Seussical: An OBU Musical Theatre Production

Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Fine Arts presented Seussical, a musical adaptation of several of Dr. Seuss’ best-known characters by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, with music by Flaherty and lyrics by Ahrens. The performance was held in OBU's Jones Performing Arts Center on April 19-22, 2018.

Seussical tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for “thinking too many thinks.” Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping, and a trial, but the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. His struggles highlight the powers of friendship, loyalty, family, and community.

The Production Crew included: Director--Drew Hampton, assistant professor of theatre arts; Music Director--Dr. Jon Secrest, professor of music; Choreographer--Grace Hampton; Assistant Stage Director--Andrew Martin; Stage Manager--Nadalie Gill; Assistant Stage Manager--Ashton Spence; Accompanist--Susan Monroe; and Co-Dance Captains --Lauren Terry, Dylan Blackwood, and Bonnie Gentry.

Cast members included: Cat in the Hat--Michael Peré; JoJo--Hannah Hines; Horton--Will Stotts; Sour Kangaroo--Zachary Myers; Mayzie--Kenzie Henderson; Mayor--Scotty Scott; Mayor's Wife--Esther Atkinson; Bird Girls--Hannah Hill, Lauren Terry, and Autumn Romines; Wickersham Brothers--Dylan Blackwood, Micah Brooks, Logan Dooley, Jacob Hemsath, Jesse Robinson, and Cody Walls; Gertrude-- Mackenzie Holtzclaw; General Schmitz--Clay Mobley.

The Ensemble included: Hannah Anderson, Bawo Asagba, Matthew Burns, Anna Darr, Elizabeth Dawson (Vlad), Melodie DuBose, Hannah Earls, Jessica Elliff, Michaela Finley, Bonnie Gentry, Lizzy Griffin, Caleb Harris, Emily Johnson, Ryan Lynch (Grinch), Alex Marrin, Paige Price, Kristi Roshto, Hannah Saunders, Emily Siemens, Anna Joie Valdez, Cedar Valdez, Sharayah Wallace, Rachel Webber, Jhonika Wright (Yertle), and Arkadelphia community member Emorie Carozza.

The Costumes Production Team included: Designer--visiting assistant professor of theatre arts Christina Johnson; Crew Head--Sam Elmore; and Crew Members--Hannah Anderson, Anna Crane, Elizabeth Dawson, Michaela Finley, Jacob Hemsath, David Hudson, Emily Johnson, Destiny Kirkham, Zach Myers, Sharayah Wallace, Jhonika Wright.

The Makeup/Hair Production Team included: Designer--Christina Johnson; Makeup Designer--Jess Elliff; Hair Designer--Lizzy Griffin; Crew Head--Audrey Johnson; and Crew Members: Sophia Chiocco and Madeline Martin.

The Props Production Team included: Designer/Crew Head--Abi Anderson; and Crew Members--Anna Darr, Melodie DuBose, Nathan Frick, Amy Lytle, Alex Marrin, Kristi Roshto, Emily Siemens, Cedar Valdez, Cody Walls.

The Scenery Production Team included: Designer/Technical Director--Eric Phillips, Ouachita professor of theatre arts; Head of Verser Scene Shop--Tyler Lewis; Shift/Run Crew--Brad Mosely; Fly Rail--JPAC Crew; Construction Crew--Micah Brooks, Matthew Burns, Graham Garrison, Caleb Harris, Ryan Lynch, Clay Mobley, and Hannah Saunders.

The Lights Production Team included: Designers--Andrew Martin and Stephen Vaughn; Light Board Operator--Rahlea Zinck; and Crew Members--Bawo Asagba, Logan Dooley, Hannah Earls, Jesse Robinson, and Anna Joie Valdez.

The Sound Production Team included: Sound Designer/SFX Organizer and Sound Board Operator--Meagan Woodard; Mics Backstage--Brad Mosely and Danielle Hall.

The Front of House/ Publicity Team included: House Manager/Publicity Crew Head--Brooklyn Jennings; Fine Arts Administrator and Box Office Manager--Stacy Hawking; Crew/Ushers--Graham Garrison; Poster and Program Design--Adam Wheat.