Ouachita’s Department of Theatre Arts to present “A Servant to Two Masters”
October 31, 2022
- Sierra HossOuachita Baptist University’s Department of Theatre Arts will present “A Servant to Two Masters” from Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 17-19, and Monday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m. in Verser Theatre. A matinee performance is set for Sunday, Nov. 20 at 2:30 p.m.
Written by Carlo Goldoni in 1746 and adapted by David Turner and Paul Lapworth, “A Servant to Two Masters” is a comedy that tells the story of Truffaldino, a hungry servant who, upon realizing that working for two masters could ensure him a greater supply of food, tries to do the job of two men while working desperately to conceal that fact from both employers.
The production is directed by Ouachita alumna Shelby-Allison Hibbs, executive director of The Studio Theatre in Sherwood, Ark. Hibbs earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in directing from Baylor University and has worked extensively among theatre companies in the Dallas, Texas, area as a performer, playwright, director and producer. Through her work with Echo Theatre in Dallas, she received the 2014 Outstanding New Play award from the Dallas/Fort Worth Theatre Critics Forum and the 2015 Steve Lovett Award for Outstanding New Work by a Local Playwright from “The Column,” a Dallas-based publication honoring excellence in theatre.
“It’s been wonderful to reconnect with my professors and work with current students, who have been so inventive and energetic in every rehearsal,” Hibbs said. “Working on this show has been an absolute joy, and Ouachita should be proud of the current talent in the theatre department.”
“Shelby is awesome to work with because she collaborates with the actors and allows us to make choices and be creative,” said Maddy Moore, a junior musical theatre and theatre arts double major from Mesquite, Texas, who plays Pantalone.
“The Servant of Two Masters” draws on the tradition of commedia dell’arte, a genre developed in Italy the 16th-18th centuries in which masked actors improvise from a plot outline based on themes associated with stock characters and situations. Moore said that being part of the cast is teaching her a lot about performing this early form of professional theatre.
“Everyone in the cast brings their own personalities to the show,” she added, “which creates a loving and fun environment.”
Erin Bagley, a senior musical theatre major from White Oak, Texas, is assistant director of the production. She said her duties are “watching Shelby and how she directs, works with the actors and communicates what she wants. It’s good to have students work under a director to see how it’s done, and it’s a good experience to have someone mentor you in something that could be your job in the future.”
Tickets are $10 for individuals and $8.50 each for groups larger than 10. They are available through the Ouachita Box Office, online at www.obu.edu/boxoffice or in person weekdays from 1-5 p.m. Current Ouachita students may receive one free ticket with their student ID. For more information, contact the Ouachita Box Office at (870)245-5555.
CAST:
Maddy Moore, a junior musical theatre and theatre arts double major from Mesquite, Texas, as Pantalone
Isabella Owen, a senior musical theatre major from Jonesboro, Ark., as Clarice
Julia Letcher, a senior musical theatre major from Plano, Texas, as Dottore
Mac Ricks, a sophomore musical theatre major from Carlisle, Ark., as Silvio
Amaya Hardin, a sophomore musical theatre major from Maumelle, Ark., as Beatrice
Noah Warford, a junior musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark., as Florindo
Annslee Clay, a sophomore musical theatre major from Benton, Ark., as Brighella
Payton Mixon, a senior musical theatre major from New Caney, Texas, as Smeraldina
Kinder Hinrichs, a junior musical theatre major from Harrison, Ark., as Truffaldino
Abby Burlison, a junior musical theatre major from Beebe, Ark., as a Porter
Blythe Hutchison, a freshman musical theatre and Christian studies double major from Franklin, Tenn., as a Waiter
Hayley Johnson, a senior theatre arts major from Hot Springs, Ark., as a Waiter
Shelby Tripcony, a junior speech/theatre arts and education double major from Little Rock, Ark., as a female swing
Jonah Morgan, a freshman theatre arts major from Siloam Springs, Ark., as a male swing
CREW:
Assistant Director – Erin Bagley, a senior musical theatre major from White Oak, Texas
Costume Designer – Kelsey Looney, visiting assistant professor of theatre arts at Ouachita
Lighting Designer – Brynlee Beams, a junior theatre arts major from Cabot, Ark.
Lighting – Thomas Lilley, a sophomore theatre arts major from Dardanelle, Ark.
Scenic Designer – Eric Phillips, chair of Ouachita’s Department of Theatre Arts
Stage Manager – Sarah Franklin, a junior musical theatre major from Grand Cane, La.
House Manager – Abigail Gaddis, a senior communications & media/film major from Cabot, Ark.
Publicity Manager – Sierra Hoss, a junior musical theatre major from Fouke, Ark.
Board Operator – Ray Medina, a senior theatre arts and mass communications double major from Shreveport, La.
Build – Mikenzie Blase, a senior theatre arts and secondary education double major from Texarkana, Texas
Lobby Design – Grace Woodward (crew head), a junior musical theatre major from Plano, Texas; Tom Huston, a sophomore theatre arts and psychology double major from Sanger, Texas; and Autumn Walters, a freshman theatre arts and education double major from Manila, Ark.
Costume – Marion Webb (crew head), a junior theatre arts and secondary education double major from Austin, Texas; Eli Butler, a junior musical theatre major from Greenwood, Ark.; Tamia Haney, a sophomore English major from Lake Village, Ark.; Tyranni Hubbard, a senior theatre arts major from Little Rock, Ark.; and Jonah Morgan
Make-up – Kenzie Burks (crew head), a junior theatre arts and education double major from Beebe, Ark., and Sara Kate Cole, a senior musical theatre major from Fort Smith, Ark.
Shifting and Properties – Thomas Lilley (crew head); Savannah Staggs, a junior speech/theatre arts and education double major from Little Rock, Ark.; and Elexis Lunsford, a sophomore theatre arts major from Mount Vernon, Texas
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