By MALLORY PARUSZEWSKI
Senior Reporter
The dates are getting closer for the upcoming production of “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella” musical presented by the Northwestern Oklahoma State University Reichenberger Department of Fine Arts.
There’s more than we expect that gets put into the making of a play: the planning, music, stage production, technical work, costume, props, special effects and much more.
Mickey Jordan, director of technical theatre, addresses the fact that with the production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella the stage crew has had to take off the cover of the apron of the stage, meaning they opened the pit for the orchestra to play in.
The stage has to change to fit the play therefore the cast loses space.
“The biggest challenge with technical theater is the logistics because once the apron was taken out, we lost 10 feet.” Jordan said. “We have 50 people on stage, and then adding two, 4 by 8 platforms, you’ve lost that much.”
When it comes time to decide which play will be in production next, the decision making process is almost 4 months in advance. Kimberly Weast, professor of theatre arts, said the casting never happens pre show. They look at vocals and age to ensure that the play can be casted three or four different ways.
The Fine Arts Department is always looking for non-majors to participate in some way.
“The arts are about the only thing you can do when you’re 100,” Weast said. “The arts are something we believe are life long.”
General admission is $15, university employees are $10, and students with a current ID are $5. Show times are 7 p.m. on April 18-19 and 2 p.m. on April 20.
