Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University’s Department of Theatre Arts will present “Under Milk Wood,” an adapted radio show by Dylan Thomas, as their second production of the 2011-2012 season. The show will be held at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 27-29 and Oct. 31, and a 2:30 p.m. matinee will be performed Sunday, Oct. 30. All shows will be in Verser Theatre on Ouachita’s campus, and tickets are $8 each.

Directed by Daniel Inouye, OBU assistant professor of theater arts, “Under Milk Wood” is based on a poetic “play for voices” that has been adapted for stage production.

“It’s a great opportunity for the actors to work on a new style of performance,” Inouye said, “one that is lyrical, poetic and truly spellbinding.”

The play, set in the fictional Welsh fishing town of Llareggub, examines the dreams, despairs and innermost thoughts of the town’s eccentric inhabitants.

An ensemble of nine actors play all of the more than 50 characters portrayed in the production. The cast includes: Sarah Lynnette Davis, a sophomore Christian studies and theatre major from Bedford, Texas; Timothy Drennan, a sophomore musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark.; Kathryn Kellogg, a junior musical theatre and mass communications major from Sherwood, Ark.; Joe Ochterbeck, a sophomore theatre education major from Maumelle, Ark.; Moriah Patterson, a senior musical theatre and theatre education major from Sheridan, Ark.; Samantha Spradling, a senior theatre arts major from Italy, Texas; Jacob Keith Watson, a senior musical theatre major from Wynne, Ark.; Garrett Whitehead, a sophomore musical theatre major from Cleburne, Texas; and Betsy Wilson, a junior musical theatre major from Fairmont, Neb.

Mary Handiboe, associate professor of theatre arts, serves as costume designer for the show. Eric Phillips, professor of theatre arts, serves as scenic designer and technical director. Lauren Linton, a sophomore musical theatre major from Millington, Tenn., serves as stage manager, and Loren McDaniel, a freshman musical theatre major from Van Buren, Ark., serves as assistant stage manager.

Other members of the crew include: Brooke Ault, a senior musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark., as publicity co-crew head; Gabriela Baltzley, a sophomore musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark., as costume co-crew head; C.J. Bernard, a sophomore theatre arts and mass communications major from Sherwood, Ark., as properties co-crew head; Jeremy Elliot, a freshman theatre arts major from Longview, Texas, as sound board operator; Kayla Esmond, a sophomore musical theatre major from Burleson, Texas, as dramaturge; Kelsey Gourd, a freshman theatre arts major from Centerton, Ark., on costume crew; Bekah Hall, a sophomore theatre arts and mass communications double major from Jonesboro, Ark., as makeup crew head; Tyler Herron, a sophomore theatre arts major from Rosston, Ark., on lighting crew and poster design; Alison Johnson, a junior musical theatre major from Shreveport, La., as light board operator; Grace Johnson, a senior vocal performance major from Tyler, Texas, on costume crew; Lacey Johnson, a sophomore history and theatre arts major from Rancho Mirage, Calif., as costume co-crew head; Rudy Jones, a senior theatre arts and mass communications major from Smackover, Ark., as master electrician and lighting crew; Jillian Kaniss, a sophomore theatre arts and psychology major from Texarkana, Texas, as properties co-crew head; Michelle Lackey, a junior musical theatre major from Decatur, Texas, an properties crew; Shay Michael, a senior musical theatre major from Grapevine, Texas, as publicity co-crew head; Jordan Miller, a sophomore musical theatre major from Rockwall, Texas, on properties crew; Cody Myers, a sophomore musical theatre and psychology major from Van Buren, Ark., as house manager; and Heather White, a junior musical theatre major from Houston, Texas, as front of house and box office crew.

Tickets are $8 each and may be purchased by visiting or calling the Jones Performing Arts Center Box Office weekdays from 1-5 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased online at www.obu.edu/boxoffice. Students with an OBU ID may receive one free ticket for the show. For more information, call the box office at (870) 245-5563 during business hours.

By Breanne Goodrum and Shay Michael