On February 28 to March 2, the HPU Department of Theatre performed “Anastasia: The Musical” to three consecutive sell-out audiences at the Howard Payne University Theatre. Following their home-town success, the entire production was loaded into a trailer and hit the road to perform at the Christian University Theatre Festival (CUTF) at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene.

“This record setting attendance is in large part due to the incredible talents and hard work displayed by HPU students in the cast and crew,” said Dr. Nick Ewen, chair of the department of theatre and director.

“With beautiful scenery and costumes, soaring musical numbers, entertaining choreography, and brilliant performances by a strong cast of leading roles and ensemble, ‘Anastasia’ was a triumph for the School of Education and Fine Arts and the Department of Theatre.”

Twenty-two HPU students and three sponsors attended the CUTF in Abilene. The cast and crew had three-and-a-half hours to re-build their set, prepare props and costumes, record light cues, set sound and mic levels and get into character for an 8:00 p.m. performance on Monday, March 3.

“The CUTF performance of Anastasia was a tremendous success, displaying HPU’s commitment to service to Christ and excellence onstage for an enthusiastic audience,” said Dr. Ewen.

In addition to their performance on Monday evening, students had the opportunity to attend performances by Hardin-Simmons University, Lubbock Christian University and a one-woman performance by Dr. Terri Castleberry, the special guest respondent for the festival.

There were also several opportunities for students to attend workshops oriented toward developing theatre skills including acting, directing and design, as well as boldly living out their faith in Christ.

HPU was honored to receive the following recognitions for the CUTF performances and festival participation:

Ana Faulk, freshman, history and Guy D. Newman Honors Academy major, received Outstanding Achievement in Performance for the role of The Dowager Empress; Wyatt Benoist, junior, business marketing major, received Outstanding Achievement in Performance for the role of Dmitry; Victoriano Cooper, junior, music and biochemistry major, received Outstanding Achievement in Performance for the role of Vlad; Julie Ivy, junior, Christian education major, received Outstanding Achievement in Performance for the role of Anya; Lauren Phelps, freshman, theatre major, received the Super Trooper Award – Outstanding Festival Participant; and Nathan Weems, sophomore, computer information systems major, also received the Super Trooper Award – Outstanding Festival Participant.

To learn more about HPU’s Department of Theatre, visit www.hputx.edu/theatre.