Ouachita Department of Theatre Arts to present “Hay Fever” Nov. 4-8

happenings

October 20, 2020 - Madeline Martin

Hay Fever poster Ouachita Baptist University’s Department of Theatre Arts will present its fall production, “Hay Fever,” beginning Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 7:30 p.m. in Verser Theatre. Performances will continue Nov. 5-7 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee performance on Sunday, Nov. 8, at 2:30 p.m. Due to COVID-19, seating is limited to Ouachita students, faculty and staff, but a ticketed livestreaming option will be available at www.obu.edu/boxoffice.

Written by Noel Coward, “Hay Fever” is a three-act comedy set in 1920s London. The plot focuses on the self-centered Bliss family, whose eccentricity becomes apparent when each member invites a guest for the weekend. The outsiders’ visit sheds lights on the Bliss’ craziness, eventually driving the guests away.

Danielle Hall, a senior musical theatre major from Prairie Grove, Ark., plays the matriarch of the family, Judith Bliss, a former actress who longs to return to the stage.

“She loves a bit of drama,” Hall said. “Her whole character is found in her trying to make drama in her own life since she misses the stage so much.”

Paige Price, a senior musical theatre major from Plano, Texas, plays Judith’s daughter, Sorel. Price said she enjoys the show’s comedy-of-manners style.

“My favorite part of the process – besides just being lucky enough to do in-person theatre in these trying times – has probably been figuring out the dialect and finding the humor in the style of the show,” Price said.

For director Matthew Murry, Ouachita visiting assistant professor of theatre arts, he hopes the audience finds an escape in the show’s lighthearted nature.

“There’s going to be something about it that you find interesting or unique,” Murry said.

Eric Phillips, professor of theatre arts, serves as scenic and lighting designer, and Kelsey Looney, visiting assistant professor of theatre arts, serves as costume and makeup designer.

Kailee Morehart, a senior music major from Alexander, Ark., serves as assistant student lighting designer; Ashlynn Lockhart, a junior musical theatre major from Holiday Island, Ark., serves as stage manager; and Kinsey Potts, a junior musical theatre major from Wylie, Texas, serves as assistant stage manager.

Tickets are on sale at the OBU Box Office and www.obu.edu/boxoffice. Ouachita students receive one free ticket upon presentation of their student ID. For more information, contact the Box Office at (870) 245-5555 weekdays from 1-5 p.m.

Cast:

Danielle Hall, a senior musical theatre major from Prairie Grove, Ark., as Judith Bliss
Ryan Lynch, a senior musical theatre major from Bryant, Ark., as David Bliss
Sammy Campione, a junior musical theatre major from Waxahachie, Texas, as Simon Bliss
Paige Price, a senior musical theatre major from Plano, Texas, as Sorel Bliss
Landon Denman, a sophomore theatre arts and history double major from Fort Worth, Texas, as Sandy Tyrell
Elizabeth Dawson, a senior musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark., as Jackie Coryton
Molly Kennedy, a senior musical theatre major from Melissa, Texas, as Myra Arundel
Carlin Campbell, a senior musical theatre major from Rose Hill, Kan., as Richard Greatham
Makenna Schaeffer, a junior musical theatre major from Texarkana, Ark., as Clara
Kinder Hinrichs, a freshman theatre arts major from Harrison, Ark., as the male swing
Autumn Romines, a senior musical theatre major from Cabot, Ark., as the understudy for Judith Bliss
Payton Mixon, a sophomore musical theatre major from New Caney, Texas, as the understudy for Sorel Bliss
Elizabeth Ring, a senior musical theatre major from Cabot, Ark., as the understudy for Jackie Coryton.
Hannah Adair, a senior musical theatre major from Bryant, Ark., as the understudy for Myra Arundel
Amy Jackson, a senior theatre arts and communications & media/film studies double major from Cypress, Texas, as the understudy for Clara

Crew leaders:

Mikenzie Blase, a sophomore theatre arts and education double major from Texarkana, Texas, as house manager
Bailey Ellison, a junior theatre arts major from Walnut Ridge, Ark., as property master
Amy Jackson, a junior theatre arts major from Cypress, Texas, as makeup/hair crew head
Julia Letcher, a sophomore musical theatre major from Plano, Texas, as sound crew head and board operator
Madeline Martin, a senior musical theatre and communications & media/strategic communications double major from Sheridan, Ark., as publicity head
Ray Medina, a junior musical theatre and mass communications double major from Shreveport, La., as costume crew head
Kristi Roshto, a senior English major from Alexandria, La., as food props crew head
Matigan Snook, a junior theatre arts major from Cedar Hill, Texas, as light crew head and board operator

Costume crew:

Abi Anderson, a senior theatre arts and education double major from Mesquite, Texas
Brittney Bedlington, a sophomore theatre arts and education double major from Bedford, Texas
Chaney Campbell, a sophomore musical theatre major from Rogers, Ark.

Makeup & hair crew:

Sara Kate Cole, a sophomore musical theatre major from Fort Smith, Ark.
Hayley Johnson, a sophomore musical theatre major from Hot Springs, Ark.
Grace Woodward, a freshman musical theatre major from Plano, Texas

Technical, lighting and props crew:

Abi Anderson, a senior theatre arts and education double major from Mesquite, Texas, as props build crew
Wyatt Ashlock, a sophomore theatre arts and communications & media/film studies double major from Royse City, Texas, as camera/streaming operator
Emma Lawyer, a senior musical theatre major from Wynne, Ark., as lobby display designer