Ouachita Stories

The Theatre Arts Department of Ouachita Baptist University will present Eurydice March 1-5 in Verser Theater on Ouachita’s campus. The March 1-3 and March 5 performances will be held at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday matinee on March 4 will be at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 each and may be purchased at the OBU Box Office or at www.obu.edu/boxoffice.

“In Eurydice, Sarah Ruhl reimagines the classic myth of Orpheus through the eyes of its heroine,” according to play publisher Samuel French, Inc. “Dying too young on her wedding day, Eurydice must journey to the underworld, where she reunites with her father and struggles to remember her lost love. With contemporary characters, ingenious plot twists and breath-taking visual effects, the play is a fresh look at a timeless love story.”

“It's a relatable and familiar Greek myth with wonderful spectacle,” said show director Kathryn Kellogg, a senior musical theatre and mass communications major from Sherwood, Ark. “I have included a chorus that's not written in the show because I wanted to pull that aspect from traditional Greek drama.”

Kellogg was chosen to direct the play as the culmination of her years of study in theatre and in preparation for the possibility of pursuing a master’s degree in directing. Kellogg has been working on the project more than two years, an opportunity few students receive.

“It's very rewarding to watch a student grow into a dynamic leader,” said Mary Handiboe, OBU associate professor of theatre arts. “Also, I love to be able to step back and watch the creative process unfold in a fresh new way due to the perspective of a young director.”

“I’m really honored to have this opportunity,” Kellogg said. “This is an honor that is examined from every aspect of your college career. I’m incredibly honored to be doing this, and I want to put out a product that Ouachita and myself are both proud of presenting to an audience.”

Jordan Miller, a sophomore musical theatre major from Rockwall, Texas, is performing the role of Eurydice and Cody Myers, a sophomore musical theatre and psychology major from Van Buren, Ark., is playing Orpheus.

“I have loved getting to work with the entire company,” Miller said. “This is my first production to really be in at OBU, and I could not have asked for a better experience. It has been fun to put the things I have learned in acting classes into practice for this show.”

“I've most enjoyed the process of diving into my character throughout this play,” Myers said. “Orpheus requires a wide range of emotions from calmness to extreme passion. This play allows me to practice theatrical techniques and systems for playing wide characters.”

Kellogg is working with Garrett Whitehead, a sophomore musical theatre major from Cleburne, Texas, as stage manager and Cami Willis, a freshman musical theatre major from Flower Mound, Texas, as assistant stage manager.

In addition to Miller and Myers, members of the cast include: C.J. Bernard, a sophomore theatre arts and education major from Sherwood, Ark.; Sarah Davis, a sophomore theatre arts and Christian studies/biblical studies major from Bedford, Texas; Timothy Drennan, a sophomore musical theatre major from Paron, Ark.; Kayla Esmond, a sophomore musical theatre major from Burleson, Texas; Tyler Herron, a sophomore theatre arts major from Rosston, Ark.; Shannon Huntsman, a freshman theatre arts and speech communication major from Little Rock, Ark.; Nicole Mattson, a sophomore musical theatre major from Rowlett, Texas; Amanda Murray, a junior musical theatre major from Racine, Wis.; Joe Ochterbeck, a sophomore theatre arts and education major from Maumelle, Ark.; Alexis Pace, a junior musical theatre major from Sugar Land, Texas; Ben Stidham, a freshman musical theatre major from Dallas, Texas; Blaine Surber, a freshman musical theatre major from Sulphur Springs, Texas; Heather White, a junior musical theatre major from Houston, Texas; and Betsy Wilson, a junior musical theatre major from Fairmont, Neb.

Lacey Johnson, a sophomore theatre arts and history major from Rancho Mirage, Calif., serves as head of the costume crew, which includes Brooke Brackett, a sophomore musical theatre major from Springdale, Ark.; Truett Dishman, a freshman musical theatre major from Devine, Texas; Michelle Lackey, a junior musical theatre major from Decatur, Texas; and Shay Michael, a junior musical theatre major from Grapevine, Texas. Amanda Murray serves as costume designer in addition to her role in the cast.

Sarah Davis is another member of the cast serving double duty as makeup crew head. Other members of the makeup crew include: Brooke Ault, a senior musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark., and MaryLacey Thomson, a sophomore musical theatre major from Plano, Texas.

Jacob Sturgeon, a sophomore musical theatre and education major from Pine Bluff, Ark., serves as sound designer, and Tyler Herron serves as lighting designer in addition to his role in the cast. Lauren Linton, a sophomore musical theatre major from Millington, Tenn., serves as soundboard operator, and Alison Johnson, a junior musical theatre major from Shreveport, La., serves as lightboard operator.

Ben Perry, a sophomore musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark., serves as properties crew head. Members of the properties and scenery construction crew include: Kelsey Gourd, a freshman theatre arts major from Centerton, Ark.; Gemma Guiomard, a sophomore musical theatre and studio art major from DeSoto, Texas; Lola McClendon, a senior musical theatre and Spanish major from Springdale, Ark.; Robby Taylor, a freshman musical theatre major from Harriman, Tenn.; Jalin Wesley, a freshman musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark.; and Tyler Wisdom, a freshman musical theatre and speech communication and theatre arts major from Russellville, Ark. Amanda Murray, Joe Ochterbeck and Garrett Whitehead will also serve on the crew.

Lindsey Lederer, a sophomore musical theatre major from Carrollton, Texas, serves as house manager, and Moriah Patterson, a senior musical theatre and secondary education major from Sheridan, Ark., serves as lobby designer. Other members of the front of the house crew include: Gabriela Baltzley, a sophomore musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark., and Bethany Gere, a freshman musical theatre major from White Hall, Ark.

In addition to Kellogg, Mariah Miller, a freshman musical theatre major from Conway, Ark., serves on publicity crew. Marshall Pope, a senior graphic design major from Texarkana, Texas, served as graphic designer.

All tickets are $8 each and may be purchased at www.obu.edu/boxoffice or by contacting the Jones Performing Arts Center Box Office weekdays from 1-5 p.m. Ouachita students receive one free ticket with their student IDs. For more information, call the box office at (870) 245-5563 during box office business hours.

By Lacey Brooks