Henderson, OBU team up for theater production 
The Henderson State University and Ouachita Baptist University theatre programs have joined together to produce To Kill a Mockingbird. The play, based on the classic novel by Harper Lee, is adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel. Performances will be Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. and Oct. 2 at 2:30 p.m. in Ouachita’s Verser Theatre, and Oct. 6-8 and Oct. 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Henderson’s Arkansas Hall Studio Theatre.
The universities have combined performing and technical resources to produce the timely story.
Set in the Deep South, Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel sees racial injustice envelop a small-town community. Through courage and compassion, lawyer Atticus Finch seeks the truth, and his feisty daughter, Scout — a young girl on the cusp of adulthood — brings new hope to a neighborhood in turmoil. This play explores the racial tensions of the early 20th-Century South and applauds the strength of those who fight injustice.
The cast of the joint production includes Henderson students Blake Abbott and C.J. Bernard of Malvern; Aaron Charles of Gurdon; Kyle Chassells of Morrilton; Bryant Curtis of Broken Bow, Oklahoma; Damien Freeman of Sheridan; Joseph Kalinowski of Searcy; Jawuan Litzsey of Jacksonville; Koty Mansfield, Anthony McBride, and Madison Moore of Benton; Colin Perry of Texarkana, Texas; Magee-Lee Preston of The Colony, Texas; Savannah Reynolds of Monticello; and Jacey Russell of Morrilton.
Ouachita students include: Graham Garrison of Rowlett, Texas; MacKenzie Holtzclaw of North Little Rock; Emma Pitts of Clarksville; Philip Robinson of Lewisville, Texas; Scotty Scott of Russellville; Cedar Valdez of Rogers; Sharayah Wallace of Bryant; Meagan Woodard of Alvarado, Texas; and Jhonika Wright of Arkadelphia.
The play is under the direction of Claudia A. Beach, director of theatre at Henderson. Scenic designer is Eric Phillips, professor of theatre arts at Ouachita. Costume and makeup designers are Christina Johnson, assistant professor of theatre arts at Ouachita, and William Henshaw, professor of theatre at Henderson. Lighting is designed by Henderson student Jennings Johnson. The stage manager is Henderson’s Brittany Carter of Sheridan, assisted by Ouachita’s Nadalie Gill of Price, Texas.
The Henderson Theatre Box Office in Arkansas Hall will be open for advance ticket sales to the Henderson performances from 1-4 p.m. beginning Sept. 26. All seats are reserved.
Admission is $10, or free with an HSU or OBU student ID. Season tickets, which include admission to To Kill a Mockingbird, the three additional mainstage productions, and the spring dance concert, may be purchased for $38. For the performances at Ouachita, tickets may be purchased at www.obu.edu/boxoffice, or through the Jones Performing Arts Center Box Office weekdays from 1-5 p.m.
Current Henderson and Ouachita students may receive one ticket upon presentation of their student ID at the box office at either venue. For more information, call the HSU Box Office at (870) 230-5291 or the OBU Box Office at (870) 245-5555 during business hours.
All Care Pharmacy is providing support for To Kill a Mockingbird performances on the Henderson State University campus.