A Second Shepards’ Pageant is showing Nov. 14 and 15 at 7 p.m. in the Davis Hall Little Theater. Both shows are free for students, with general admission open to the public by donation. This comedy follows three shepherds through their struggles leading up to the revelation of the birth of Christ, where the shepherds’ struggles are resolved.
“Once Jesus [is] born, all of this mess was solved, and all of these problems were fixed, and these people aren’t the people they were before… The more ridiculous and nonsensical and stupid and bad the people are in the beginning of the play, the more touching… the miracle of Christ’s birth [is],” said Katie Davis, Professor of Theatre Arts and Coordinator of the Theatre Arts Program.
The show is adapted by Director Katie Davis from 15th century poetry written by an anonymous author called Wakefield Master. Whereas actors in a 15th century pageant would recite these poems, Davis’s 21st century version has been transformed into an interactive improv show. Although this show is only one act, it has characteristics of a 15th century pageant with dance choreographed by Emily Godwin, Head Drover Dancers Coach and Executive Director of the Davis-Waldorf Performing Arts Series, and music performed by the USAO Choir. Daniel Pool, Librarian and Emerging Technology Specialist, is also creating the puppets used in the show. Apart from instructor directions, all other aspects of the show are made by the student actors, theatre students, and work study students, as well as two interns from Chickasha High School.
“[There’s] a lot of collaboration between the music department, the Makerspace, the dance program, all of these together to make this go on,” Davis said.
In connection with medieval theater, this show implicates plateaus (temporary platforms) and pageant wagons (plateaus that can be wheeled on and off stage). These elements allow the crew to change the setting entirely and quickly. All furniture pieces are constructed from pallet woodin the theatre department’s shop with the intention of looking handmade. The stage has also been temporarily extended to allow for audience interaction.
Davis began adapting the script for this show back in May, as well as brainstorming designs and collaborations. During this past summer semester, Davis taught an improv class where students developed the improv skills necessary for this production. Auditions were held during the first week of the fall semester, with physical work beginning the second Monday.
“It feels like a very long time for us. Not quite as far as the medieval period, but almost thatlong,” said Davis.
“There’s music, there’s dancing, there’s comedy, there’s puppets, there’s a little bit of something for everybody. It is age appropriate for everyone, although the medieval period liked poop jokes, so there’s that,” said Davis.
Jessiekah Cook is a third-year Creative Writing major at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
