Ouachita Stories

The Department of Theatre Arts in Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts will present the children’s play “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” at 7 p.m. Sept. 25-27 and Sept. 29-30 and at 2:30 p.m. Sept. 28. Tickets are $6 each and may be purchased through the Jones Performing Arts Center box office by calling 870-245-5563 or online at www.obu.edu/finearts. The performances will be presented in Verser Theatre on Ouachita’s campus.

“The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” originally written by C.S. Lewis in 1950 as the first in “The Chronicles of Narnia” series, was adapted to the stage by Joseph Robinette in 1979. The story follows the struggles of the four Pevensie children, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, who stumble through a wardrobe into the magical land of Narnia. The children are caught up in a battle of good versus evil as the White Witch tries to secure her hold of Narnia from the great lion Aslan. Lewis’ tales have also been adapted for radio, television and film, and borrow themes from the Christian tradition as well as from Greek, Roman and British mythologies.

The production is directed by Amy York, a senior musical theatre major from Dallas, Texas. “We love giving senior students the opportunity to explore work beyond the classroom,” said Mary Handiboe, assistant professor of theatre arts. “Amy is a talented young lady with a gracious heart and a desire to minister through her art.  She is a student who has proven to be disciplined, dedicated and visionary.”

York said that she chose to present “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” because it has been one of her long-time favorite stories. “I grew up reading ‘The Chronicles of Narnia,’” she said. “I have had a lifetime fascination with these incredible allegorical tales.”

York also noted that she had “a higher purpose” in mind when she chose the play. “I wanted to use the art of theatre to portray the greatest message ever told—the salvation story. … I hope that the audience is reminded of Christ’s unfathomable love and grace and that they will remember how mighty is the One we serve!”

Starring in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” are: Chris Straw as Aslan, a senior musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark.; Cori Kidder as the White Witch, a senior musical theatre major from Wynne, Ark.; Michael Krikorian as Peter, a junior musical theatre major from Rockwall, Texas; Leah Nixon as Susan, a senior theatre and Spanish double-major from Celeste, Texas; Xavier Lagunas as Edmund, a freshman music education major from Arlington, Texas; and Lauren Casteel as Lucy, a sophomore musical theatre major from Garland, Texas.

Other members of the cast include: Jacob Watson as Mr. Beaver, a sophomore musical theatre major from Wynne, Ark.; Molly Brown as Mrs. Beaver, a sophomore musical theatre major from Rowlett, Texas; Marcie Bealer as Centaur, a senior theatre and English double-major from Dubai, UAE; Valerie Martinka as Unicorn, a senior theatre and Spanish double-major from Dallas, Texas; Bryan Brooks as Mr. Tumnus, a freshman musical theatre major from Rockwall, Texas; Jeff Garner as Fenrus Ulf, a senior Christian studies major from Plano, Texas; Doug Brady as Dwarf, a sophomore musical theatre major from Saginaw, Texas; Jeffery Stokes as Father Christmas, a senior theatre and speech communications double-major from Gilmer, Texas; Andrew Pyle as Professor, a senior speech communications and Russian double-major from Mountain Home, Ark.; Rachel Garrett Bland as Elf, a senior theatre major from Mesquite, Texas; and Lindsey Wright Forga as White Stag, a senior musical theatre and mass communications double-major from Glenwood, Ark.

Cast members portraying wood nymphs are: Melody Taylor, a senior musical theatre major from Harriman, Tenn.; Krystenna Koiner, a junior musical theatre major from Azle, Texas; Lynley Vire, a sophomore musical theatre major from Searcy, Ark.; and Beth Kohl, a freshman Christian missions major from Harrisburg, Mo.

Those playing the roles or Narnians are: Daniel Collier, a junior musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark.; Katie Edenfield, a sophomore vocal performance major from Houston, Texas; Samantha Spradling, a freshman theatre major from Italy, Texas; Kendall Calvert, a freshman theatre major from Mansfield, Texas; Taylor Bass, a freshman musical theatre major from Houston,Texas; Teresa Hargrove, a freshman musical theatre major from Mansfield, Texas; Steven Miller, a sophomore musical theatre major from Arlington, Texas; Adam Wheat, a junior mass communications major from Ruston, La.; Hannah Chapman, a junior vocal performance major from Forney, Texas; and C.E. Fifer, sophomore musical theatre and piano performance double-major from Olney, Ill.

Amelia Buckmaster, a junior English major from White Hall, Ark., is the show’s stage manager, and Kathryn Kellogg, a freshman musical theatre major from Sherwood, Ark., is assistant stage manager.

Members of the properties crew include: Ashley Partridge, a sophomore musical theatre major from Baton Rouge, La.; Katie Willhite, a sophomore Christian missions major from Rowlett, Texas; Greg Schwartz, a junior theatre major from Texarkana, Texas; Ana Ganong, a freshman choral music education major from Jonesboro, Ark.; and Cessany Ford, a sophomore musical theatre major from Paragould, Ark.

Members of the costume crew include: Lauren Godfrey, a senior musical theatre major from Rockwall, Texas; Malika Bhyer, a freshman undeclared major from Morocco; Victoria Adama, a junior biology major from Delight, Ark.; and Jessica Flint, a freshman theatre major from Texarkana, Texas.

Members of the light crew include: Daniel Collier, a junior musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark.; Manna Yamasaki, a freshman mass communications major from Japan; and Rudy Jones, a freshman chemistry major from Smackover, Ark.

Jody Lee, a senior musical theatre major from Arlington, Texas, and Haley Broadaway, a junior musical theatre major from Jonesboro, Ark. are the sound crew.

Members of the makeup crew include: Heather Baker, a senior musical theatre major from Cleburne, Texas; Moriah Patterson, a freshman musical theatre major from Sheridan, Ark.; Amanda Like, a freshman English major from Sachse, Texas; and Preston Pickett, a freshman vocal performance major from Dallas, Texas.

Members of the publicity team are: Cortnie DeVore, a sophomore musical theatre major from Beebe, Ark.; Stephanie Batsel, a freshman music major from Mansfield, Texas; Brooke Ault, a freshman musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark.; Ashley Wieronski, a freshman musical theatre major from Southaven, Miss.; and Kyle Huey, a junior musical theatre major from Grapevine, Texas.

Mary Handiboe is serving as the front of house supervisor and directing mentor. Eric Phillips, professor of theatre arts, is technical director and scenic design supervisor.  Daniel Inouye, assistant professor of theatre arts, is costume and makeup supervisor.

by Brooke Showalter