Main Menu
NEWS RELEASE
Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu
)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
11/19/2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES-The Mrs. H.D. Dear Sr. and Alice E. Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts will present its annual Christmas Gala Dec. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. in the A.A. Fredericks Auditorium. Admission is $5 and free for NSU students with an I.D. Scott Burrell is the Gala producer.
The Gala will feature a new short play, "The Mystery of the Stolen Christmas Ornaments" directed by Dr. Vicki Parrish and written by students in her Theatre 4260 class.
The play is a combination of "Harry Potter," "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure" and "101 Dalmatians." The people of the town of Chinquapin are in danger of having their Christmas taken away when the evil Alexis, played by Jules Lambert, and her gang steal the towns Christmas ornaments given to them by countries around the world. Alexis' plot is foiled by a kid named Andy (Kerry Lambert), who had been kicked out of wizardry school, and his two friends, Will (Brian Jarreau) and Fred (Van White).
Co-authors of the play were Brandi Albritton, Kelly Airhart, Leia Coates, David Combs, Beau Guedry, Bree Kenny, Michael Nash, Thea Richard and Van White.
Performances by the Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra, the NSU Concert Choir, The NSU Harp Ensemble, the NSU Rockettes, the NSU Concert Percussion Ensemble, the NSU Demon Dazzlers, the Northwestern Theatre "Class Act" Carolers and the Northwestern Theater Dancers will be part of the Gala. The Gala Can-Can Dancers, Gala "Little Dragons, Hip-Hop Dancers and Jazz Dancers will also be featured.
The "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" by Leon Jessel will also be performed. The wooden soldiers are choreographed by Susan Hussey and the toy soldiers are choreographed by Leea Reese.
The Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Douglas Bakenhus, will perform "A Christmas Festival" and "Sleigh Ride" by Leroy Anderson. They will accompany the NSU Concert Choir on "O Come All Ye Faithful" arranged by John Rutter, the NSU Rockettes on "Winter Wonderland" by Felix Bernard and the Gala Can-Can Dancers on "Can-Can" by Jacques Offenbach.
The Concert Choir, conducted by Dr. Burt Allen, will also be featured on "Come, Dear Children" and "We'll Dress the House" by Alfred Burt, "Carol of the Bells" arranged by Peter Wilhousky and the traditional carol "Silent Night" arranged by Allen.
NSU's Rockettes are choreographed by Hussey and will be featured on "Winter Wonderland" by Felix Bernard. Ken Green will conduct the NSU Concert Percussion Ensemble on "Pan by Storm" by Ken Philmore and arranged by Green.
Meghan Shea will narrate "One Solitary Life."
The NSU Harp Ensemble is directed by Shirley Jennings. Don Whittaker directs the "Class Act" carolers. Reese is the Gala "Little Dragons'" choreographer. The Hip Hop dancers are choreographed by Kim McCray. Pia Wyatt is the choreographer of the Jazz Dancers.