Parables in the modern day ‘Godspell’

Chapman Shields, a senior in theatre and the scenic designer, said this musical is interesting because almost every other story created names a location. Not “Godspell.”

Stephanie Landaverde Staff Reporter

For Eric Frei, assistant professor of professional music and music director of “Godspell,” picking a favorite song from the musical is like picking a favorite child.

“Godspell,” a musical about the parables and teachings of Jesus, debuts Thursday evening at Vivia Locke Theatre in the Seretean Center. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28 and April 29 as well as a 2 p.m. show on April 30. Tickets can be purchased online, via phone or at the door and will cost $12 for the general public; $8 for seniors and $7 for students.

Butterflies...

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In May 2022, OSU’s Oklahoma Native Plant Corridor became a certified Monarch Waystation. Waystations are sites that provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration. As of February, there were more than 42,000 habitats registered with Monarch Watch, a nonprofit dedicated to helping grow the number of butterflies.

Not every place can become certified, which requires six categories of criteria to be a fit: size, sun and moisture exposure, shelter, milkweed plants, nectar plants and management plans. The OSU Facilities Management website was integral in getting the university certified.

The Oklahoma Native Plant Corridor was established in 2016 and Phase Two was completed in 2018. A biodiversity garden is being installed south of Physical Sciences South and is planned to be completed before spring graduation.

Phase One is undergoing some remodeling as Engineering South sees similar adjustments.

A Student Government Association Sustainability

Green Student Initiative

Grant funded both phases and students installed the second.

While the list of plants in Phase One is changing, Phase Two is home to many plants that are right not only for monarchs but other insects. The Biodiversity Garden will feature plants native to Oklahoma, along with a butterfly topiary.

“It has no setting, no time, no place,” Shields said. “I work closely with the director, and we worked together to figure out what setting could best help us tell the story here.”

OSU’s version of “Godspell” is set in modern day downtown New York City, where a diverse group of people come together, find an old abandoned orphanage, revitalize and restore it to its former glory, Shields said.

The show will feature students singing, dancing and acting simultaneously along with a live student orchestra. Jason Estala, assistant professor of costume design and the costume designer, said it’s surprising people don’t know it takes a large backstage crew to pull off any show.

“When you look at all the dif-

The Plant Corridor is not the only place on campus that is vital for monarchs. Old Central Garden houses Prairie Zinnia, a species of flower that is an important late-season nectar source.

OSU could be vital to the population of the monarch, which is considered endangered.

The population has declined 85% in the past two decades, putting the monarch on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List as endangered. There are many factors for the decline, including pollution and habitat destruction.

As fields are destroyed, often for building projects, many native plants vital to monarchs are being wiped out. In addition, pollution has killed species of plants that offer nectar.

There are efforts to help rebuild the monarch population, including OSU’s waystations. Citizens can help too, with the easiest way involving the planting of flowers and milkweed.

There are 26 types of milkweeds native to Oklahoma, four of which are still in bloom during the migration. Many flowers that are attractive to monarchs also attract hummingbirds.

Other than their beauty, monarchs are important pollinators. Without them, many flowers and foods would not have migrated. Monarch butterflies are also a food source for birds, other insects and small animals.

“Something as simple as planting a few species of flowers is something anyone can do,” said Zoe Boatright, a former college student. “Monarchs are just as important as every other insect and animal.” ferent elements: costuming, scenic lighting, music, choreography, the acting, the directing, the management, the stage managers, it all has to come together,” Estala said. “There are twice as many people backstage as there are onstage to make the show happen.”

There are only two named roles: Thess Holloway, playing Judas/ John the Baptist, and Dakota Norman, playing Jesus. The rest of the cast plays themselves; there is significant room for ad-libbing. The actors can decide how they would react to the situations as themselves.

“I’m excited about getting to be myself on stage,” said Abbey Steelhammer, an animal science freshman. “Most of the time you’re playing a character and you have to be the character, but in this situation, I get to be myself. I get to determine my own journey.”

Steelhammer said everyone, regardless of major, can find a place in theatre.

“If you’re thinking about being in theatre, you don’t have to be a theatre major,” Steelhammer said. “You can just put yourself out there. And if you do put yourself out there, you get this awesome family that you get to be a part of forever.”

Devon Hunt, assistant professor of theatre and the director of “Godspell,” said this musical has universal concepts everyone can resonate with regardless of religious background, such as community, caring for and loving one another.

“It presents a learning opportunity for the students, and it gives the community a chance to engage with different stories,” Hunt said. “ I think that’s really powerful. Kind of where we are in the world, it’s so easy to put people in boxes and label them as ‘other.’ I think one of the biggest and most important things of theatre is that it reminds us of the humanity of people who are different than we are.” news.ed@ocolly.com

Firing up for summer at Smokin’ Joes

2012, and he quickly fell in love with the town. Wanting to contribute to the community in someway, Stedman brought a new attraction to Stillwater.

Jaycee Hampton Staff Reporter

Smokin’ Joes’ Stilly and The Pit Volleybar is a barbecue restaurant and sand volleyball court, certain to satisfy students’ hunger and boredom.

Ethan Stedman, co-owner of Smokin’ Joes, has a lot of pride when it comes to the restaurant. Stedman opened for business in 2021 with his father, Scott, and since, Smokin’ Joes has grown into one of the coolest restaurants in Stillwater. As of February 2023, Stedman and his business partner, Edgar Rodriguez, have taken ownership. Stedman earned an engineering degree at OSU in

“I think my favorite part about working here is just the pride that I get from seeing people enjoying the food and having a good time,” Stedman said. “Just the bar and the volleyball pits as a whole are unique. It gives me a sense of accomplishment seeing people enjoy our products.”

Open five days a week, Smokin’ Joes offers a menu with barbecue, cold beer and good vibes. Whether people are looking for a chill night with friends or fun competition with family, Smokin’ Joes offers an environment that is enjoyable for all.

“It’s $250 for an eight week league, per team,” Stedman said. “You can have as many on your team as you want, but play with six at a time. We have two leagues, competitive and non-competitive. Competitively there are some really good teams, non-competitive is just people coming out to play and have a good time.”

Players can call the store and have an employee sign you up, or visit https://smokinjoesstilly.com/ to register for a league. There is a spring, summer and fall league, and it is growing in size each year. Specific time slots are also available to reserve online or customers can wait until a court is unoccupied.

“Don’t be dissuaded by our prices,” Stedman said. “I know they may seem high, but when you get your plate, you’re gonna realize there’s more food on there than you can probably put away. So you definitely get your bang for your buck out here. It’s not it’s not super expensive for the price and the amount of food you get.”