Newcomers debut their faces and talent in Fresh Faces

Huntington, Ind. "It doesn't take long for new students to get involved with the various opportunities offered at Huntington College. Compared with other schools its size, Huntington College has a uniquely strong Theatre Arts department, and on Thursday, Sept. 27, new students will debut their talent in Fresh Faces. The annual performance allows new students to showcase their talent in an informal evening of scenes, monologues and show tunes. The event will be held at the Merillat Centre for the Arts at 8 p.m. No ticket is required.

Fresh Faces' director, Matt Webb (HC '98 graduate), has been working with almost 40 members of this year's freshman class and a total of 62 students scheduled in the performances. The performance structure is set up so that freshmen are matched with an upperclassman mentor who helps them put together scenes, songs and monologues from a variety of classic and modern plays and musicals.

Fresh Faces is a chance for incoming freshmen to be showcased on the HC main stage, said Webb. It also gives the Huntington community an opportunity to see the up-coming HC theatre talent in a free production for the public.

Some of the performances showcased Thursday will include scenes from Fiddler on the Roof, Annie Get Your Gun, My Fair Lady, Jekyll and Hyde, Crimes of the Heart, and more.

John Woody Woodruff, a junior Theatre-Performance major from Brookville, Ohio, will be the evening's host. The night's schedule includes four vocal pieces, four comedy scenes, four dramatic scenes, and three monologues.

In the vocal scenes, Jessica Abbott brings newcomers Erica Lewis and Krissy Zillmer to the stage singing In His Eyes from Jekyll and Hyde. Leah Coon leads Noah Varness and Leah May Vibbert in Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better from Annie Get Your Gun. From Fiddler on the Roof, Sarah Stanek introduces Joni Michaud, Amanda Wagner and Andrea Webb singing Matchmaker. Kati Hultman brings Lori Merkle to the stage to sing Without You from My Fair Lady.

Katie Piehl and Liam Smith introduce Zachary Luginbill, Erica Nazarenus and Leslie Deter in a comedy scene from Blithe Spirit. Todd DeKruyter and Amanda Zirkle lead Bryan Tolle, Katie Jones and Renee Schelter in Three Wishes from Story Theatre. In Clever Elsie from Story Theatre, Jon Bordeaux and Jake Sikora bring Spencer Owen, Drew Wutke, Andy Miller, Lynette Lambert and Latisha Ritter to the stage. Katie Harner and Ashley Fox team up to introduce Dan Olson, Lisa Collar and Holly Keiper in A Defenseless Creature from The Good Doctor.

In the dramatic scenes, Phil Salazar leads Drew Wutke and Jerry Becker in Outsiders. Evie White brings Amy Cuthbert and Jennifer Longhurst to the stage in Third and Oak: The Laundromat. From Stars and Stripes, Eva Swan introduces Noah Mazaika and Erin Bean. Finally, Linda Barnum leads Sarah Hickman, Mindy Spangler and Jenni Strange in Crimes of the Heart.

Tai Mauney will introduce Bridget Earles in a monologue from A My Name is Alice. Scott Grinstead brings Josh Scott to the stage in a monologue from Eat Your Heart Out. And Elizabeth Swart leads Kendra Brenneman in a monologue.

Under upperclassmen mentors Lindsey Van Gelder, Paco Michelson and Troy Lazarus, Kathy Thorn, Sarah Prater, Lisa Forrer, Megan McFadden and Sarah Harper will learn the duties of behind-the-scene work including stage management, props, and costumes.

The Theatre Arts Department at Huntington College offers a broad-based major designed to provide a foundation for careers in theatre and related fields of graduate study. The program is based in a strong liberal arts tradition. Students combine classroom study, studio work and production experience to gain a balanced education.

Huntington College is a Christian college of the liberal arts, offering graduate and undergraduate degrees in nearly 50 academic concentrations.