By Tim Smith
We traveled over to the new performing arts center at East Central University last Friday to enjoy a former Pauls Valley student, Derek Reed, featured in supporting roles in the musical classic, “A Little Night Music.”
It was an evening filled with a number of celebrations if you will, and the best of all was enjoying a young person from home being involved in his college theatrical production debut in a state of the art facility. The new Hallie Ford Fine Arts Center complex rivals anything I have seen on any campus.
First, and most important, I was so proud of Derek as he stepped up and performed in this most challenging of musical works.
It is ‘nervous time’ watching someone you know and have worked with on a new stage, as it were, it just goes with theatrical territory. You want them to hit a performance ‘home run’ every time.
As I watched him enjoying every minute, it was as though he had been there many times before, so the nerves quickly dissipated. He was well prepared going in, having generated an impressive performance credential while attending Pauls Valley High School and the New Stages and Art Works Academy programs.
These collective experiences resonated as he seemed totally comfortable interacting with upperclassman, many in the final stages of their collegiate work. Well done, and stay the course.
Kudos to ECU leadership and their melding of a major private donation and public bond packages that made this venue a reality we can all enjoy. And I am not just talking about the theatre (it has two stages, the smaller is what is called a ‘Black Box’ and is used for smaller scale productions) and its supporting scenic design and execution space.
The complex also houses the university’s communications, music, performing arts and mass communication centers. The building is not just utilitarian; there are times when you would think that you were ensconced in a major gallery or museum. The use of wood as a decorative statement is stunning to behold.
For those of you who attended ECU, (especially if you have not visited the campus recently): It is rather interesting to see the road that historically led you right onto the campus parking slots is now permanently closed and lying out before you is a wonderful plaza setting.
And finally, one more word to the wise: the detour to Ada is easy, during daylight hours, but watch out for nightfall. We missed the small (barely visible is more like it) detour sign and it took us much longer to get home. Still not sure how we ended up in Lexington.
Congrats to Nick and Nicci Waters for their appearance on the CBS Morning Show. They were recognized for the “30 Chick Flicks in 30 Days” web/blog project.
Stay tuned for news on the upcoming Pauls Valley Arts Council’s Valley Idol auditions and performance and remember, the 2010 Oscars are telecast on Sunday, March 7th. Art Works Academy in Norman will present the Gershwin musical, “Crazy For You” this June.
Ada is welcomed as our town too.
TAS
