Ouachita’s Muse Project to bring unique theatrical forms to Verser stage

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February 13, 2019 - Mercedes Mata

Ouachita Baptist University’s Department of Theatre Arts will present two student-led productions for the department’s annual Muse Project, including “The Things That Bind Us” and “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind: 30 Plays in 60 Minutes.” Performances will be held in Ouachita’s Verser Theatre Feb. 14-16 and 18 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee performance on Sunday, Feb. 17, at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 each and can be purchased through Ouachita’s Box Office.

The Muse Project allows students majoring in theatre, musical theatre or theatre education to think deeply and bring their inspiration to life in an original performance. Students submit theatrical experiences or shows they would like to produce, and while usually one proposal is accepted each year, this year’s Muse Project will include two shows.

“The growth in the students who lead these experiences is always impressive, and the nature of the Muse Project creates exciting possibilities in our season each year…such as aerial work, improvisation, dance theatre, originals works and short small plays with fewer characters that focus on more actor development,” said Eric Phillips, professor of theatre arts at Ouachita. “The Muse Project has become a rich contributor to our theatrical season.”

“The Muse Project is an opportunity for students to stretch themselves and for the university to showcase student work as part of the mainstage season,” said Amy Lytle, the senior music and theatre arts double major from Plano, Texas, who is directing “The Things That Bind Us.”

“The Things That Bind Us” follows a group of friends who attempt to make amends after the loss of one of their own. Assistant student director Lauren Terry, a senior musical theatre major from Evansville, Ind., said she hopes the show “will challenge others to connect and care more about the stories, lives and experiences of everyday people.”

“Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind” is an energetic, neo-futuristic piece where audience members will see 30 shows in 60 minutes. Neo-futuristic theatre depends on crowd involvement and actor improvisation, meaning the shows performed will vary night to night, and each audience will have a different experience.

“I have the honor of being the first director to utilize the Muse slot , in terms of I am not creating the work itself. I am taking the work and creating it for this environment,” said Scotty Scott, senior musical theatre major from Russellville, Ark., and student director of “Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind.”

Tickets are $8 each and may be purchased at the Jones Performing Arts Center Box Office weekdays from 1-5 p.m. or by calling (870) 245-5555. Tickets also may be purchased online at www.obu.edu/boxoffice. Current students may receive one free ticket from the box office with their student ID.

For more information about Ouachita’s Department of Theatre Arts or the Muse Project, contact Eric Phillips, chair of Ouachita’s Department of Theatre Arts at phillipse@obu.edu or (870) 245-5562.

“The Things That Bind Us”

Playwright and director—Amy Lytle, a senior music and theatre arts double major from Plano, Texas

Choreographer and assistant director—Lauren Terry, a senior musical theatre major from Evansville, Ind.

Stage manager—Ashton Spence, a junior theatre arts and communications & media/visual media & film studies double major from Malvern, Ark.

Cast

Alexis—Danielle Thompson, a freshman musical theatre and education double major from Benton, Ark.

Justin—David Hudson, a junior theatre arts and education double major from Little Rock, Ark.

Nora—Elizabeth Dawson, a sophomore musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark.

Meg—Emma Lawyer, a sophomore musical theatre major from Wynne, Ark.

Dan—Matt Evans, a sophomore graphic design and mass communications double major from Little Rock, Ark.

Heather—Meagan Woodard, a senior communications & media/multimedia journalism and theatre arts double major from Alvarado, Texas

Elizabeth—Olivia Witcher, a senior theatre arts and Spanish double major from Little Rock, Ark.

Tyler—Ryan Lynch, a sophomore musical theatre major from Bryant, Ark.

“Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind: 30 Plays in 60 Minutes”

Playwright and director—Scotty Scott, a senior musical theatre major from Russellville, Ark.

Stage manager—Jess Crook, a senior musical theatre major from Maumelle, Ark.

Cast

Sammy Campione, a freshman musical theatre major from Waxahachie, Texas

Cedar Valdez, a junior musical theatre major from Garfield, Ark.

Raleigh Peterson, a junior musical theatre major from Branson, Mo.

Autumn Romines, a junior musical theatre major from Cabot, Ark.

Abi Anderson, a sophomore theatre arts and education double major from Mesquite, Texas

Molly Kennedy, a junior music and theatre arts double major from Melissa, Texas

Luke Wagner, a junior elementary education major from Alexander, Ark.

Jordan Ford, a sophomore elementary education major from Benton, Ark.

Micah Brooks, a senior musical theatre arts major from Rockwall, Texas

Crew

Costume designer/crew head—Hannah Anderson, a junior musical theatre major from Austin, Texas

Makeup designer/crew head—Brooklyn Jennings, a sophomore theatre arts and education double major from Greenville, Texas

Lighting designer/board operator—Samuel Elmore, a sophomore theatre arts major from Pine Bluff, Ark.

Lobby designer/crew head—Bradley Moseley, a sophomore theatre arts major from Fate, Texas

Sound board operator—Kailee Morehart, a junior music and theatre arts major from Alexander, Ark.

Props crew head—Nathan Frick, a sophomore theatre arts and music double major from West Monroe, La.

Props crew head—Audrey Johnson, a sophomore theatre arts major from Mountainburg, Ark.

Poster design—Grace Talley, a junior graphic design major from Nashville, Ark.

Project advisor—Stephanie Murry, assistant professor of theatre arts

By Mercedes Mata

February 13, 2019