Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University’s Department of Theatre Arts will host its annual One-Act Play Festival on Thursday and Friday, May 4-5. The performances, which are free and open to the public, will be held in Verser Theatre at 7:30 p.m. both nights.

A total of six one acts will be performed throughout the weekend, with three on each night. All of the shows are directed by senior theatre majors enrolled in the play directing class, a capstone course for a theatre degree.

“Directing has definitely been a new experience,” said Kayla Walker, a senior musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark. “It makes me appreciate directors even more because of all of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into it, but also it’s been a lot of fun watching my actors make great and hilarious choices, and I’m excited for the audience to experience it.”

“This is my second time directing a larger performance, and my first time directing a one act,” said Hannah Fender, a senior musical theatre major from Maumelle, Ark., who also conceived and directed the improv show Not a Clue earlier this year at Ouachita. “It is very different from working on an improv show, and I have really enjoyed working on this production with my cast and stage manager, and I can't wait to have them perform.”

The shows being performed Thursday are:

Wanda’s Visit by Christopher Durang will be directed by Hannah Fender. "Marsha and Jim have been married for 13 years, and their relationship has gotten a bit dull,” Fender said. “That is, until Jim's nutty high school ex-girlfriend, Wanda, comes for a visit. Hilarity ensues in this comic one-act.” Performing in the play are Evan Dowers, a freshman choral music education major from North Little Rock, Ark.; Mackenzie Holtzclaw, a junior musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark.; David Hudson, a freshman theatre education major from Little Rock, Ark.; Andrew Martin, a junior theatre major from Hot Springs Village, Ark.; Raleigh Peterson, a freshman musical theatre major from Branson, Mo.; and Lauren Roberts, a freshman theatre education major from Dardanelle, Ark.

A Way with Words by Frank D. Gilroy will be directed by Lauren Hutcheson, a senior musical theatre major from Bossier City, La. A Way with Words is about “a secret revealed after 13 years when Fred, a writer, and Artie, an accountant, get together for lunch,” Hutcheson said. “Artie has a request of his best friend involving his ex-wife Louise. Feeling betrayed and confused, Fred complies, but what results is unbelievable!” Performing in the play are Seth Daniell, a junior music composition major from Arkadelphia, Ark.; Michael Peré, a junior musical theatre major from Roland, Ark.; and Autumn Romines, a freshman musical theatre major from Cabot, Ark.

Erica and Me by Alan Robinson will be directed by Kayla Walker. “Simon just wants the job but his boss won't hire him if he's single,” Walker said. “What will he do to get the job?” Performing in the play are Duel Cunningham, a sophomore computer science and mathematics double major from Cabot, Ark.; Bonnie Gentry, a freshman musical theatre major from Arlington, Texas; Jacob Hemsath, a junior musical theatre major from Wylie, Texas; Emily Johnson, a freshman musical theatre major from Benton, Ark.; Emily Siemens, a freshman musical theatre major Bentonville, Ark.; Sharayah Wallace, a freshman musical theatre major from Bryant, Ark.; and Olivia Witcher, a sophomore theatre and Spanish double major from Little Rock, Ark.

The shows being performed on Friday are:

Down Comes the Rain by Burgess Clark will be directed by Bret Sanders, a senior musical theatre major from Jonesboro, Ark. In the show, “two brothers, one of whom has an intellectual disability, embark on a camping trip where they learn about the importance of family, truth, acceptance and the precious bond of brotherhood,” Sanders said. Performing in the show are Dylan Blackwood, a freshman musical theatre major from Walnut Ridge, Ark., and John McGehee, a Henderson State University finance major from Fort Smith, Ark.

The Zoo Story by Edward Albee will be directed by Tyler Lewis, a senior theatre major from Fayetteville, Ga. “Peter goes to Central Park in order to relax and find peace from his day-to-day life,” Lewis said. “Peter is shortly interrupted by a strange and obnoxious man named Jerry who keeps telling stories. Everything appears to be fine until a dark shift occurs.” Performing in the play are Tyler Mann, a junior kinesiology major from Little Rock, Ark., and Cody Walls, a junior musical theatre major from Fort Smith, Ark.

Bride for a Fall by Robert Scott will be directed by Aaden Jones, a senior musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark. “Bride for a Fall is a one-act farce that centers around the struggles of Victor and his mistress Madelyn as they plot an ‘accident’ for Victors’ dim but very rich wife Lottie,” Jones said. Performing in the play are Michaela Finley, a sophomore musical theatre major from Alma, Ark.; Scotty Scott, a sophomore musical theatre major from Russellville, Ark.; and Rachel Webber, a junior musical theatre major from Longview, Texas.

For more information, contact Dr. Scott Holsclaw at [email protected] or 870-245-5561.

 

By Hannah Hines

April 27, 2017