This week, the Southern Nazarene University School of Music will be putting on a student-led production, guided by Professor Audra Faust, of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
The musical, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, is a musical based on the Victor Hugo novel and will include songs from the Disney film written by Alan Menken. The students and Professor Faust have been rehearsing since August for this production. The audience should expect to hear Disney-like music, such as famous tunes like, “God Help the Outcasts” and “Out There.”
Professor Ambrosini, a professor in the SNU School of Music, speaks on the plot of the musical, “It is a dark, powerful story about finding acceptance and spiritual guidance in a sometimes judgmental world.”
The cast includes sixteen students from SNU. The set and props were designed and built by students and professors involved in the musical. Cast member, Riley Stark, designed and painted a beautiful stained glass window that is the focal point of the set.
Ryleigh Rushing, who will be playing Esmeralda in the production, is excited about the upcoming production. “Together we’ve put on something really massive and really beautiful as students, completely by ourselves, which is really special to me.”
She also spoke on her and the cast’s preparation for the musical, “We’ve been rehearsing and building this show together since the first week of school in August. I watched several versions of the show first, to understand how people tell this story and the characterization. I practice a lot of the music on my own, and I use Quizlet to learn my lines.”
These dedicated individuals have poured their hearts and souls into rehearsals and the construction of this remarkable show. As the opening night approaches, the excitement and anticipation of the public seeing the finished product of all the work these students and professors have put into this production is evident. The dedication and creativity of these students, combined with the timeless magic of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, is going to bring a breathtaking theatrical experience.
Rushing also hopes that those who watch the production can see all the hard work and time that they put into creating this production, saying, “I’m really excited about this show because the music is spectacular, and because we’ve worked so hard to plan and direct so much of it ourselves.” She hopes that with the connection that she and her castmates have created with the story, those who are watching will also be able to connect with the story.
The production is taking place on the SNU campus at the Cantrell Music Hall at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 9, and Friday, November 10. Tickets can be purchased at http://snu.booktix.com/, and student tickets are only $5. Come and support the students and staff who have put much time and effort into this production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Photo by SNU School of Music