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SUNDAY, APRIL 2, 2023 | KILLEEN DAILY HERALD
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor to hold 84th annual Easter Pageant BY DAVID STONE FME NEWS SERVICE
The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor will hold its long running Easter Pageant on April 5 with three free performances. The 84th annual event will start at 12:30 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. in front of Luther Memorial on the UMHB campus in Belton. According to Ashley Smith, UMHB’s director of marketing and public relations, the pageant will be live online on the UMHB Facebook page and at umhb.edu/live. “The Easter Pageant chronicles moments for the Gospel story, including Christ’s triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, Christ’s trial by Pontius Pilate, crucifixion, death and resurrection,” Smith said. “This event has become a NAN DICKSON | FME NEWS SERVICE tradition for many Central Seth Brennan, a senior mathematics major from Spring, portrayed Jesus during the Easter Pageant at the University of Texas families and is expected Mary Hardin-Baylor in 2022. to attract thousands of visitors,” she said. The pageant features a cast of Every year, UMHB President Jesus and Mary. The selection is Seating for the student-led hundreds of students, plus chil- Randy O’Rear selects a student based on their strong Christian production is available on a dren and grandchildren of forto direct the pageant and two faith and character. first-come, first-served basis. mer students, faculty and staff. students to play the key roles of “Katy Melton, a junior Span-
ish and social work major from Katy, has served as this year’s pageant director,” Smith said. “Lexy Bardin and Ange Rugira have served as Melton’s assistant directors.” Bardin is a senior health science major from Caldwell and Rugira is a senior general studies major from Fort Worth. Nicholas McDaniel, a senior management major from Bryan, will portray Jesus, and Ruth Lawson, a senior transformational development major from Belton, will be Mary. Pageant organizers said the 5:30 p.m. show is tremendously popular, so visitors are encouraged to consider earlier performances if possible. Bring sunscreen — umbrellas are not allowed. The tradition of the annual Easter Pageant at UMHB began in 1940 when it was held during the afternoon on Easter Sunday. At that time, Mary Hardin-Baylor was an all-female campus, so all of the roles were played entirely by women. Over time, the production expanded to include male students and additional performances.