ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT

ARTS/ENTERTAINMENT PAGE 6 | WWW.OBUSIGNAL.COM Ouachita presents 30th Festival of Christmas

BY JACIE SELLARS

Staff Writer

Ouachita presented its 30th annual holiday production, Festival of Christmas on Dec. 2-3 at Jones Performing Arts Center (JPAC). According to Dr. Joshua Brown, this year’s director, Festival of Christmas began 30 years ago as a way to spread joy locally.

“Dr. Ben Elrod was the university President and wanted to offer a Christmas production as a gift to the community,” Brown said. “It has evolved into an event that showcases students from all areas of the School of Fine Arts.”

This year, over 100 students participated in the performance. “All of the Ouachita choirs, dancers, handbells and instrumentalists are in the show. Even the Art Department is offering some of their works in an auction before the show in the lobby.” Brown said.

Before the show began, several Christmas-themed activities took place in the lobby of JPAC to set the tone for the spirited performances to come. Audience members of all ages enjoyed cookies and hot chocolate as they listened to a handbell ensemble, looked at festive art and met with the Grinch and Santa.

Festival of Christmas traditionally includes a mixture of Christian and secular music. This year’s theme was “Winter Wonderland,” so the songs centered around joyful moments in the snow and the wonder surrounding Christ’s birth.

“Festival of Christmas musically shares the story of the birth of Christ through music while also providing Christmas spirit and joy through fun, secular holiday favorites,” Brown said.

The first half of the show included festive songs such as “Silver Bells,” “Winter Wonderland” and “Run, Rudolph, Run.” The second half of the program included “Breath of Heaven,” “Mary, Did You Know?” and “O Holy Night” to portray the Christmas story.

A group of student performers sing at the 30th annual Festival of Christmas. The festival of Christmas was held Dec. 2-3 to celebrate the holiday season and showcased over 100 students from the School of Fine Arts. (photo by Levi Dade)

Performing in Festival of Christmas connects decades of Ouachita students with a meaningful tradition. Freshman Blythe Hutchison was excited to be a part of the performance this year. “Being a part of the Festival of Christmas for the first time has been exciting, busy and very fun. It has truly put me in the Christmas spirit,” Hutchinson said.

Senior Kyleigh Stevens feels grateful for all of the wonderful memories she has from the show. “Festival of Christmas is such a great way to end the semester, focusing on the fun, secular Santa side of Christmas, but also reflecting on the seriousness of Christ’s coming,” Stevens said. “I think it’s amazing how we’ve kept so many traditions over the years, but we also get to grow and create a unique experience for that year.”

This year’s production ended with a song called “The Bells,” which encouraged the audience to listen for God and celebrate the coming of Christ,” Stevens said. “The choir all enjoyed ending the show with “The Bells.” It was such an amazing reminder of how God reveals himself in so many ways that we can miss if we aren’t attentive and listening for them.”

Overall, Festival of Christmas gave its audience an uplifting message that was a wonderful start to the Christmas season.

Ouachita theatre to host One Act Play Festival

BY MADISON BASCO

Staff Writer

One act plays are produced every semester by Ouachita students and are known for being wildly entertaining and captivating. Seniors Erin Bagley, Julia Letcher, Sara Kate Cole and Mikenzie Blase are directing one acts this semester as a part of their directing class. The plays will be presented this Thursday and Friday at 7:30 p.m. in Verser Theatre.

A one act play is a play in one act. These performances can range from 10 to 50 minutes, but since Ouachita typically has several one acts performed, they range from 10-20 minutes.

Bagley has been performing in one acts since high school and has even acted in a few during her time at Ouachita. This is her first year to direct. Bagley chose “The Universal Language” by David Ives from his collection of one act plays, All In the Timing.

“To choose a one act, you read a lot of plays,” Bagley said. “I still have about five books checked out from the library full of one acts. I chose the one that stuck out the most, and one that the professor of the class, Shelby Allison-Hibbs actually pointed out. I chose my one act because while it’s funny and nonsensical, it’s got a deeper meaning into its moment where we fall in love with the crazy bits.”

Bagley serves an important role in bringing the play to life and making sure everything runs smoothly.

“The role of the director is to guide the actors and whole creative team to present a cohesive story and theme,” Bagley said. “In terms of this class, since it’s not a big production we don’t have much of a creative team, other than the actors and the stage manager. So, we are in charge of what the set looks like, the costumes and lighting. With actors, we guide and pull the actors to make choices and complete their character arcs to really tell the story.”

Bagley explains how directing has been impactful this semester.

“I love seeing the light in the actors’ eyes light up like a Christmas tree when they get an idea or something clicks,” Bagley said. “Seeing it come to life is so rewarding.” With the craziness of finals and all of the stress that brings, Bagley believes that coming out to see the one acts is a great study break that is well worth your time. “It’s honestly a time to just relax and have fun,” Bagley said. “All of the plays are comedies, and it’ll be something to laugh at during a stressful week.”

One act could not be brought to life without students who take on these interesting and intricate roles. Several students have stepped up to play these characters including junior Shelby Tripcony who is performing in the one act “Sure Thing” directed by Blase. She plays the character, Betty.

“Betty is a bookworm with a bit of an attitude at points,” Tripcony said. “What is most exciting and interesting about playing her is that she changes throughout the show to fit what the other character wants romantically. I love being part of this because it’s such a collaborative art form.”

Tripcony explains that her favorite memory from this experience has been praying before every rehearsal. “I love that we are able to bring God all the glory for this show,” Tripcony said.

Bagley explains the significance of one act plays. “It’s to tell a story to the audience, something that they can connect with, whether that be through tears, laughter or uncomfortableness,” Bagley said.