February 12, 2009

Three shows provide dramatic weekend entertainment

SEARCY, Ark.—Valentine's Day always tends to be dramatic, but that is especially true this year in the Harding University theatre department. Three student directors and their talented casts present "Overtones," "Why Do We Laugh?" and "The Dining Room" from Feb. 12 to Feb. 14. The back-to-back shows begin at 7 p.m. in the Ulrey Performing Arts Center, and tickets cost $6.

Written by Alice Gerstenberg, "Overtones" explores the power of the inner voice. Senior theatre major Anna Shaffer of Ridgefield, Wash. directs the show.

Capable cast members include Jordan Bailey, senior English major from Hurst, Texas; Sydney Clyde, sophomore theatre and oral communications major from San Antonio, Texas; Liz Larson, senior psychology major from Houston, Texas; and Marisa Smith, senior English major from Searcy, Ark.

"Why Do We Laugh?" by Stephen Gregg is directed by Mary McBride, a junior theatre and oral communications major with a teaching license from Williamstown, N.J. The show follows Meredith and Andrew through four stages of their love/hate relationship.

The talented cast includes Ashley Houston, freshman theatre major from Eustace, Texas; Colt Cannon, freshman theatre major from Hernando, Miss.; Austin Jenkins, sophomore music education major from Snellville, Ga.; Jessica Klein, sophomore political science major from Birmingham, Ala.; Shannon Overcash, senior general studies major from Edgewater, Fla.; Riley Walling, freshman from Charlotte, N.C.; Amber Williams, junior child and family sciences major from Searcy; and Luke Wendeborn, freshman theatre major from Searcy.

A.R. Gurney's "The Dining Room" is a dramatic comedy about the dying culture of upper-middle class America. Megan West, senior theatre major from Greenville, Texas, directs the show.

The gifted cast is comprised of Austin Jenkins, sophomore music education major from Snellville, Ga.; Kristofor Hines, senior information technology major from Los Alamos, N.M.; Stephen McBride, freshman physics major from Williamstown, N.J.; Jordan Bailey, senior English major from Ft. Worth, Texas; Ashley Houston, freshman theatre major from Eustace, Texas; and Shannon Overcash, senior general studies major from Edgewater, Fla.

The public is welcome to attend the event. For more information, call 501-279-4316.