Senior theatre projects sure to be a smash hit
Emma Ogren, Staff Writer
Photo by Seth Atkins. Alyse Barrett performing in “The Heath.”
Each year, the seniors in North Greenville University’s theatre department hold a special position in a show as their senior project.
Senior projects or thesis’ is required in almost every department at NGU, but the seniors in the theatre department take a more creative approach.
Theatre students with a performance concentration take on a starring role in one of the four shows that NGU puts on each year.
Amy Dunlap, associate dean of the school of arts, said that the projects run deeper than just a major role.
“They write a comprehensive research paper about that role covering the history of the character, the history of the show, when it was written, why it was written and any other supporting aspects that might be involved in playing that role,” she said.
At the end of the semester, the seniors then do a presentation for the students and faculty of the theatre department. In this presentation, they discuss their show, how they prepared for the role and what they learned from it.
They collect artifacts from their show-such as directors notes, photos, their script, etc-and include those. After their presentation, the faculty and students are then able to ask questions about the role.
This season, the shows include senior spotlight performances are: “The Heath,” “A Christmas Carol,” “The Women of Lockerbie” and “Newsies.”
Design concentration students also take on a major role for their senior project. They just take a more behind-the-scenes route. The students have the option to do costume or set design for one of the shows. Students also are able to create lighting design or lead stage management.
Dunlap said, “it depends on the concentration, and it depends on the student’s interest. It’s a creative project.”
Corrie Owen, senior, is going to be spotlighted in “A Christmas Carol,” which will be playing from Nov. 13-15 and 20-22.
Owen will be playing multiple characters, but her main role will be the Ghost of Christmas Present. She describes the character as, “a bubbly, wild lady with a Cockney dialect in this version.”
She has always loved acting and being on stage. Her and her mother started their own drama group when she was younger and the first play they put on was “A Christmas Carol.”
“It is a full-circle moment that my senior show is a Christmas Play,” Owen said. “I see it as a sign of God’s guidance and care in shaping and guiding my life.”
She explained how this experience will stick with her as she prepares to enter the professional world.
“Acting in ‘A Christmas Carol’ has restored some of the wonder and courage that I had forgotten I possessed,” she said. “I hope to take the freedom to create from a place of joy and curiosity with me to every role I play.”
Free tickets are available to students to any show with your student ID. They are available to pick up at the box office in the school of theatre.
