Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts presented “Oklahoma!", written by composer Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, which tells the story of Laurey Williams, a farm girl from Oklahoma territory in 1906, and her courtship with two rival suitors, cowboy Curly McLain and farmhand Jud Fry. Performances were held in OBU's Jones Performing Arts Center on April 11-14, 2019. To view the promotional poster, visit https://scholarlycommons.obu.edu/theatre_posters/31/.
There were more than 120 cast and crew members involved in the production. Lauren Terry was assistant director for the production; Dr. Jon Secrest, Addie Mae Maddox Professor of Music, served as music director; Christina Johnson, assistant professor of theatre arts, was costume designer; Eric Philips, professor of theatre arts, was the technical director; and Stacy Hawking, fine arts administrator and box office manager, was the choreographer. Abi Anderson served as stage manager and assisted by Dani Thompson.
Lead members of the cast included: Kenzie Henderson as Aunt Eller; Clay Mobley as Curly; Michaela Finley as Laurey; Cedar Valdez as Will Parker; Micah Brooks as Jud Fry; Hannah Hill as Ado Annie Carnes; David Hudson as Ali Hakim; Autumn Romines as Gertie Cummings; Scotty Scott as Andrew Carnes; Dylan Blackwood as Ike Skidmore; Philip Robinson as Fred; Zach Myers as Slim; Emily Johnson as Ellen; Bonnie Gentry as Kate; Tyler Mann as Joe; Emma Lawyer as Vivian; Sammy Campione as Tom; Lizzy Griffin as Virginia; Cannon Fisher as Cord Elam.
Members of the ensemble included: Hannah Adair, Hannah Anderson, Carlin Campbell, Jess Crook, Elizabeth Dawson, Logan Dooley, Melodie Dubose, Danielle Hall, Payton Hickman, Molly Kennedy, Ashlynn Lockhart, Ryan Lynch, Madeline Martin, Raleigh Peterson, Paige Price, Elizabeth Ring, Hannah Saunders, Abby Shourd, Emily Siemens, Hailey Smith, Sharayah Wallace, Rachel Webber, Olivia Witcher, Meagan Woodard, and Jhonika Wright.
The cast also featured youth from the Arkadelphia community, including: Emmie Carozza as young Laurey; Cassie Carozza as middle Laurey; Morgan Lewis as young Ado Annie; Mallorie Carozza as middle Ado Annie; David Garrett as young Curly; Carson Carozza as middle Curly; Carly Carozza as middle Gertie; and Carson Lewis as middle Will Parker.
Crew leaders included: Follow-spot--Mallory Cain; Scenery shifts and props--Bailey Ellison; House management--Hannah Gothard; Backstage audio--Amy Jackson; Soundboard operator--Kailee Morehart; House management--Kinsey Potts; Scenery shift and props--Makenna Schaeffer; Hair and makeup crew heads--Bawo Asagba and Briana Penn. Costume and makeup crew heads--Abby Holland, Audrey Johnson, Jaden Rich, and Ashton Spence.
