The
eorgetonian G
November 12, 2014 Volume CXXXIV Issue 9
Lyric Theatre Society performs final show LTS performed the original script “Finding Pennies” written by Dr. Hunnicutt
By HANNAH KRIEGER Editor-in-Chief On Nov. 7 and 8, the Lyric Theatre Society gave their final performance with the show “Finding Pennies.” The music was originally composed by Amy Cheney Beach. Dr. Heather Winter Hunnicutt then arranged the music and wrote lyrics for it while Dr. H.M. Lewis took the music and turned it into an orchestra performance instead of just a piano performance. The script for this performance was written by Hunnicutt. The performance centered on the lives of six friends who are about to graduate college and face the real world; however, before they graduate, they agree to meet up on the same day every year to catch up. To find out more about the performance itself, be sure to check out the review on page eight. One of the reasons why this performance was so poignant and carried such a strong message could have been because Hunnicutt wrote this script (along with “Clara, My Love,” 2012 and “The Pirates of Pinafore,” 2014), with the current group of singers/actors in
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mind. Hunnibeing sensitive cutt said, “There and no weakness is such wonderin loving unconful repertoire ditionally. She out there in the taught me that it operatic world, is okay to let go of but it is often things that make not right for a you question particular group your own selfof undergraduworth. And lastly, ate students for a relationship Source: Heather Winter Hunnicutt a variety of readoes not define The cast of “Finding Pennies” pose for a group photo. sons, including a woman. She the grouping really challenged of people in the cast. Because guest appearances of alumni me, and I’m really happy to I have always wanted LTS to who once participated in LTS. have played her.” be an inclusive group and not Hunnicutt said she wanted to Senior Nikita Taggart an exclusive group, I cast in a “write something real and rel- said her character “made her way that I can include every- evant” with the intent of deliv- learn she doesn’t need to have one who wants to learn and be ering a message about the real everything figured out right a part of it, not just those who world, concerning careers and now.” have the most experience/ just life itself. Before a show can be pertalent or the best audition.” What is most unique formed, a copious amount of Hunnicutt said that she didn’t about the script is that every hard work is put in that the ever develop writer’s block single member of the audience audience does not always see. for this script; instead she was walked away with a differ- The leads for this show have challenged by “reigning it in” ent message that they learned been rehearsing since the and editing down her work. from the story. Even members second day of class. Hunnicutt When asked what inspired of the cast were able to learn commented on the combinaHunnicutt to write the script important lessons. Senior Julia tion of Amy Beach/Heather that she did, she responded Rankin (who played Emma—a Winter Hunnicutt/H.M. by saying that the group of bride hopelessly in love with Lewis music as not easy with students who were interested a man) said, “[at] first I rolled its “tricky rhythms, challeng(mainly a group of women my eyes at her, but I could ing harmonies, wide ranges and LTS alumni) helped influ- relate to her so much, it was [and] difficult phrasing.” She ence the direction of the script. terrifying. And over the course claimed that graduate students The script focused on the lives of the show, Emma has taught would have their work cut out of six women and included me that there is strength in for them, and yet her “brave
undergraduates did a wonderful job and handled it like pros.” Also, LTS does not have their own designated space, so they had to overcome the challenge of building their set. They had everything as ready as they could in advance, and then the weekend before the show, they were allowed to move to the chapel and assemble everything in a “whirlwind,” said Hunnicutt. Senior Sarah Cox commented that her favorite part of the performance “is getting the first scene I’m in over with ‘cause once I take the first step out onstage, the nervousness I have before the show goes away, and it’s all about just having fun and performing. Also, my character is the crazy and funny one of the bunch, so once I get the first laugh from an audience, the nerves go away.” When asked about what her favorite part of an LTS performance is, Hunnicutt said, “seeing something that was once nothing more than a spark of an idea in my mind come completely to fruition
SGA moves to new office in the Grille page 2
STEMM Fellows on campus page 6
“Teach Talent” exhibit encourages creativity page 3
UK versus Georgetown game page 4
LTS, pg. 2