design by JEN MCLEAN and JAY GECK; Projection Design by CHRIS HO; Technical Director BRYAN DAUTERIVE; Production Stage Manager LYDIA MCRAE.
FEATURING: CATHERINE DOSIER as Ellie; NICK FLUM as Steve; JACK CLARK as Chris; CHRISTOPHER SPENCER as Carl; MIA JOSIMOVIC as Chris; CARRIE VINIKOW as Agent Rogers; DAVID RODRIGUEZ as Agent Collazo.
EIGHT SECONDS will run March 6th through 15th (Thursday – Sunday). Performances are in GWC’s 326-seat Mainstage Theater, 15751 Gothard St., Huntington Beach, CA 92647. NOTE: This production contains adult language and situations and is intended for mature audiences.
Tickets are available at: https://gwctickets.universitytickets.com/?cid=167
CHRIS DANIELS
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT REVIEWER
THE SHOW REPORT
Photo Credits: GWC Theater Arts Department
4/5
