Ouachita Stories

The Department of Theatre Arts at Ouachita Baptist University will present “Tanglewood,” a musical written and directed by senior Sammy Campione, from Feb. 16-21 in Verser Theatre.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, Feb. 16-17; Saturday, Feb. 19; and Monday, Feb. 21. A matinee is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 20, at 2:30 p.m.

“Tanglewood” was selected for the department’s annual Muse Project, which allows students majoring in theatre, musical theatre or theatre education to create works based on what most inspires them and then bring those works to the stage.

“This year, in ‘Tanglewood’ we have a student written, composed and directed musical that also showcases student designers, technicians and performers,” said Eric Phillips, professor of theatre arts at Ouachita. “The Muse Project slot is a great place for Ouachita students to do applied creative work in theatre that goes above usual undergraduate work and features a fully-produced performance of their work supported by the entire department. These projects give the selected students a chance to collaborate in a professional mode in their field while still having the support of an educational framework. 

“These Muse Projects also create a popular slot in our season with strong audience attendance, because the students involved in creating it are creating work that is directly related to their and their fellow Ouachita students’ concerns and ideas; our other productions are instead looking at a broad range of educational opportunity for students studying theatre,” he added. “The Muse Project is experiential learning in theatre arts with the bonus of creating strong connective art works for our campus.”

Campione, a musical theatre major from Waxahachie, Texas, said that “Tanglewood” was born from an idea he had for a song about three years ago; the song itself would evolve into “Fairytales,” the show’s opening number. Campione describes “Tanglewood” as a colorful, whimsical story that takes place in a forest populated with animals who demonstrate “what can be accomplished through the strength of a community that stands up together to confront an uncomfortable truth.”

“It’s been everything I possibly could have asked for, working on this show with all these passionate people bringing their talents to it,” Campione said. “There are really no words to describe the fulfillment and joy it brings.”

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at www.obu.edu/boxoffice or weekdays from 1-5 p.m. at the Ouachita Box Office. Students who present their Ouachita ID upon purchase will receive one free ticket. For more information, contact the box office at (870) 245-5555.

 

CAST:

• Cordell Hufstedler, a junior vocal music performance major from Thayer, Mo., as Kip
• Maddy Moore, a sophomore musical theatre and theatre arts double major from Mesquite, Texas, as Cassie
• Noah Warford, a junior musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark., as Ferdinand Uspergis Cordante III
• Kenzie Burks, a sophomore theatre arts and education double major from Beebe, Ark., as Windy
• Sarah Wagner, a freshman graphic design major from Alexander, Ark., as Credence/Abomination
• Halle Jones, a sophomore musical theatre major from Fort Worth, Texas, as Pyke
• Isabella Owen, a senior musical theatre major from Jonesboro, Ark., as Ridley
• Savannah Staggs, a sophomore speech/theatre arts and education double major from Little Rock, Ark., as Finnegan
• Logan Babel, a freshman worship arts major from Beebe, Ark., as Bron/Abomination
• Julia Letcher, a junior musical theatre major from Plano, Texas, as Rhandi Owlsworth;
• Kenna Handy, a senior musical theatre major from Texarkana, Ark., as Rhonda Owlsworth
• AnnaMarie Cobb, a freshman music/choral education major from Arkadelphia, Ark., as understudy for Rhandi Owlsworth, Rhonda Owlsworth and Uncle Toby
• Kinder Hinrichs, a sophomore theatre arts major from Harrison, Ark., as Uncle Toby
• Kailey May, a sophomore musical theatre major from Russellville, Ark., as Frankie/Pompadour 2 and understudy for Credence/Abomination
• Mac Ricks, a freshman musical theatre major from Carlisle, Ark., as Max Pondamingo/Vinnie/Abomination/Pompadour 4
• Erin Bagley, a senior musical theatre major from White Oak, Texas, as Betsy Pondamingo/Lou/Abomination/Pompadour 3
• Amaya Hardin, a freshman musical theatre major from Maumelle, Ark., as the Gardener
• Kinsey Potts, a senior musical theatre major from Wylie, Texas, as Venonna
• Marion Webb, a junior theatre arts and secondary education double major from Austin, Texas, as Venonna’s Pet and understudy for Betsy Pondamingo/Lou/Abomination/Pompadour 3

 

CREW:

• Stage Manager—Sarah Franklin, a junior musical theatre major from Grand Cane, La.
• Assistant Stage Manager—Abby Burlison, a junior musical theatre major from Beebe, Ark.
• Scenery—Brynlee Beams (design), a junior theatre arts major from Cabot, Ark.; Kassidy Bond, a junior from Alexander, Ark.; Hayley Johnson, a junior theatre arts major from Hot Springs, Ark.; and Thomas Lilley, a freshman theatre arts major from Dardanelle, Ark.
• Lights—Mat Snook, a senior theatre arts major from Cedar Hill, Texas (design, board operator)
• Sound—Michael Pasman, a sophomore worship arts and chemistry double major from Arkadelphia, Ark., and Ashlynn Lockhart, a senior musical theatre major from Holiday Island, Ark.
• Costumes—Grace Woodward (design), a sophomore musical theatre major from Plano, Texas, and Kassidy Bond
• Hair and Makeup—Shelby Tripcony (design), a sophomore speech/theatre arts and education double major from Little Rock, Ark.; Sara Kate Cole, a junior musical theatre major from Fort Smith, Ark.; and Liberty Wiggins, a freshman theatre arts major from Plano, Texas
• Choreography—Kenzie Burks (dance captain); Elizabeth Dawson, Ouachita graduate and instructor at Rock City Dance in Little Rock, Ark.; and Sammy Campione (fight choreographer)
• Properties—Bella Blankenship (crew head), a junior Christian studies/Christian ministry major from Melissa, Texas; Thomas Lilley; Tom Huston, a freshman theatre arts and psychology double major from Sanger, Texas; and Brynlee Beams
• Lobby Design—Hayley Johnson
• House Manager—Sarah Franklin
• Publicity—Wyatt Ashlock (crew head), a senior theatre arts and communications & media/visual media & film double major from Royse City, Texas
• Poster Design—Jill Parsons, a junior communications & media and graphic design double major from Celina, Texas
• Program Design—Danielle Hall, box office manager and fine arts administrator
• Guest Services—Reece Gray, a freshman nutrition & dietetics major from Monticello, Ark.; Kinder Hinrichs; Nic Hazlett, a senior engineering physics major from Greenville, Texas; and Zoe McGregor, a junior psychology and biology double major from Mountain Pine, Ark.
• Faculty Advisors—Stephanie Murry, assistant professor of theatre arts; Eric Phillips; and Kelsey Looney, visiting assistant professor of theatre

• Tags:
• Musical Theatre
• School of Fine Arts
• Theatre Arts