By Madison Cresswell
ARKADELPHIA, Ark. – Ouachita Baptist University’s Department of Theatre Arts will present the student-led production "Almost, Maine" by John Cariani for the department’s annual Muse Project. Performances will be held in Ouachita’s Verser Theatre Feb. 13-17 at 7:30 p.m., with a matinee performance on Sunday, Feb. 16, at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 each and can be purchased through Ouachita’s Box Office.
The department’s Muse Project allows students majoring in theatre, musical theatre or theatre education to present their own work in an original performance. Students submit theatrical experiences or shows they would like to produce, with one proposal accepted each year. ”Almost, Maine” is directed by Dylan Blackwood, a senior musical theatre major from Walnut Ridge, Ark., and Raleigh Peterson, a senior musical theatre major from Branson, Mo. Ashlynn Lockhart, a sophomore musical theatre major from Holiday Island, Ark., will serve as stage manager.
“I am very excited to direct this play,” Blackwood said. “It is very different than most plays produced by OBU, so it will be a nice change of pace for audiences.”
Composed of nine short plays, “Almost, Maine” explores the themes of love and loss in a remote, mythical “almost-town.”
“The core story of this expression of love is very important to me, and I am grateful to be telling this story with Raleigh and our wonderful cast,” Blackwood added.
Tickets are $10 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 Joe Hernandez, assistant professor of theatre arts at [email protected] or (870) 245-5561.
Cast
Cross Brandon, a sophomore instrumental education major from Little Rock, Ark.
Carlin Campbell, a senior musical theatre major from Rose Hill, Kan.
Emily Dellyn Johnson, a senior musical theatre major from Benton, Ark.
LilyKay Feimster, a sophomore theatre arts major from Atlanta, Texas
Aaron George, a senior accounting and finance double major from Rogers, Ark.
Molly Kennedy, a senior musical theatre major from Melissa, Texas
Ryan Lynch, a junior musical theatre major from Bryant, Ark.
Autumn Romines, a senior musical theatre major from Cabot, Ark.
Swings
Landon Denman, a freshman theatre arts major from Fort Worth, Texas
Danielle Hall, a senior musical theatre major from Prairie Grove, Ark.
Payton Hickman, a sophomore musical theatre major from Siloam Springs, Ark.
Paige Price, a senior musical theatre major from Plano, Texas
Crew
Assistant stage manager and set design – Matigan Snook, a junior theatre arts major from Cedar Hill, Texas
Sound design – Abi Anderson, a junior theatre arts and education double major from Mesquite, Texas
Lighting design – Emily Siemens, a senior musical theatre major from Bentonville, Ark., and Cedar Valdez, a senior musical theatre major from Rogers, Ark.
Costume design – Meagan Woodard, a senior communications & media/multimedia journalism and theatre arts double major from Alvarado, Texas.
Props – Mikenzie Blase, a sophomore theatre arts and education double major from Texarkana, Texas