Ouachita to present “Oklahoma!” as spring musical April 11-14
April 01, 2019
- Madison CresswellOuachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts will present one of the most performed
shows in America, “Oklahoma!,” beginning Thursday, April 11, at 7:30 p.m. in Jones
Performing Arts Center. Performances will continue April 12-13 at 7:30 p.m., with
a matinee performance on Sunday, April 14, at 2:30 p.m. Tickets may be purchased from
the OBU Box Office for $12 each.
Written by composer Richard Rodgers and librettist Oscar Hammerstein II, “Oklahoma!”
tells the story of Laurey Williams, a farm girl from Oklahoma territory in 1906, and
her courtship from two rival suitors, cowboy Curly McLain and farmhand Jud Fry. Curly
fights to keep Laurey’s love with a story full of mystery, drama and romance.
“It’s a story about hope, love, friendship and togetherness,” said Joe Hernandez,
director of the musical and assistant professor of theatre arts at Ouachita. “The
message is timeless and is really something everyone can relate to. Laurie is a young
girl who just wants to be loved, and Curly is a young man who wants to be respected.
Through this story, you get to watch these two fall in love while relating them to
your own life. We want the audience to grow with the characters throughout the show
and become immersed in the story from the very beginning.”
Rehearsals for the show began in January and will continue until the week of the performances.
There are more than 120 cast and crew members involved in the production.
“This show is one of our largest productions in the School of Fine Arts,” said Dr.
Gary Gerber, dean of the School of Fine Arts and professor of music. “It really brings
all of our folks together for one great big production, including faculty, staff and
students.”
Lauren Terry, a senior musical theatre major from Evansville, Ind., is assistant director
for the production. Dr. Jon Secrest, Addie Mae Maddox Professor of Music, is serving
as music director; Christina Johnson, assistant professor of theatre arts, as costume
designer; Eric Philips, professor of theatre arts, as technical director; and Stacy
Hawking, fine arts administrator and box office manager, as choreographer.
Abi Anderson, a sophomore theatre arts and education double major from Mesquite, Texas,
is serving as stage manager and will be assisted by Dani Thompson, a freshman musical
theatre and education double major from Benton, Ark.
The production is open to the public and tickets are $12 per person. Tickets may be
purchased at the OBU Box Office in Jones Performing Arts Center on weekdays from 1-5
p.m. or online at www.obu.edu/boxoffice. Ouachita students may obtain one free ticket with their student ID. For group rates
or more information, call the box office during business hours at (870) 245-5555 or
email [email protected].
By Madison Cresswell
April 1, 2019
Lead members of the cast include:
- Kenzie Henderson, a senior musical theatre major from Heath, Texas, as Aunt Eller.
- Clay Mobley, a senior music industry major from Wylie, Texas, as Curly.
- Michaela Finley, a senior musical theatre major from Cedarville, Ark., as Laurey.
- Cedar Valdez, a junior musical theatre major from Rogers, Ark., as Will Parker.
- Micah Brooks, a senior musical theatre major from Rockwall, Texas, as Jud Fry.
- Hannah Hill, a senior musical theatre major from Alexander, Ark., as Ado Annie Carnes.
- David Hudson, a junior theatre arts and education double major from Little Rock, Ark., as Ali Hakim.
- Autumn Romines, a junior musical theatre major from Cabot, Ark., as Gertie Cummings.
- Scotty Scott, a senior musical theatre major from Russellville, Ark., as Andrew Carnes.
- Dylan Blackwood, a senior musical theatre major from Walnut Ridge, Ark., as Ike Skidmore.
- Philip Robinson, a senior musical theatre major from Lewisville, Texas, as Fred.
- Zach Myers, a senior musical theatre major from Fort Smith, Ark., as Slim.
- Emily Johnson, a senior musical theatre major from Benton, Ark., as Ellen.
- Bonnie Gentry, a senior musical theatre major from Arlington, Texas, as Kate.
- Tyler Mann, a senior kinesiology & leisure studies/recreation major from Little Rock, Ark., as Joe.
- Emma Lawyer, a sophomore musical theatre major from Wynne, Ark., as Vivian.
- Sammy Campione, a freshman musical theatre major from Waxahachie, Texas, as Tom.
- Lizzy Griffin, a senior musical theatre major from Pittsburg, Texas, as Virginia.
- Cannon Fisher, a sophomore musical theatre and nutrition & dietetics double major from Wynne, Ark., as Cord Elam.
Members of the ensemble include:
- Hannah Adair, a sophomore musical theatre major from Alexander, Ark.
- Hannah Anderson, a junior musical theatre major from Austin, Texas.
- Carlin Campbell, a junior musical theatre major from Rose Hill, Kan.
- Jess Crook, a senior musical theatre major from Maumelle, Ark.
- Elizabeth Dawson, a sophomore musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark.
- Logan Dooley, a sophomore musical theatre major from Allen, Texas.
- Melodie Dubose, a sophomore musical theatre major from Minden, La.
- Danielle Hall, a sophomore musical theatre major from Prairie Grove, Ark.
- Payton Hickman, a freshman musical theatre major from Siloam Springs, Ark.
- Molly Kennedy, a junior music and theatre arts double major from Melissa, Texas.
- Ashlynn Lockhart, a freshman musical theatre major from Holiday Island, Ark.
- Ryan Lynch, a sophomore musical theatre major from Bryant, Ark.
- Madeline Martin, a sophomore musical theatre and mass communications double major from Sheridan, Ark.
- Raleigh Peterson, a junior musical theatre major from Branson, Mo.
- Paige Price, a sophomore musical theatre major from Plano, Texas.
- Elizabeth Ring, a sophomore musical theatre major from Cabot, Ark.
- Hannah Saunders, a senior musical theatre major from St. Paul, Ark.
- Abby Shourd, a senior choral music education major from Conway, Ark.
- Emily Siemens, a senior musical theatre major from Bentonville, Ark.
- Hailey Smith, a sophomore elementary education major from Wichita, Kan.
- Sharayah Wallace, a junior musical theatre major from Bryant, Ark.
- Rachel Webber, a senior musical theatre major from Longview, Texas.
- Olivia Witcher, a senior theatre arts and Spanish double major from Little Rock, Ark.
- Meagan Woodard, a senior theatre arts and communications & media/multimedia journalism double major from Alvarado, Texas.
- Jhonika Wright, a senior musical theatre major from Bowie, Md.
The cast also will feature youth from the Arkadelphia community, including:
- Emmie Carozza as young Laurey.
- Cassie Carozza as middle Laurey.
- Morgan Lewis as young Ado Annie.
- Mallorie Carozza as middle Ado Annie.
- David Garrett as young Curly.
- Carson Carozza as middle Curly.
- Carly Carozza as middle Gertie.
- Carson Lewis as middle Will Parker.
Crew leaders include:
- Mallory Cain, a sophomore musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark., is the followspot.
- Bailey Ellison, a sophomore theatre arts major from Walnut Ridge, Ark., on scenery shift and props.
- Hannah Gothard, a junior musical theatre major from Cleveland, Texas, as house management.
- Amy Jackson, a freshman musical theatre major from Cypress, Texas, is in charge of audio backstage.
- Kailee Morehart, a junior music and theatre arts double major from Alexander, Ark., is sound board operator.
- Kinsey Potts, a freshman musical theatre major from Wylie, Texas, as house management.
- Makenna Schaeffer, a freshman musical theatre major from Fouke, Ark., on scenery shift and props.
Hair and makeup crew include:
- Bawo Asagba, a sophomore musical theatre major from Murphy, Texas, as makeup/hair crew head.
- Briana Penn, a sophomore choral music education major from Benton, Ark.
Costume and makeup crew include:
- Abby Holland, a senior choral music education major from Malvern, Ark.
- Audrey Johnson, a sophomore theatre arts major from Mountainburg, Ark.
- Jaden Rich, a sophomore musical theatre major from Bono, Ark.
- Ashton Spence, a junior theatre arts and communications & media/visual media & film double major from Marion, Ark.
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