Feature: The dynamic Marcus Carter gives AVC students some inspiration

By Sarah Niemann

Staff Writer

Marcus Carter is what they call a triple threat in the musical theater industry.
Photo Courtesy / Marcus Carter

Singing opera, dancing, acting and studying deaf interpreting—not a mixture you would normally find from someone coming out of Antelope Valley College.

Triple threat Marcus Carter is more cultured than most people would expect from a 21-year-old college student. Coming from the background of a family that is talented in the performing arts, he has always been motivated to be better and achieve more.

         He started vocal training when he was 12 and stated dance at a young age because of his sister.

         Carter has a tendency to stand out from the crowd. “I feel like I think about things in the performing arts differently than other people…more technical. I have more charisma and more of an attitude of optimism,”  he said.

Marcus Carter and Sade Harper as
Coalhouse Walker and Sarah 
from Ragtime.
Photo Credit / Bill Marsh

         Carter decided to study deaf interpretation at AVC because his best friend's parents are deaf. “I wanted to communicate with them, and gain a culture most hearing people don’t get to see,” he said.

         According to the Webster’s dictionary, the phrase “triple threat” refers to a person who is adept in three different fields of activity, but there is more to it than just that. “You have to know each craft equally; some people are stronger in dancing than they are in singing, or they are better at acting. I’m stronger in singing, so I have to work harder at acting and dancing so they all can reach the same level,” he said, adding that it’s not always easy to rehearse all three.

Marcus Carter as Collins from
Rent The Musical.
Photo Credit / Cedar Street Theater

          Carter can switch from opera to jazz and gospel, to musical theater; he can also read, write and compose music. It sets him aside from most people, including ones who are in the industry.

“Not everyone is about the true craft anymore. They’re about what’s hot right now; I’m about the art. How can I make it better, sweeter, more sensual? How can I connect with the audience?,” he said about how he wants to use his talents. 

Carter doesn’t want to be in the limelight; he just wants to be on the stage.“I don’t want to be praised for something I should be doing with my life,” he said. 

So what's next for this gifted singer/dancer/Actor?

In the near future he will be finishing up at AVC with his Deaf Interpreting training and moving on to get his B.A. in Fine Arts at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy.

After completing school he said he wants to be part of a touring cast company or a classical singer doing recitals or concerts. “I want to be able to put on a concert with my family,” Carter said. 

With goals like Carter’s and his strong ambition there is no doubt that this is only the beginning for him.

OPINION: Say no to Recommendation 3.2

By Maria Cortes
Staff Writer

I think we can all agree that college life is not what it is portrayed in the media. Everyone expects parties that never end, half hour classes and an endless supply of greasy food that you regret eating the next morning. Truth is, college life is fun but it’s hard, crippling work. If the studying and late night classes don’t send you over the edge, the money problems will.

Thankfully AVC has this wonderful thing called the BOG Fee Waiver that helps low-income students play for classes. A large majority of the students on campus have the BOG waiver and if it weren’t for it, they would not be able to further their education.

OPINION: The utilitarian decision

By Maria Cortes
Staff Writer

Let me paint you a picture.

You are a surgeon at a hospital and a very beloved political leader has just been shot in the chest. The bullet has punctured the right ventricle of the heart and threatened the marginal artery. To make matters worse, secondary bronchial cartilage has fractured in his lung, causing further internal bleeding. He is now in desperate need of a heart and lung transplant. None of his relatives and trusted advisers are matches and his time is slowly running out.

There is a homeless man in the next room who only has a few days to live. He has no living relatives or close relationships, and just happens to be a perfect match.

SPORTS: Five Marauders are given positions on All-Central West teams

By Codie Walsh
Staff Writer

The Marauder’s football team finished the season with three wins and seven losses giving them fifth place in the Foothill Conference. Five Marauders were recognized and given position on the All-Central West teams. Named to first team were Kyle Steffes and Derrick Dison. Steffes got both place kicker and punter. Dison is the first Marauder quarterback in over 30 years to be named first team. The men named to the second team were Jeremy Evans, Edwin Delva and Lonnie Parish. Evans is second in receptions for AVC. Delva is the only freshman named to a team. Parish led AVC in both tackles and defensive points as outside linebacker. Despite having a difficult season, these five Marauders exemplify the best the team has to offer.

SPORTS: Clarification regarding headline

In the Graduation 2011 issue of the Examiner, published in Dec. 2011, an article ran on page 23 titled, “There’s a first time for everything, even for AVC,” in regard to the Antelope Valley College women’s soccer team winning its conference.

The headline was used as filler and was not supposed to run.

There wasn’t any malicious intent to mock the soccer team or its success this season.