Forget the turkey coma, it’s time to get in the Christmas spirit at Ouachita. The School of Fine Arts has been working diligently since the first week of fall classes to produce the annual anticipated event, A Festival of Christmas. The traditional production will include both secular and sacred Christmas music, along with choreography, and a performance by the Ouachita Handbell Ringers. The event will be held tomorrow and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. in the Jones Performing Art Center.
This year marks the 24th anniversary for the Festival of Christmas. The event began in December 1992, the year Jones Performing Art Center was built. The members of Ouachita’s School of Fine Arts wanted to give back to the community, and this seemed to be a brilliant way to do so.
Many church groups attend every year along with a group from Hot Springs Village, those from the Arkadelphia community, alumni and current and prospective students.
Two events coincide with The Festival of Christmas, Tiger Day and the Donors’ Banquet. Tiger Day will be Friday, allowing prospective students to check out the production. As a thank you to donors attending the banquet on Saturday, they will be given a free ticket to the event.
Many Ouachita musical groups are involved in the Festival of Christmas along with members of Ouachita’s faculty and staff. While preparing individually, they will all collaborate to produce the Christmas event. The groups involved include Concert Choir, Ouachita Sounds, Women’s Chorus, Ouachita Honor Choir, Handbell Ringers and the Festival of Christmas Band. A few famous Christmas songs to be performed include “Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” “Silent Night,” “O Holy Night,” “Mary Did You Know,” and, for all the “Frozen” lovers, “Let it Go.”
A dance group, The Movers and Shakers, will also be performing during the production. Stacey Hawking, the choreographer for Movers and Shakers, said, “the thing I’m most excited about this year is seeing Festival of Christmas from the perspective of an alumn[a].”
Preparation begins early for this event. Margaret Geoffrion, a member of Concert Choir and Women’s Chorus, noted that she has been practicing with Concert Choir since the first week of classes.
Along with other student leaders, Jacob Hemsath, the assistant choreographer, has been working hard to prepare dance moves for the singers that will complement the Movers and Shakers. Although he is handling a big responsibility, Hemsath says, “it’s a fun event!”
The Festival of Christmas performers will continue to rehearse this week but will incorporate the entire cast and crew while finalizing the production.
Many faculty members at Ouachita also take part in this event. Dr. Scott Holsclaw, a professor of theatre arts, is the stage director of this year’s production. He works behind the scenes to make sure everything flows smoothly along with Stephen Myers, the technical director. This includes making sure the lights and sounds are intact and working with the technicians to set up the stage. He really enjoys the Festival of Christmas and added, ”it’s a great way to start off your Christmas season.”
Mr. Gary Gerber, the dean of Ouachita’s School of Fine Arts, serves as the musical director and directs The Festival of Christmas Band, Concert Choir and Ouachita Singers. He views the production as a great way to give back to the community of Ouachita and surrounding areas, and he also said the event is a great production for students.
Festival of Christmas is a well-respected tradition at Ouachita with many people attending year after year. The performers, directors and behind-the-scenes assistants continue to work tirelessly to produce a production for all to enjoy.
Tickets are priced at $12 each and may be purchased online at www.obu.edu/boxoffice or at the Jones Performing Arts Center Box Office weekdays from 1-5 p.m. Students will also be given a ticket free of charge with a valid OBU ID.
By Ashlynn Morton, Staff Writer
