By Jared Fields, Managing Editor
Two years after the rejection of “Aida” as the Homecoming musical, the Theatre Department is giving the musical a second chance.
Adam Hester, chair of the Theatre Department, said he feels this year is the best opportunity to finally put on the production.
“The original reason that we chose to do it, is that it’s an exciting piece of musical theatre, and it’s one that hasn’t been done by ACU theatre or this area previously,” Hester said.
He said issues regarding casting were where the real concern with the role of Aida arose.
The play was chosen two years ago but was changed after complaints of having a white woman play the role of a Nubian princess.
“I made the decision that it would be better to show some sensitivity and try to do more of a reconciliation with members of the community who were concerned about that rather than moving forward with the production,” Hester said.
Hester said he believes people now can play the part the way he wants to direct it and fit the role.
“We’ve had some female actresses who’ve come up and been trained who really are very capable of playing that role,” Hester said. “It felt like a great time to kind of bring this to a real resolution and to give us some opportunities to reach out and extend that privilege to be able to finish some of that.”
Auditions take place in three stages, Hester said. First is a general singing audition, then a general dancing audition.
In each audition the men and women are given a song or dance to perform. Tuesday night, the third tier of auditions takes place: callbacks.
“We’ll start out with the vocal audition where they’ve been called back for particular roles, and they’ll also do some reading from the play,” Hester said.
Three women have been called back for the part of Aida: Michelle Alexander, Jasmin Richardson and Anna Peters. All three are African- Americans, and all three are sophomores. But only one, Peters, is a non-theatre major.
“She has a phenomenal singing voice,” Hester said of Peters. “She really earned a callback based on her general audition.”
Peters said getting the role would mean a lot to her if she were to get it.
“It’s a powerful story,” Peters said. “To be a part of that is amazing.”
As for Alexander and Richardson, Hester said the two majors are well prepared for the role.
“They’re theatre majors, and they’ve gone through the theatre classes,” Hester said. “It’s really great to have some women who are both capable of doing it and who are going through our program as well.”
Hester will have most of the auditions finished Tuesday night, but will not be complete until the end of finals week.
Rebecca Wheeler, sophomore theatre major from Perkasie, Penn., is studying abroad in Montevideo, Uruguay, and will officially audition for two hours after getting back in Abilene. She is calling Hester on Wednesday to sing over the phone.
Hester said he didn’t want anyone to feel left out because they were in study abroad.
The final selections will be made soon after finals. However, planning for the show is already underway.
Sandy Freeman, associate professor of theatre and the costume designer for “Aida,” said she has begun research and planning for the costumes.
“It’s a love story much more than it’s a historical story,” Freeman said. “It’s more of a larger-than-life story although based in the area of the Nile. But then there is a theatrical style that adds to the interest.”
No matter what elements add to the audience’s interest in the play, Hester said “Aida” is a great musical that the community will enjoy.
“Plus being able to do the production, it’s just a great show for us to get to do, and it will highlight our students,” Hester said. “It’s a well done, put together musical.”
