Ouachita Stories

ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – The Department of Theatre Arts in Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts will present its spring musical, “Mary Poppins,” from Thursday-Sunday, April 20-23 in Jones Performing Arts Center. Performances will begin Thursday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m., with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Tickets may be purchased at obu.edu/boxoffice.

Based on the book series “Mary Poppins” by P.L. Travers, the story follows the Banks family as they employ a new nanny, Mary Poppins, who magically shows up at their door and changes the environment of their household.

Dr. Dawn Schluetz, visiting associate professor of theatre arts and director of Mary Poppins, describes this show as a “redemption story.”

“Mary Poppins comes as a redeemer, who teaches each member of the family what it means to serve and love each other,” said Schluetz. “Working on the production has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding, especially working with my colleagues here at Ouachita and the young theatre professionals who are giving their all to serve the university and surrounding community with their art.”

Students involved have been putting in the work for “Mary Poppins” since February.

“Some of the messages from this show are believe in the impossible and to look for the good in anything,” explains Erin Bagley, a senior musical theatre major from White Oak, Texas, who plays the lead, Mary Poppins. “I hope this impacts the audience by giving them hope and causing them to look for good in their everyday life.”

“Preparing for this audition has been a lot of work, from staging the production to figuring out who Bert is. I want him to be as authentic as possible,” said Mac Ricks, a sophomore musical theatre major from Carlisle, Ark., who is playing the role of the chimney sweep. “My favorite part of this production has been working with our choreographer Moriah Patterson. Her choreography really fits the show and the style.”

Dr. Ian Aipperspach, lecturer/accompanist in division of music, serves as the music director. Moriah Patterson, Ouachita alumna, serves as the choreographer. Kelsey Looney, visiting assistant professor of theatre arts, serves as costume and makeup designer. Eric Phillips, professor; department of theatre arts chair, serves as scenic and lighting designer. Brynlee Beams junior theatre arts major from Cabot, Ark., serves as lighting design assistant.

Autumn Walters, a freshman theatre arts and education double major from Manila, Ark., serves as assistant stage manager.

Tickets are $12.00 and can be purchased at obu.edu/boxoffice or weekdays from 1-5 p.m. at the Ouachita Box Office in Jones Performing Arts Center. Ouachita students may receive one free ticket with their university ID, and Henderson State University students may purchase discounted tickets at $10.00 each by presenting their HSU IDs. For more information, contact the box office at (870) 245-5555. 

Cast:

• Mac Ricks, a sophomore musical theatre major from Carlisle, Ark., as Bert
• Erin Bagley, a senior musical theatre major from White Oak, Texas, as Mary Poppins
• Noah Warford, a junior musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark., as George Banks
• Isabella Owen, a junior musical theatre major from Jonesboro, Ark., as Winifred Banks
• Genevieve Cooper, a freshman musical theatre and business administration double major from Frisco, Texas, as Jane
• Annslee Clay, a junior musical theatre major from Benton, Ark., as Michael
• Sierra Hoss, a junior musical theatre major from Fouke, Ark., as Katie Nana
• Kinder Hinrichs, a junior theatre arts major from Harrison, Ark., as Policeman/ Robertson Ay
• Marion Webb, a junior theatre education major from Austin, Texas, as Mrs. Lark
• Pippin Schluetz, dog of Dr. Dawn Schluetz, as Willoughby
• Tom Huston, a sophomore theatre arts and psychology double major from Sanger, Texas, as Admiral Boom/ Park Keeper
• Kailey May, a sophomore musical theatre major from Dover, Ark., as Mrs. Brill
• Julia Letcher, a senior musical theatre major from Plano, Texas, as Miss Andrew
• Amaya Hardin, a sophomore musical theatre major from Maumelle, Ark., as Bird Woman/ Neelus
• Kenzie Tatum, a freshman musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark., as Queen Victoria
• Jed Kim, visiting associate professor in the division of music, as Bank Chairman
• Grace Woodward, a junior musical theatre major from Plano, Texas, as Mrs. Smythe
• Justin Hardin, vice president of academic affairs and professor of biblical studies, as Von Hussler
• Keldon Henley, vice president for institutional advancement & chief of staff, as John Northbrook
• Abby Burlison, a junior musical theatre major from Beebe, Ark., as Mrs. Corry
• Sarah Franklin, a junior musical theatre major from Grand Cane, La., as Understudy for Mrs. Banks

Featured ensemble:

• Marion Webb
• Kenzie Tatum
• Grace Woodward
• Sarah Franklin
• Kaliya Cherry, a freshman musical theatre major from Vilonia, Ark.
• Maddy Moore, a senior musical theatre and theatre arts double major from Mesquite, Texas
• Kyleigh Stevens, a senior vocal performance major from Hot Springs, Ark.
• Halle Jones, a sophomore musical theatre major from Fort Worth, Texas 
• Hayley Johnson, a senior theatre arts major from Hot Springs, Ark. 
• Caleb Gumm, a sophomore music industry major from Fayetteville, Ark.

Crew leaders:

• Shelby Tripcony, a junior education/speech communications & theatre arts major from Little Rock, Ark. – publicity crew head
• Jonah Morgan, a freshman theatre arts major from Siloam Springs, Ark. – prop master
• Kenadee Crocker, a freshman theatre arts major from Little Rock, Ark. – costume crew head
• Wyatt Ashlock, a senior communications & media/visual media & film and theatre arts double major from Royse City, Texas – lobby display crew head

Lighting and Sound:

• Brynlee Beams, a junior theatre arts major from Cabot, Ark. – assistant lighting design and lighting board operator
• Sarah Kate Cole, a senior musical theatre major from Fort Smith, Ark. – sound board operator

Shift/Shop Crew:

• Landon Denman, a senior theatre arts and history double major from Fort Worth, Texas – shift crew
• Thomas Lilley, a sophomore theatre arts major from Dardanelle, Ark. – shift and shop crew
• Sasha Maxey, a theatre workshop assistant from Arkadelphia, Ark. – shop crew
• Brynlee Beams – shop crew
• Hayley Johnson – shop crew
• Kaliya Cherry – shop crew

• Tags:
• Musical Theatre
• School of Fine Arts
• Theatre Arts