Ouachita Baptist University’s Department of Theatre Arts will present its second annual Muse Project Feb. 18-22. This year’s student-produced productions include “Render” and “Alone Together.” Performances will be held in Verser Theatre at 7:30 p.m. on Feb.18-20 and Feb. 22 as well as a 2:30 matinee on Sunday, Feb. 21. Tickets are $10 each.
Both the student-written productions will be presented each night. “Render” was written by Natalie Williams, a senior music and theatre arts double major from Little Rock, Ark., and is directed by Kyle Osmon, a senior musical theatre major from Rogers, Ark. It is a musical about a graphic designer who is given the opportunity to leave his job as a machine operator for new work and a chance at love.
“Alone Together” was written by Walter Dodd, a senior theatre arts major from Little Rock, Ark., and is directed by Stacy Hawking, a senior musical theatre major from Sherwood, Ark. It shows how relationships change between people through difficult situations.
“’Render’ is a fun musical comedy with a bit of a fantastical twist.” Williams said. “It’s quirky, romantic, and above all, fun to watch.”
“Audiences can expect laughter, ‘aww’ moments, flashy costumes, sassy fantastical characters and catchy songs,” Osmon added. “The set and special effects are out of this world. Our technical designer Marshall Pope is a magician, and I can’t wait to see everything come to life!”
“Render” will last about an hour followed by a short intermission, and the evening will conclude with “Alone Together.”
“The audience can expect something that hopefully inspires them,” Dodd said of “Alone Together.” “I feel like everyone can relate to searching for personal identity and understanding friendships and that’s what the show is about.”
“‘Alone Together’ has a message that everyone needs to hear and experience,” Hawking agreed. “It will tug at your heart strings and allow you to be thankful for the relationships you have in your life,”
Eric Phillips, chair of Ouachita’s Department of Theatre Arts, said, “It deals with some larger issues that concern us as modern humans in an uncertain world but also deals with issues that are more connected with the college student context, especially college students in a small, faith-based school.”
The Muse Project allows students to submit their proposals to the Department of Theatre Arts, work with their peers to create the show and then present their work for the Ouachita community.
“The important part of this year’s Muse Project is that student writers are getting to see their work produced with the help of other students,” Phillips explained. “The collaboration of playwrights and directors is where a lot of new work for students is happening.”
“Getting a chance to have my script put on a stage is surreal,” Dodd noted. “It’s been amazing to know this department trusts me enough to write a show. Overall, I feel encouraged and just lucky to even be doing this.”
“The OBU community should come to support their friends and fellow students,” Phillips said about the production, “and to have a good time seeing student work and enjoying some good stories.”
Tickets may be purchased at the OBU Box Office on weekdays from 1-5 p.m. or online at www.obu.edu/boxoffice. For more information, call the box office during business hours at (870) 245-5555 or email boxoffice@obu.edu.
By Caitlyn Barker
“Render”
Cast Members:
- C: Cody Walls, a sophomore musical theatre major from Huntington, Ark.
- M: Angela Morgan, a senior musical theatre major from Bryant, Ark.
- Y: Scotty Scott, a freshman musical theatre major from Russellville, Ark.
- K: Micah Brooks, a freshman musical theatre major from Rockwall, Texas.
- Gloss: Esther Atkinson, a junior musical theatre major from Rogers, Ark.
- Binder: Hannah Hines, a junior musical theatre and mass communications double major from Russellville, Ark.
- Cutter: Kayla Walker, a junior musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark.
- Laser: Zach Myers, a sophomore musical theatre major from Barling, Ark.
Crew Members:
- Book, Lyrics & Music: Natalie Williams, a senior music and theatre arts double major from Little Rock, Ark.
- Musical Director, Orchestrations & Additional Music: Stephen Curry, a fall 2015 choral music education graduate from Little Rock, Ark.
- Director: Kyle Osmon, a senior musical theatre major from Rogers, Ark.
- Set Designer: Marshall Pope, theatre shop technical director
- Lighting Designer: Eric Phillips, chair of OBU’s Department of Theatre Arts
- Costume Designer: Tara Clem, a senior musical theatre major from Texarkana, Texas
- Stage Manager: Nadalie Gill, a sophomore theatre arts major from Price, Texas
- Assistant Stage Manager: Olivia Witcher, a freshman musical theatre major from Little Rock, Ark.
- Choreographer: Hailey Weiner, a senior musical theatre major from Maumelle, Ark.
- Dance Captain: Abby Root, a junior speech communication/theatre arts and education double major from Arkadelphia, Ark.
“Alone Together”
Cast Members:
- Morgan: Mattie Bogoslavsky, a senior musical theatre and psychology double major from North Little Rock, Ark.
- Kate: Mackenzie Holtzclaw, a freshman musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark.
- Pike: Jacob Hemsath, a sophomore musical theatre major from Wylie, Texas.
- Charles: Tyler Lewis, a senior theatre arts and Christian studies/Christian ministries double major from Magnolia, Ark.
- Laura: Lauren Hutcheson, a senior musical theatre major from Bossier City, La.
- Reporter 1/Ensemble: Hannah Fender, a junior musical theatre major from Russellville, Ark.
- Reporter 2/Ensemble: Kenderick Scorza, a senior musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Ark.
- Reporter 3/Ensemble: Bret Sanders, a senior musical theatre major from Jonesboro, Ark.
- Cop 1/Ensemble: Jesse Bowron, a junior theatre arts major from Grandview, Texas
- Cop 2/Ensemble: Aaron Pinion, a senior theatre arts major from Tulsa, Okla.
- Parent 1/Ensemble: Hannah Saunders, a freshman musical theatre major from St. Paul, Ark.
- Parent 2/Ensemble: Melody Garrett, a freshman theatre arts major from Sherwood, Ark.
Crew Members:
- Writer: Walter Dodd, a senior theatre arts major from Little Rock, Ark.
- Director: Stacy Hawking, a senior musical theatre major from Sherwood, Ark.
- Stage Manager: Kathleen Suit, a senior theatre arts major from Hot Springs, Ark.
- Set Designer: Marshall Pope, theatre shop technical director
- Lighting Designer: Eric Phillips, chair of OBU’s Department of Theatre Arts
- Costume Designer: Tara Clem, a senior musical theatre major from Texarkana, Texas
