Theatre keeps entertaining all summer long

Even after the regular school year ended, the theatre department kept on entertaining all summer long with three shows:
- a dessert theatre, "Quilters"
- a dinner theatre, "Murdered by the Mob"
- a children’s play, "Go Jump in the Lake"

In June, the department presented the dessert theatre “Quilters,” a musical about women’s struggle and heartache during the pioneer’s Western movement.

“This was my first time doing the dessert theatre and I thought it was a great idea and a success because the dessert was an added bonus,” Annie Gaarder, junior theatre major, said. “Instead of just seeing a show, they got dessert and a show. Plus, it put people in a good mood before the show.”

Once the audience had indulged in apple cobbler and ice cream the play got under way.

“It’s a story about strong women who endured a lot on their own,” Kyle Accord, senior theater major, said. “They didn’t have many outlets for their frustration and heartache.”

“Quilters” is an ensemble musical, meaning there are many different characters. It does not follow a linear plot, rather jumps from story to story and character to character.

“[You] might not have a bunch of lines (in one scene),” Accord said, “but you are expected to have a fully developed character.”

The cast met with the Cane River Quilters to learn more about the power of quilting.

“It’s going to be very good for Natchitoches,” Alee Peck, junior theatre major, said.
“It will really open their eyes.”

Towards the end of the summer, the department performed “Murdered by the Mob,” a murder mystery dinner play. The play is set in the 1920’s during the proabition and what really happens in the back of a confection’s shop, that turns out to be a speakeasy, in Chicago.

The play was unique because the audience was seated on the stage and got to interact with the characters the entire evening.

“The characters served the meal and the audience figures out who killed who. The audience could also bribe the actors,” Scott Burrell, theatre coordinator, said.

The audience collects clues throughout the play to figure out who is the murder.

“It’s different every night because the audience is always different. [The audience should] be ready to interact and come ready to play,” Eric Duhon, assistant director, said.

Theatre senior Liz Maxwell directed the last play of the summer, the children’s play “Go Jump in the Lake!”

This was the first summer the theatre department offered a children’s show, but they want to make it an annual event. Maxwell hoped for many group reservations from camps and daycares.

“It is a really cute story about a dragon, skunk and boy who learn to defend themselves with non-violence. The message is good for kids,” Maxwell said.

Check out the NSU Theatre Department.



ORIGINAL STORY
Even after the regular school year ended, the theatre department kept on entertaining all summer long with three shows: a dessert theatre, a dinner theatre and a children’s play.
In June, the department presented the dessert theatre “Quilters,” a musical about women’s struggle and heartache during the pioneer’s Western movement.
“This was my first time doing the dessert theatre and I thought it was a great idea and a success because the dessert was an added bonus,” Annie Gaarder, junior theatre major, said. “Instead of just seeing a show, they got dessert and a show. Plus, it put people in a good mood before the show.”
Once the audience had indulged in apple cobbler and ice cream the play got under way.
“It’s a story about strong women who endured a lot on their own,” Kyle Accord, senior theater major, said. “They didn’t have many outlets for their frustration and heartache.”
“Quilters” is an ensemble musical, meaning there are many different characters. It does not follow a linear plot, rather jumps from story to story and character to character.
“[You] might not have a bunch of lines (in one scene),” Accord said, “but you are expected to have a fully developed character.”
The cast met with the Cane River Quilters to learn more about the power of quilting.
“It’s going to be very good for Natchitoches,” Alee Peck, junior theatre major, said. “It will really open their eyes.”
Towards the end of the summer, the department performed “Murdered by the Mob,” a murder mystery dinner play. The play is set in the 1920’s during the proabition and what really happens in the back of a confection’s shop, that turns out to be a speakeasy, in Chicago.
The play was unique because the audience was seated on the stage and got to interact with the characters the entire evening.
“The characters served the meal and the audience figures out who killed who. The audience could also bribe the actors,” Scott Burrell, theatre coordinator, said.
The audience collects clues throughout the play to figure out who is the murder.
“It’s different every night because the audience is always different. [The audience should] be ready to interact and come ready to play,” Eric Duhon, assistant director, said.
Theatre senior Liz Maxwell directed the last play of the summer, the children’s play “Go Jump in the Lake!”
This was the first summer the theatre department offered a children’s show, but they want to make it an annual event. Maxwell hoped for many group reservations from camps and daycares.
“It is a really cute story about a dragon, skunk and boy who learn to defend themselves with non-violence. The message is good for kids,” Maxwell said.