Ouachita to present One Act Play Festival for on-campus audiences Nov. 19-20

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November 05, 2020 - Meagan Woodard

Ouachita Baptist University’s Department of Theatre Arts will present its biannual, student directed One Act Play Festival on Thursday, Nov. 19, and Friday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m. in Verser Theatre. Due to health guidelines, limited seating is available only to Ouachita students, faculty and staff. Tickets are free and available at www.obu.edu/boxoffice.

The One Act Play Festival features a variety of plays entirely produced by students for their end-of-semester project in Ouachita’s senior directing class. The performances highlight what students have learned in the course and in their years at Ouachita.

“I have been humbled by the focus, unity and patience the students have displayed throughout this semester,” said Matthew Murry, visiting assistant professor of theatre arts at Ouachita and instructor for the directing course. “They all have their own directing style, and I have enjoyed observing their unique rehearsal element.”

“You can expect laughs from most of our one acts, honesty and a lot of relatability,” said Brooklyn Jennings, a senior theatre arts and education double major from Greenville, Texas. “One acts are a unique opportunity to be a part of; a portion of the actors are not theatre majors at all! We’re all excited to present our one acts to you!”

Jennings is directing “The Spot;” Lizzy Ring, a senior musical theatre major from Cabot, Ark., is directing “Juice Box;” Danielle Hall, a senior musical theatre major from Prairie Grove, Ark., is directing “I Think You Think I Love You;” Ryan Lynch, a senior musical theatre major from Bryant, Ark., is directing “Ring Tone;” Abi Anderson, a senior theatre arts and education double major from Mesquite, Texas, is directing “Boy Meets Girl;” Elizabeth Dawson, a senior musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark., is directing “Watermelon Boats;” and Paige Price, a senior musical theatre major from Plano, Texas, is directing “Call of the Revolution.”

All of the one act plays will be performed on both Thursday, Nov. 19, and Friday, Nov. 20.

“The Spot,” written by Steven Dietz, will feature performances by Wyatt Ashlock, a sophomore theatre arts major from Royse City, Texas; Kenzie Burks, a freshman communications and media/multimedia journalism major from Beebe, Ark.; LilyKay Feimster, a sophomore theatre arts major from Atlanta, Texas; Mavric Herrera, a freshman music major from Wylie, Texas; Amy Jackson, a junior theatre arts major from Cypress, Texas; Hayley Johnson, a sophomore musical theatre major from Hot Springs, Ark.; and Juli Parsons, a freshman business administration/entrepreneurship major from Celina, Texas. Savannah Staggs, a freshman speech and theatre arts education double major from Little Rock, Ark., is serving as stage manager.

“Juice Box,” written by Lindsay Price, will feature performances by Bella Owen, a sophomore musical theatre major from Jonesboro, Ark., and Kristi Roshto, a senior English major from Alexandria, La. Rachel Medina, a junior musical theatre major from Shreveport, La., is serving as stage manager.

“I wanted to pick this one act because it has a combination of properness mixed with mayhem. I wanted to choose a one act that showcased who I am, in a way, and this one pretty much sums me up!” Ring said.

“I Think You Think I Love You,” written by Kelly Younger, will feature performances by Landon Denman, a sophomore theatre arts major from Fort Worth, Texas, and Avery Stahl, a freshman choral music education major from Russellville, Ark. Erin Bagley, a sophomore musical theatre major from White Oak, Texas, is serving as stage manager.

“I really love comedies, but this one stuck out to me!” Hall said . “It deals with some heavier topics, such as the passing of a loved one, but there's still a light-hearted air to it.”

“Ring Tone,” by Bruce Kane, will feature performances by Carlin Campbell, a senior musical theatre major from Rose Hill, Kan., and Payton Mixon, a sophomore musical theatre major from New Caney, Texas. Scarlett Castleberry, a senior communications & media and psychology double major from Little Rock, Ark., is serving as stage manager.

“I chose my one act because it is full of humor, while also having a sweet message at the end,” Lynch said .

“Boy Meets Girl,” by Wendy Wasserstein, will feature performances by Eli Butler, a freshman musical theatre major from Greenwood, Ark.; Mallory Cain, a senior music industry major from Little Rock, Ark.; Sam Campione, a junior musical theatre major from Waxahachie, Texas.; Bailey Ellison, a junior theatre arts major from Walnut Ridge, Ark.; Kinder Hinrichs, a freshman theatre arts major from Harrison, Ark.; and Bri Penn, a junior music major from Benton, Ark. Sarah Franklin, sophomore musical theatre major from Grand Cane, La., is serving as stage manager.

“‘Boy Meets Girl’ is a snapshot about love in 1970s New York,” Anderson said.

“Watermelon Boats,” by Wendy MacLaughlin, will feature performances by Hannah Gothard, a senior musical theatre major from Cleveland, Texas, and Kinsey Potts, a junior musical theatre major from Wylie, Texas. Ashlyn Lockhart, a junior musical theatre major from Holiday Island, Ark., is serving as stage manager.

“‘Watermelon Boats’ follows the story of two best friends over the course of 10 years,” Dawson said. “The two girls are polar opposites and disagree on a lot, but their love and respect for each other always triumphs. It is a story of always choosing kindness, even when your opinions differ from others.”

“Call of the Revolution,” by Leonid Andreyev, will feature performances by Sara Kate Cole, a sophomore musical theatre major from Fort Smith, Ark., and Payton Hickman, a junior musical theatre major from Siloam Springs, Ark. Julia Letcher, a sophomore musical theatre major from Plano, Texas, is serving as stage manager.

Tickets are free and available on the Box Office website, www.obu.edu/boxoffice. For more information, contact the Box Office at (870) 245-5555 weekdays from 1-5 p.m.