The campus of Emporia State was extremely busy this past week with homecoming activities, but perhaps no place was busier than the Karl C. Bruder Theatre with five sold-out performances of this year’s homecoming musical Frozen.
ESU Theatre Director Aubrey Wilson recently spoke with KVOE News to discuss the show’s run, saying it’s the first time she can recall, both as a student and faculty member, that a musical has received this level of community response. Last year’s musical, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, came to a close to a total sellout, with three of its six showings reaching capacity.
Wilson says the response over the last two years is a product of the department’s approach to putting on shows that connect with both the department’s students and faculty as well as the Emporia community at large.
Wilson also noted the turnout was very rewarding as this was, hands down, one of, if not the most technically challenging shows they have ever attempted.
Looking ahead, Wilson says the recent productions are helping the university establish a reputation for putting on a “high level of theatrical excellence,” and future productions will be held to that standard. Speaking of the future, there was no rest for the wicked as just a day after Frozen ended its run, Wilson says department members were already beginning discussions for next year’s homecoming musical.
KVOE News asked if Wilson could elaborate on those discussions:
Despite not being able to reveal any details, Wilson says whatever is eventually chosen, it will be held to the same aforementioned standards as prior productions. She says maintaining this standard is not only important for the current students, but also those who may join the department in the future.
The ESU Theatre season will continue with the department’s next offering, Below the Belt, scheduled for November 12-15th inside the Ronald Q. Frederickson Theatre. For more information, visit Emporia.edu/visual-and-performing-arts.
