‘Blithe Spirit’ Production to be Directed by Northwestern Student Feb. 22-24
January 25, 2024
Lisa Turner, an Alva senior majoring in speech and theatre at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, will present her senior capstone production as the director of “Blithe Spirit” on Feb. 22-23 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 24 at 2 p.m. in Herod Hall Auditorium. General admission is $10, university employees and senior citizens are $5, and students with a student ID are $3.
Turner said she has worked in all aspects of a production before including being the stage manager, running and co-designing the lights, working in the tech crew and also being an actor on the stage, and although she’s excited about the production, she is a little nervous about being in charge of it all.
“I’m confident that the classes I have taken have prepared me to create a wonderful production,” Turner said.
Concord Theatricals states in its summary of the production that “Blithe Spirit” was a smash comedy hit in London and New York. This much-revived classic from the playwright Noel Coward “concerns fussy, cantankerous novelist Charles Condomine, who has remarried but finds himself haunted (literally) by the ghost of his late first wife, Elvira. Clever, insistent and well aware of Charles' shortcomings, Elvira is called up by a visiting ‘happy medium,’ the eccentric and flighty Madame Arcati. As everyone's personalities clash, Charles’ current wife, Ruth, is accidentally killed. She ‘passes over’ and joins Elvira, allowing the two ‘blithe spirits’ to haunt the hapless Charles into perpetuity.”
The first-time director’s experiences with being a part of the Reichenberger Fine Arts Department have been enjoyable.
“The instructors have been a wonderful help to me,” Turner said. “They have guided me through my time at Northwestern.”
Kimberly Weast, professor of theatre arts and chair of the department, has been one of Turner’s instructors throughout her time in the theatre program.
“It is always a wonderful experience to observe a student apply the training they have received for four years,” Weast said. “Lisa is successfully creating a wonderful evening of laughter, intrigue and surprises. I believe patrons of all ages will thoroughly enjoy what she, her cast and her crew will present.”
Cast members for this production include the following:
Archer Bohlen, Ringwood senior majoring in computer science; Jade Campbell, Woodward sophomore majoring in instrumental music; Alan Garcia, Beaver junior majoring in biology-health science; Kylee Harzman, Alva post-graduate; Maegan Holson, Waynoka junior majoring in psychology; Jaden Matthews, Hennessey sophomore majoring in speech and theatre; Gail Schroeder, Okeene freshman majoring in speech and theatre.
The understudy list includes:
Samuel Grinder, Sayre senior majoring in vocal music; Kyanne Randolph, Ringwood freshman majoring in elementary education; John Snyder, Oklahoma City sophomore majoring in instrumental music; Rosa Vargas, Lahoma sophomore majoring in instrumental music.
For more information on theatre performances and courses at Northwestern, contact Weast at (580) 327-8462 or kkweast@nwosu.edu or see more info at www.nwosu.edu/fine-arts.
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