Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts Department of Theatre Arts will present the play Six Characters in Search of an Author by Luigi Pirandello Oct. 29 through Nov. 2 with show times at 7:30 p.m. every day with the exception of the Sunday, Nov. 1, show, which will be a 2:30 p.m. matinee.

“Six Characters gives audiences a glimpse of a play rehearsal that takes a sudden dip into the surreal with the appearance of six strange figures,” said Daniel Inouye, OBU assistant professor of theatre arts and director of Six Characters. “Alternately amusing and eerie, the play pokes fun at the inherent artificiality of the stage as well as examines the responsibilities of creativity and the nature of reality.”

This Italian classic was chosen because, according to Inouye, it has been updated and modernized so that a contemporary audience can connect with it. Also, since the performances range over the Halloween weekend, Inouye said he felt they needed to find a particularly spooky play.

“The show has a lot of depth to it,” said Jody Lee, a senior musical theatre major from Arlington, Texas, who is involved in the play. “I hope people will come to see the show with an open mind and let the power of theatre affect them. Whether they love it, hate it or just do not understand it, they will have experienced something that they do not often get a chance to.”

All tickets are $6 and may be purchased at the Jones Performing Arts Center Box Office weekdays from 2 to 5 p.m. or by visiting www.obu/finearts online. For more information, call (870) 245-5563 during regular box office business hours.

The cast of Six Characters includes: Moriah Patterson a sophomore musical theatre and secondary education double-major from Sheridan, Ark., as Stage Manager; Rachel Street, a senior musical theatre major from Mahomet, Ill., as Stage Hand; Molly Brown, a junior musical theatre major from Rowlett, Texas, as Assistant Director; and Cortnie DeVore, a junior musical theatre major from Beebe, Ark., as Booth Technician.

The “actors” who are interrupted during the play rehearsal use their own first names for their characters.  These include: Lindsey Forga, a senior musical theatre major from Glenwood, Ark.; Jacob Way, a freshman education and history double-major from Rockwall, Texas; Taylor Bass, a sophomore musical theatre major from Houston, Texas; and Greg Schwartz, a senior theatre and mass communications double-major from Texarkana, Texas.

The characters who interrupt the rehearsal while searching for an author are: Jody Lee, a senior musical theatre major from Arlington, Texas, as Father; Sam Parrish, a senior musical theatre major from Forney, Texas, as Mother; Katie Willhite, a theatre and Christian studies double-major from Rowlett, Texas, as Stepdaughter; Daniel Collier, a senior musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark., as Little Boy; Krysteena Koiner, a senior musical theatre major from Arkadelphia, Ark., as Little Girl; Michael Krikorian, a senior musical theatre major from Rockwall, Texas, as Son; and Jacob Watson, a junior musical theatre major from Wynne, Ark., as Emilio Paz, the pimp.

The production crew for Six Characters in Search of an Author includes: Jeffrey Stokes, a senior theatre major from Gilmer, Texas, as assistant director and stage manager; Ashley Partridge, a junior musical theatre major from Baton Rouge, La., as scenic designer and technical director; Michael Krikorian, who also plays the Son in the production, as lighting designer and co-properties master; Taylor Bass, a sophomore musical theatre major from Houston, Texas, as co-properties master; Jacob Watson, who also plays Emilio Paz in the production, as sound designer; Lynley Vire, a junior musical theatre major from Searcy, Ark., as makeup designer; Cessany Ford, a junior musical theatre major from Paragould, Ark., as assistant stage manager; Sam Spradling, a sophomore theatre major from Italy, Texas, as costumes running crew head; Haley Broadway, a senior musical theatre major from Jonesboro, Ark., as costumes building crew and lighting board operator; Lauren Casteel, a junior musical theatre major from Garland, Texas, as costumes running crew; Rachel Street, who also plays Stage Hand in the production, as costumes running crew; Steven Miller, a junior theatre major from Westminster, S. C., and Rudy Jones, a sophomore theatre major from Smackover, Ark., as lighting and properties running crew members; Doug Brady, a junior musical theatre major from Saginaw, Texas, as sound board operator; Heather Baker, a senior musical theatre major from Cleburne, Texas, as the publicity crew head and production box office manager; Cortnee Stewart, a junior theatre major from Cabot, Ark., as the house manager; Moriah Patterson, who also plays Stage Manager in the show, and Cortnie DeVore, who also plays Booth Technician in the production, as publicity crew members; and Jody Lee, who also plays Father in the production, as shop foreman and construction technical director.

Costumes are designed by Mary Handiboe, OBU associate professor of theatre arts.

By Rebecca Stone