Cast, Crew Preparing for ‘Blithe Spirit’ Production at Northwestern Feb. 22-24

February 14, 2024

Student Director Lisa Turner (seated) directs (left to right) Nora Campbell, Archer Bohlen and Alan Garcia during a recent rehearsal for the upcoming comedy “Blithe Spirit” at Northwestern Feb. 22-24.

Students in the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Reichenberger Fine Arts Department’s theatre program will present the comedy “Blithe Spirit” by Noel Coward in Herod Hall Auditorium Feb. 22-23 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 24 at 2 p.m.

Lisa Turner, Alva senior majoring in speech and theatre, is the director of this production, which serves as her senior capstone project that fulfills the requirements for her degree.

General admission is $10, university employees and senior citizens are $5, and students with a student ID are $3.

“Hundreds of man hours go into technically presenting a play,” Kimberly Weast, professor of theatre arts, department chair and producer of the production, said.  

 “A set has to be safely built with functioning doors, windows, etc. The set has to be decorated with period-appropriate properties and furniture. Lights must be hung, focused, gelled, and then designed on the light board. Time period-appropriate costumes must be made, purchased, or found. Lastly, audio for the production to be played before, during, and after the play must be chosen and designed. Also, sound effects within the production must all be programmed into a computer and then processed through the audio board. This all must happen before we get into technical and dress rehearsal week.”

Turner also serves as the lighting, scenic, audio and costume designer for this production in addition to her director duties.

“The production class and I are working diligently creating, finding, and restoring set pieces and props to create the set of a Kent English Country Manor set in 1941 England,” Turner said.  

Cast members for this production include 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.

Crew members for this production are Riley Shires, Waynoka freshman majoring in English, stage manager; Lilith Ferrero, Cordell junior majoring in speech and theatre, lighting operator; and Artemis Hillman, Cheyenne freshman majoring in general studies, audio operator.  Serving as the stage crew are Rosa Vargas, Lahoma freshman majoring in instrumental music; Gabriel Bussinger, Woodward sophomore majoring in speech and theatre; Temberlenn Hall, Magnolia, Texas, junior majoring in speech and theatre; and Jaylee Ross, Crescent freshman majoring in mass communication.

Mickey Jordan, director of technical theatre and Herod Hall facilities manager, will assist Turner with properties duties.

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.

-NW-