Ouachita Stories

Ouachita Baptist University’s Division of Music and Department of Theatre Arts will present Michael Ching’s opera Speed Dating Tonight! Nov. 16-19. The shows will run Thursday, Nov. 16, through Saturday, Nov. 18, at 7:30 p.m. with a matinee performance on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 2:30 p.m. in Jones Performing Arts Center.

This contemporary comic opera explores how one finds love in the modern world. The story follows a group of strangers who gather at a small coffee house for a speed dating event. The audience will meet all sorts of quirky characters including an origami artist, a budding country singer, a cat lover and a woman who is certain she has been abducted by aliens.

“Some matches are doomed for hilarious failure, but some have a spark of romance,” said John Alec Briggs, Ouachita lecturer of music and co-director of the opera. “The audience will have a front row seat as all these stories unfold.”

Briggs and Arnold Rawls, the other opera co-director, worked closely with the composer, Ching, to craft a show unique to Ouachita. Rawls serves as associate professor of music and artist in residence at Ouachita.

“The opera storyline includes a series of 90-second ‘dates’ that can be put in whatever order desired,” Briggs said. “Because of this structure, all 38 performers have their moment in the spotlight.”

This production integrates familiar forms of music into a dramatic presentation, allowing the audience to enjoy a wide range of styles including music theatre, jazz and country. This show is an opportunity to explore the changing face of opera beyond its traditional interpretation.

“This opera is a bundle of individuals and their stories. You can experience a hint of what every character is thinking in the process,” said Jacob Hemsath, a senior musical theatre major from Wylie, Texas, and student assistant director/stage manager for Speed Dating Tonight! “The audience can expect a lot of laughs, some touching moments and just all-around fun.”

Katie Kumpuris, a sophomore worship arts major from Little Rock, Ark., serves as assistant state manager/crew manager.

Tickets for Speed Dating Tonight! are $12 each and can be purchased online at www.obu.edu/boxoffice or at the Ouachita Box Office weekdays from 1-5 p.m. Students may receive one free ticket upon presentation of their student ID. For more information, call the box office at (870) 245-5555 during business hours.

 

By Sarah Davis

November 1, 2017



Cast:

• Esther Atkinson, a senior musical theatre major from Rogers, Ark.


• Joy Biebighauser, a junior worship arts major from Grapevine, Texas


• Dylan Blackwood, a sophomore musical theatre major from Walnut Ridge, Ark.


• Micah Brooks, a junior musical theatre major from Rockwall, Texas


• Jessie Brunson, a junior vocal performance major from Rockwall, Texas


• Matthew Burns, a junior musical theatre major from Benton, Ark.


• Dean Carmona, a freshman vocal performance major from North Little Rock, Ark.


• Anna Crane, a sophomore musical theatre major from Pearcy, Ark.


• Logan Dooley, a freshman musical theatre major from Allen, Texas


• Evan Dowers, a sophomore music education major from North Little Rock, Ark.


• Ansley Elliott, a sophomore vocal performance major from Tecumseh, Okla.


• Aryana Gardner, a freshman vocal performance major from Conway, Ark.


• Bonnie Gentry, a sophomore musical theatre major from Arlington, Texas


• Lizzy Griffin, a senior musical theatre major from Pittsburg, Texas


• Danielle Hall, a freshman vocal performance major from Arkadelphia, Ark.


• Jacob Hemsath, a senior musical theatre major from Wylie, Texas.


• Hannah Hill, a sophomore musical theatre major from Alexander, Ark.


• Emily Johnson, a junior musical theatre major from Benton, Ark.


• Destiny Kirkham, a freshman music major from Manila, Ark.


• Amy Lytle, a senior music major from Plano, Texas


• Clay Mobley, a sophomore music industry major from Wylie, Texas


• Zachary Myers, a junior musical theatre major from Greenwood, Ark.


• Michael Pere, a senior musical theatre major from Roland, Ark.


• Lexi Reimer, a freshman music education major from Wylie, Texas


• Autumn Romines, a sophomore musical theatre major from Cabot, Ark.


• Kristi Roshto, a freshman musical theatre major from Alexandria, La.


• Hannah Saunders, a junior musical theatre major from Saint Paul, Ark.


• Elizabeth Schutter, a senior music education major from Garland, Texas


• Scotty Scott, a junior musical theatre major from Russellville, Ark.


• Emily Siemens, a sophomore musical theatre major from Bentonville, Ark.


• Lauren Terry, a junior musical theatre major from Evansville, Ind.


• Anna Joie Valdez, a senior musical theatre major from Terrell, Texas


• Cedar Valdez, a sophomore musical theatre major from Garfield, Ark.


• Libby Villegas, a junior music industry major from Wylie, Texas


• Sharayah Wallace, a sophomore musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark.


• Cody Walls, a senior musical theatre major from Van Buren, Ark.


• Kaitlyn Watson, a senior music major from Arkadelphia, Ark.


• Rachel Webber, a junior musical theatre major from Longview, Texas