Spring 2020 Department of Theatre News

Semester Highlights

The 2nd Annual 24 Hour Film Festival was held the weekend before Thanksgiving at the HPU Theatre. Drawing participants from the HPU campus and local high schools, this year’s film festival was a great success. 

Four groups competed for prizes in categories such as Best Directing, Best Cinematography, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Editing, etc. According to festival rules, the films were required to have been made between 7:00pm on Friday night and 7:00pm on Saturday night. The festival was a great opportunity for HPU students to showcase their film talents and a wonderful opportunity for prospective students to get to know the HPU family.

Scene from "Two Bad Mice"

Two Bad Mice, written and directed by Dr. Nicholas Ewen (’02) and co-directed by Deejay Moses (senior Theatre Major) was performed in November of 2019. Based on the delightful story by Beatrix Potter, the story is about two misbehaving mice, Tom Thumb and Hunca Munca, who discover and ransack a young girl’s dollhouse. 

The production is a collaboration between the Brownwood Lyric Theatre and Alpha Psi Omega (HPU’s Theatre fraternity). Performed at the Lyric Theatre for more than 2,500 school children and teachers from school districts in and around Brown County, Two Bad Mice was a hit with young and old audiences alike. 

Dr. Ewen, Josh Helms and Tyler Curton

Just before the start of classes in January, the theatre department held our 2^nd annual Servant Artist Program Retreat at Heart of Texas Baptist Encampment.  The retreat began on Friday, January 10^th and ended on Sunday morning, January 12^th as the participants departed the retreat to attend worship with their local church families.  

This year, we were excited and proud to have three amazing HPU Theatre alumni attend the retreat.  Cassia Rose (’18), Josh Helms (’12), and Tyler Cureton (’10) all came to share their personal testimonies of faith.  As they shared their experiences, students remarked how encouraging it was to hear from actual HPU graduates whose careers in theatre are a reflection of how God inspires and uses our creativity and service to reveal His designs.

The 11^th Annual 24 Hour Theatre Festival took place on January 17^th and 18^th with one of the largest turn-outs for participation ever!  Beginning at 7:00pm on Friday night, our playwrights, directors and actors began created three brand new plays for performance on Saturday at 7:00pm.  

We had several prospective high school participants join us for the festival and many HPU students from all over campus who also joined in the fun.  In the last decade, the 24 Hour Theatre Festival has been one of our campus’ most beloved theatrical events, and the 2020 festival proved that the sentiment is not unfounded!

Upcoming Events

Feb 28 - Mar 1   She Stoops to Conquer by Oliver Goldsmith

Mar 2                 She Stoops to Conquer - CUTF performance at HSU

Apr 24-26           Student Directed One Act Plays

She Stoops to Conquer Tickets

For more information about HPU's theatre program, contact Dr. Nicholas Ewen at newen@hputx.edu.

Howard Payne University Theatre

Fall 2019 Department of Theatre News

Student News

Members of Howard Payne University’s Department of Theatre and university alumni recently traveled to Scotland to perform an original drama titled “Mouthpiece” at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (EFF).

Dr. Nicholas Ewen and HPU Theatre students in Scotland.

“What I was really excited about and proud to see was our students not just positively representing Howard Payne University, but also God’s kingdom,” said Dr. Nicholas Ewen ’02, assistant professor of theatre at HPU. “I heard from many people, students and directors who talked about how awesome our students are.”

“Mouthpiece,” written by Dr. Ewen, is about a senator who, after an accident, prompts those around him to consider the power of God’s Word. The play has an unmistakably Christian worldview and represented an opportunity for the group to do more than perform.

“We were not there just to have a great experience and perform a play,” said Dr. Ewen. “We were there to share what we believe and that was awesome to be able to do that.”

HPU’s contingent was invited to perform at the festival by the International Collegiate Theatre Festival (ICTF). The ICTF invites institutions to perform at the EFF each year and helps to coordinate their performance opportunities. As part of the ICTF, representatives of HPU at the Festival Fringe lived alongside fellow performers from colleges and universities around the United States.

“Being in Scotland and recognizing that God had prepared us to be there was really rewarding,” said Deejay Moses, a student at HPU majoring in theatre. “Something that we got to do in addition to performing was ministering to other college students who don’t go to school in places like HPU, where we are so immersed in Christ and the Gospel.”

HPU students, alumni and current and former faculty who traveled to and performed in Edinburgh included Lori Arp, longtime HPU theatre contributor; Dr. Ewen; Christopher Ewen an HPU dual-credit student; Jake Bowren, a senior from New Braunfels majoring in theatre and communication studies with an emphasis in public relations and media; Sarah Heinrichs, a junior from Hico majoring in theatre arts with all-level certification; Dr. Nancy Jo Humfeld, professor emeritus of theatre; Deejay Moses, a senior from May majoring in theatre arts with all-level certification; Laurel Pinkney, a sophomore from Carrollton majoring in theatre; Cassia Rose ’18; and Isaac ’19 and Jessica Williams ’19.

“The prayer support that we had definitely made a difference,” said Dr. Ewen. “From the minute we began travelling to Scotland, I could sense we had so much support in prayer. We had so much financial help too – the community really poured out a huge blessing on us and our students to be able to go. Everything fell into place.”

The EFF is the world’s largest theatre festival and attracts upwards of 500,000 visitors each year. More than 50,000 performances are staged during the three weeks of the festival and are hosted in any available venues, including hotel lobbies, restaurants and churches. It originated with eight theatre troupes performing on the outskirts of the 1947 Edinburgh International Festival. The festival has become iconic in the world of theatre, inspiring numerous other “fringe” festivals around the world.

Article provided by Howard Payne University Office of University Marketing and Communication.

Faculty News

Nicholas Ewen ('02) stayed very busy over the summer months with the following projects. During May, he served as the Set Designer & Technical Director for Windows Home at the Brownwood Lyric Theatre.  This was the premier performance of Windows Home an original drama by Bill Foster.  Dr. Ewen also authored and directed Mouthpiece, an original Christian drama that was performed at the International Collegiate Theatre Festival as part of the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland.  Throughout the year Dr. Ewen also serve in various roles at multiple church camps in Texas.

Stay up to date on all of our news and events by following the Howard Payne University Theatre Facebook page.

Fall 2019 Department of Music News

Student News

HPU Choir members at the historic Votivkirche in Salzburg, Austria.

Members of Howard Payne University’s Concert Choir and University Singers recently performed in Austria with six other choral groups. The ensemble performed under the direction of Dr. John Dickson, director of choral studies at Louisiana State University. Dr. Dickson is familiar to HPU, having served as the featured clinician at the university’s first annual Conducting Workshop held in the spring of 2018.

Pictured: HPU alumni, faculty and staff Joy Renée Blackstock ’07; Kayla Chadwick ’19; Jessica Jones ’06; Cathryn Rasbury ’15; Danielle Rosborough ’08, database manager; Beverly Ross ’76; Natalie Stephens ’19; and Katelyn Zimmer ’19. Dr. Rosborough led the group from HPU and performed along with choir members. Also accompanying the group were six members of the HPU University Singers, Gary Butka, Angie Calfa, Ann Harris, Bill Slaymaker, Ann Slaymaker and Brent Rosborough.

Article excerpt courtesy of Howard Payne University Department of Marketing and Communications. For information about the Howard Payne University Choirs, email Dr. Christopher Rosborough.

Faculty Spotlight

Stephen Goacher, professor of music at Howard Payne University has enjoyed a busy spring semester of professional musical engagements.  In January, he joined fellow symphony musicians of the San Angelo Symphony Orchestra in a chamber music presentation at the San Angelo Cactus Hotel Ballroom for the Symphony Society Fashion Show & Fundraiser. 

Stephen Goacher, Professor of Music

In February, he joined “All Hands on Deck”, billed as America’s No.1 Patriotic Show, playing flute, clarinet and saxophone in performances in Greenville and Lubbock.  “All Hands on Deck” is based in both New York’s Broadway and Branson, Missouri. Mr. Goacher frequently serves as lead woodwind during the Touring Company’s Texas tours.  This August 23-25 he joined “All Hands on Deck” for performances in Abilene at the Paramount Theatre and Midland at the Wagner-Noel Theatre. 

March 22, Goacher returned to San Angelo where he performed jazz for the San Angelo Symphony Society in an invitation-only concert at the San Angelo Art Museum.  He joined Nashville’s top jazz duo, singer Connye Florance and her husband, pianist Kevin Madill. The ensemble formed a jazz quintet performing jazz selections from the Great American Songbook. 

March 30, Goacher performed with the Temple Jazz Orchestra at the 29^th Annual Temple Jazz Festival.  This year’s festival featured Cuban percussionist, Luis Conte.  Next, was a week of rehearsals and performances with the Abilene Opera Society in their production of “West Side Story”.  Mr. Goacher played piccolo, flute, clarinet and tenor saxophone in the April 5-6 and 7 presentations. 

On April 13, Goacher conducted the Howard Payne University Jazz Ensemble in a morning performance at the Fifth Annual Eastland Jazz Festival in Eastland TX.  Later that same day, he performed in an evening concert with the Temple Jazz Orchestra in Georgetown, TX at the Eastview Jazz Festival. 

September 7, Goacher will join Nashville-based Songwriter Cynthia Jordan for a program of jazz for the San Angelo Cultural Affairs Council at the Cactus Hotel in San Angelo. 

Goacher will be presenting a Faculty Jazz Recital November 14 in Mims Auditorium with guest Temple College faculty; Dr. Ben Irom, piano, Dr. Tarik Hassan, bass and Norman Bergeron, drums.

Faculty News

Gregory Church, professor of music assumed the role of Artistic Director for this year's HPU Homecoming production of Little Women and Joseph Dunlap ('09) will serve as the rehearsal accompanist and pianist for the performances.

Frank Nelson ('77), assistant professor of music and director of bands, recently completed professional development in both the Texas Teacher Evaluation & Support System and Field Experience Supervision.

Christopher Rosborough ('08), assistant professor of music and director of choral activities, was recently invited to serve as a clinician at the 2019 Fort Worth Small-School Choir All-State camp.The event which was held in June 2019 culminated in a performance by attendees at the Bass Performance Hall in Fort Worth.  “In attendance for this clinic were 112 students from 21 high schools. They all experienced incredible growth in musicality, vocal execution and personal depth that propelled their performance into new found heights,” he said. “It was an incredible honor to be hosted by these fantastic choral programs and one of the highlights of my year.”

Elizabeth Wallace ('71), professor of music adjudicated for the National Guild of Piano Teachers at the Spring, Texas Audition Center in May 2019.  She also co-taught with Justin Eisenhour (Winthrop University) for the Creation Motion Summer Symposium held at Junaluska, North Carolina, in July 2019.

Alumni Spotlight

Scot McPhetrige graduated from HPU in the fall of 2003.  He completed a Masters of Music in Music Education from Tarleton State University in 2016.

Scot became a part of the Springtown Independent School District band program in August of 2004.  He continues to teach there, currently serving as the Assistant High School Band Director.  He has developed the Springtown Jazz program from 15 students to 60+ students with three jazz ensembles at the high school and a Middle School Jazz Band.

While a Howard Payne student, Mr. McPhetrige was a member of the jazz band, the brass quintet, the brass choir, the marching band, the symphonic band, the concert band, and the community jazz band.

Scot and Sally McPhetrige and family.

He studied trumpet with Dr. Paul DeBoer and Dr. Robert Tucker.  He also studied composition and conducting with Dr. Robert Tucker.  Mr. McPhetrige is a member of the Association of Texas Small School Bands, International Trumpet Guild, Optimist Club International, Texas Bandmasters Association, Texas Music Adjudicators Association, Texas Music Educators Association.

Scot is married to Sally, who also earned a music education degree from Howard Payne and who teaches elementary music in the Springtown ISD.  Both Scot and Sally have been awarded excellence in teaching recognition from the Springtown Independent School District.

The McPhetriges are the proud parents of two boys.  They are active in Springtown First Baptist Church.

Stephen Cox ('10) was a clinician at the 2019 Texas Bandmasters Association Convention in San Antonio.  Stephen is Director of Bands at Eastland High School in Eastland, Texas.  This past summer  Eastland finished 3rd place in the Honor band Competition and 2nd place in the OPS Concert Category.

  
George Strickland ('73) was inducted into the Texas Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame on July 27, 2019.  George (Buddy) taught for twenty-nine years.  From 2002-2018 he was the Texas UIL Assistant Director of Music Activities.   He also served as the Association of Texas Small School Bands President-Elect, President and Past-President from 1997 to 2003.   As a clinician and adjudicator, George has judged in almost every UIL Region in Texas and in New Mexico, Colorado, Oklahoma, Indiana, and Tennessee.  George and Melinda are members of First Baptist Church, Georgetown.  

Student Spotlight

Suzanne Schad is a Senior Music Education major with a dual instrument emphasis in percussion and piano.  She came to Howard Payne University after hearing one of her high school band directors, Alumnus Mr. Trent Shipp ('12), an alumni of Howard Payne, talk about his time at Howard Payne. He always praised the music department for its intensive program and intentional professors.  At first, she was skeptical of attending a small University. She favored bigger schools like Texas Tech in Lubbock or Texas State in San Marcos. However, after much encouragement from Mr. Shipp, she gave Howard Payne a chance and she says she has never regretted her decision. HPU provided her scholarships that allowed her to pursue her dreams.  

Suzanne Schad with John Dickson and HPU Alums
 Chris and Danielle Rosborough in Salzburg, Austria.

Suzanne loves teaching and performing and she says that attending Howard Payne has given her a priceless experience that she is sure would not have happened at a larger university. She has participated in University Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band, Symphonic Band, Winds of Triumph, Concert Choir, and Community Band. Because of this university, Suzanne says she has been able to have multiple teaching opportunities in local high schools and through the Pre-College program. She has developed meaningful relationships with professors, alumni and future professional colleagues. Suzanne is entering her final few semesters at this university and says that she cannot wait to tell her future students about Howard Payne and continue the legacy.

Music Alumni News

New Alumni

Marissa Godbey Begay ('18) is currently teaching general music K-6 at Charles Warren Fairbanks in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Paige Bowers ('19) is the assistant band director for the Flatonia ISD.

Kayla Chadwick ('19) is attending Truitt Seminary to pursue a Master of Divinity with a focus on Worship Leadership. During and after her time at seminary, she hopes to serve as a music minister.
Abraham Cooper ('19) recently commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and is currently enrolled at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO pursuing a degree in medicine.  
Camila Cotter ('19) is the choral director at Big Spring ISD junior high school. She is also the assistant director for the high school choir.
Kaeli Goodgion ('19) is working on an architect portfolio so that she can pursue a Master’s degree online while she works.
Kathryn Grice ('19) is the assistant band director at Anson ISD, working with Rob Hartman.
Natalie Stephens ('19) is teaching elementary music at Big Spring ISD.
Katelyn Zimmer ('19) is teaching elementary music at Blackshear Magnet Elementary in Odessa, TX.

Birth Announcements

August 2019

Congratulations to Allen ('14) and Mercedes ('14) Andrus on the birth of their son, Emerson Dean.

Congratulations to Juan ('15) and Kristin ('15) Hernandez on the birth of their son, Atlas James.

New Program

Center for Rural and Small School Music Education

The Music Department of Howard Payne University has established and is maintaining a Center in the heart of Texas to be a guiding force behind building and supporting quality music programs in rural small schools throughout Texas by assisting teachers and learners to engage and apprehend music through instruction provided in the small and rural school context.

The Center for Rural and Small School Music Education seeks to provide assistance, support, research, professional development, and advocacy for the students and teachers in Texas rural small school music programs.

Those who are teaching in rural small schools often lack resources available to larger enrollment schools, including those in urban and suburban settings. Additionally, student experiences, especially with music and the other fine arts are decidedly limited due to the geographical isolation of many rural and small schools. Nevertheless, the students in small, rural schools deserve the opportunity for a quality music education irrespective of where they live.

It is critically important that the needs of students in these schools be addressed as more than half of Texas school districts serve less than 1,000 students. According to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, Texas has more than 2,000 campuses classified as being in rural areas. When compared nationally, Texas has more schools in rural areas than any other state, with more than 20 percent of all campuses located in rural areas.

Stay up to date on all of our news and events by following the Howard Payne University School of Music and Fine Arts Facebook page.