A look at ONU Theatre and its community…
WHY ONU THEATRE?
ONU THEATRE IS…
ONU Theatre is the theatre department at Olivet Nazarene University that primarily meets inside of the theatre at the Sims building. While you can major in Theatre Production and Performance, you are not required to do so in order to participate in the many shows it performs a semester. I myself fall under this category, as a film studies major that has performed in the theatre department for the last three semesters. A student can do anything from just acting, to becoming a props/costume director working both on and off the stage in a capacity that suits them. ONU Theater typically hosts three to four shows a semester, giving students plenty of opportunities to get involved.
COMMUNITY
During my time at ONU theatre, one thing I came to realize is that the department is all about community, and there is such a strong sense of it the moment you first open the doors.
Sarah Breinig, a second-year senior who came into theatre as a sophomore said, ” When Christ is the focus, relationships grow deeper. That is what makes ONU Theatre and its community so special. Yes, there are talented people, but the most important part is the heart we have for Jesus.”
Breinig has quickly become one of the student leaders in the department, taking on roles such as stage manager and soon-to-be director of the upcoming play Antigone. The community at ONU theatre always tries to put God first in everything they do, dedicating time before each rehearsal and show to pray.
A MEMORABLE TIME
ONU Theatre is full of unforgettable experiences, Sophomore Jacqueline Heavner had one very memorable experience during The Hiding Place, a show set during WWII. Professor Ashley Sarver brought the entire cast to the Holocaust Museum in Chicago to let them learn about what they were going to portray.
“It was a really memorable experience because it was the first time that I got a chance to really get to know the cast on a more personal level,” Heavner said.
Bryan Diekan, a senior at ONU and assistant director to the most recent show Christmas Carol said his most memorable experience at ONU Theatre was also during The Hiding place, but it was after the show, where the cast of the show had the unique experience of doing “talkbacks,” an event after the show where audience members get to talk and ask questions to the cast of the show.
“Getting the experience of an audience member who had not lived with the show as long as we have was really eye opening to the differences between the experience of the audience and the actors,” Dieken said as he reflected on his time at the show, “I got asked how my character impacted the story, and it caused me to consider how the stories could impact me and impact how I should portray the character”.
FINAL THOUGHTS
ONU Theatre provides a wealth of opportunities and experiences for anybody willing to come and participate. Abriella Caravette, a Graduate Assistant who has been heavily involved in ONU Theatre and been by Sarver’s side for some time has a message for any Freshman who may be interested in becoming part of the community,
“Do it! It is such a fun atmosphere, and we are such a tight-knit family always ready to adopt more members! We just want to get to know you and find where you best fit in the program,” Caravette said.
ONU Theatre provides a wealth of opportunities both on and off stage depending on how involved you want to be and is a very welcoming community to those who want to be involved.
Heavner gave some final words for any freshman considering ONU Theatre, “Be reliable, be prepared for anything. Cherish your time here, it goes by so quickly.”
If Theatre still doesn’t seem like your thing, there are still plenty of ways to get involved at ONU, like choosing intervarsities!