Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University’s Department of Theatre Arts will host its annual student-directed One Act Plays on Thursday, Dec. 8, and Friday, Dec. 9, at 7:30 p.m. in Verser Theatre. All performances are free and open to the public.

The plays are a part of a directing class in which each student directs a one-act play in order to fulfill the requirements for their theatre degrees.

“The course is set up as a capstone. Students come in and choose their script then develop their ideas before the final production. They are responsible for every aspect from casting, rehearsals and all of the design elements,” said Daniel Inouye, Ouachita assistant professor of theatre arts who is teaching the directing class. “We are blessed because we have the ability to offer this class to provide students an opportunity to actually direct a production.”

“It’s finally my time to direct a one act,” said Lauren Casteel, a senior musical theatre major from Garland, Texas. Casteel will direct Night of the Livid Dad. “After being here for almost five years, I’ve acted in plenty before but I never have been able to realize how much work goes in to all of the designing and technicalities required to put on a production, even a short one like this.”

“Many see the directing process as just calling the shots but it’s not so simple,” added Inouye. “In my class I have the students create a thorough analysis of what they are working with. We use an analysis where every character, thought, action and line is broken down. It takes a considerable amount of time but the results produce a better, more thought out play.”

“As far as performing goes, acting is definitely my favorite aspect, but I was surprised to find out how much I loved directing a 10-minute play last year, so I’m very much looking forward to putting together my own show when I take the class next year,” said Heather White, a junior musical theatre major from Houston, Texas. White will be acting in Unprogrammed.

This year six one-acts will be performed in the following order. The same schedule will repeat on Thursday and Friday nights.

Rudy Jones, a senior theatre and mass communications major from Smackover, Ark., will direct The Long Goodbye by Tennessee Williams. Stage manager for the show is Tristan Wooster, a junior church media and production arts major from Mansfield, Texas. Performing in the show are C.J. Bernard, a sophomore theatre arts and mass communications major from Sherwood, Ark.; Jeremy Elliot, a freshman mass communication major from Longview, Texas; Kayla Esmond, a sophomore musical theatre major from Burleson, Texas; DeCarl Jones, a sophomore vocal performance major from Rowlett, Texas; Sarah Jones, a freshman musical theatre major from Roland, Ark.; Jacob Sturgeon, a sophomore musical theatre major from Pine Bluff, Ark.; and Garrett Whitehead, a sophomore musical theatre major from Cleburne, Texas. This drama revolves around a son desperately trying to take care of his household, friendship and sister while his mother struggles with the battle of cancer.

Kathryn Kellogg, a senior musical theatre and mass communications major from Sherwood, Ark., will direct Unprogrammed by Carol Mack. Stage manager for the show is Connor Goad, a sophomore musical theatre major from Hot Springs, Ark. Performing in the show are Timothy Drennan, a sophomore musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark.; Xavier Lagunas, a senior musical theatre major from Arlington, Texas; and Heather White, a junior musical theatre major from Houston, Texas. This show follows a computer programmer who loses his mind in seeking perfection in the relationships that surround him.

Jacob Watson, a senior musical theatre major from Wynne, Ark., will direct Waiting by Ethan Coen. Stage manager for the show is Blaine Surber, a freshman musical theatre major from Sulphur Springs, Texas. Performing in the show are Gabi Baltzley, a sophomore musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark.; Gemma Guiomard, a sophomore musical theatre major from DeSoto, Texas; Jordan Miller, a sophomore musical theatre major from Rockwall, Texas; Ben Perry, a sophomore musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark.; and Jalin C. Wesley, a freshman musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark.

Brooke Ault, a senior musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark., will direct Scuba Lessons by Joseph Zeccola. Stage manager for the show is Kelsey Gourd, a freshman theatre major from Centerton, Ark. Performing in the show are Tyler Herron, a junior theatre and technical theatre major from Rosston, Ark.; Jillian Kaniss, a sophomore psychology and theatre arts major from Texarkana, Texas; Cody Myers, a sophomore musical theatre and psychology major from Van Buren, Ark.; Joe Ochterbeck, a sophomore theatre major from Maumelle, Ark.; and Samantha Spradling, a junior theatre arts major from Italy, Texas. This comedy involves two friends from work supporting each other as they both go out on blind dates, all while hiding their passion for one another. 

Lauren Casteel, a senior musical theatre major from Garland, Texas, will direct Night of the Livid Dad by Marc Holland and Michael Davis. Stage manager for the show is Breanne Goodrum, a junior mass communications and sociology major from Fort Smith, Ark. Performing in the show are Kelley Lester, a junior speech and theatre arts major from Bismarck, Ark.; Nicole Mattson, a sophomore musical theatre major from Rowlett, Texas.; Joel Rogier, a junior vocal performance major from Glen Carbon, Ill.; MaryLacy Thomson, a sophomore musical theatre major from Plano, Texas; and Tyler Wisdom, a freshman musical theatre major from Russellville, Ark. This comedy follows George and his wife, Dorothy, as they prepare to let their daughter Patty out on her first date, all while keeping George sane from his own terrible thoughts.

Moriah Patterson, a senior musical theatre major from Sheridan, Ark., will direct Wanda’s Visit by Christopher Durang. Stage manager for the show is Caitlin Secrest, a junior vocal performance major from Arkadelphia, Ark. Performing in the show are Bethany Swiontek, a junior musical theatre major from Colorado Springs, Colo.; Jacob Way, a junior history major from Rockwall, Texas; and Betsy Wilson, a junior musical theatre major from Fairmont, Neb. This comedy focuses on a husband and wife, Jim and Marsha, going through a rough patch in their marriage, quickly invaded by Jim’s former girlfriend.

Additional crew members include: Bekah Hall, a sophomore theatre arts and mass communications major from Port Elizabeth, South Africa, and Allison Johnson, a junior musical theatre major from Shreveport, La., on lights and sound; Rachel Cook, a sophomore mass communications major from Perryville, Mo., with Michelle Lackey, a junior musical theatre major from Decatur, Texas, and Shay Michael, a senior musical theatre major from Grapevine, Texas, on stage set-up; and Lacey Johnson, a sophomore history and theatre major from Rancho Mirage, Calif., as head of house and costuming.

For more information, contact Daniel Inouye at [email protected] or (870) 245-5522.

By Breanne Goodrum