ARKADELPHIA, Arkansas — The Department of Theatre Arts in Ouachita Baptist University’s School of Performing Arts will present “The Theory of Relativity” from Thursday-Sunday, Sept. 25-28 in Verser Theatre. Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, with a 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday.
Based on the book by Brian Hill and music and lyrics by Neil Bartram, “The Theory of Relativity” uniquely combines unrelated monologues, songs and scenes to relate to young adults and encourage audience members to be true to themselves – even if it means being considered different by a society’s standards.
“‘Relativity’ shows us what can happen when we let go of our fears and let other people into our lives,” said John Forkner, assistant professor of theatre arts. “So many of us would rather experience life through the safety of a screen than make eye contact with the people next to us. This production makes the case that real, life-changing connections with other people are possible, but only if we have the courage to step out of our comfort zone.”
Kenzie Tatum, a senior musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Arkansas, plays the role of Olivia. “It will be so much fun to share a story with our students that they’ll relate to unlike any other productions we’ve done in my time here,” Tatum said. “It invokes a good amount of introspection, and I think it will be an excellent message for our student body.”
“Our hope is that ‘Relativity’ encourages people to see how much we need each other, and that even the strangers in our lives are deserving of Christlike compassion and empathy,” Forkner emphasized.
Tickets are $8-10 and can be purchased at obu.edu/boxoffice or on weekdays from 1-5 p.m. at the Ouachita Box Office in JPAC. Ouachita students may receive one free ticket with their university ID. For more information, contact the box office at (870) 245-5555.
Cast:
- Cooper Armstrong, a junior musical theatre major from McGregor, Texas, as Ryan
- Brooks Harrison, a junior musical theatre major from Fort Smith, Arkansas, as Adam
- Chloe Cofer, a senior musical theatre major from Branson, Missouri, as Jenny
- Steven Hibbard, a sophomore computer science major from Crossett, Arkansas, as Mike
- Jennie Higdon, a senior musical theatre major from Washington, Oklahoma, as Julie
- Kade Loomis, a sophomore performance and voice double major from Magnolia, Texas, as Paul
- Jayne Pecena, a senior theatre arts major from Rockwall, Texas, as Sara
- Danielle Rivera, a junior musical theatre major from Hot Springs, Arkansas, as Catherine 2
- Madisyn Sallas, a senior musical theatre major from Austin, Arkansas, as Caroline
- Kenzie Tatum, a senior musical theatre major from North Little Rock, Arkansas, as Olivia
- Miriam Vermeer, a junior musical theatre major from Ashdown, Arkansas, as Catherine 1
- Virginia Waterman, a senior musical theatre major from Dallas, Texas as Mira