Drury University is home to a vast student body that is intriguing, ambitious, individualistic and a delight to know. To showcase these varying personalities, the Mirror has created Panther Profiles, an outlet to showcase those within the campus and to share their memories and experiences at Drury University.

In this edition of Panther Profiles, the Mirror is focusing on the stars behind the scenes of Drury’s Theatre Department, who are preparing to showcase a production by Jenny Schwartz titled “God’s Ear,” stage manager Madelyn Baum and sound designer and composer Carter Williams. These two individuals are ecstatic about their show and shared some creative ideas they have been working on this semester.

Arts Administration and Theatre double major and minor in graphic design, Madelyn Baum is the stage manager for the production. Baum read “God’s Ear” in her play analysis course last fall semester and instantly fell in love with the show. In an interview, Baum expanded her thoughts on the production.

“The show explores the trauma and grievances that a family undergoes after losing their son in a drowning incident. While the story itself isn’t necessarily following circumstances that everyone has gone through- the grief and trauma cycles it explores are very relatable. The way that the playwright expresses these things is so unique yet so accurate. Watching Haddy’s, our director’s, take on the play and bringing it all to life through our cast and crew has been very beautiful to watch and I’ve really enjoyed it.”

Madelyn Baum

Another influential member of the crew for “God’s Ear” is the lead sound designer and composer Carter Williams. Williams is pursuing computer science and theater, as well as music during his time at Drury University. Williams, who has two positions for the show, is assisted by fellow crew member Adrienne Kremer. Sound design is in charge of selecting, compiling and adjusting all the sounds within the play.

As the composer, Williams describes his tasks stating, “As a composer, I am in charge of making music to accompany lyrics that are meant to be sung in the script. “God’s Ear” is a very wacky show so the lyrics for each song are wildly different. One song is about getting ghosted by a guy met at the airport while another song lists out the various things you can’t sell on eBay. They serve more as little vignettes for each character rather than a typical musical song that advances or expounds upon the current plot.”

Each of these individuals as well as the other members of the cast and crew are ecstatic to showcase this production to the staff and students of Drury University. They all have been working tirelessly on this show for their audience.

Director of the production, Haddy Kreie, was also reached out to, however with the theatre team hard at work with opening night approaching, she was unable to respond.

The production of “God’s Ear” runs from April 14-17. All shows are at 7:30 p.m, with the exception of one matinee performance on April 17 at 2 p.m. The show will be in the Wilhoit Theatre within the Breech School of Business building. The box office is also located there, where tickets are available for purchase. The box office is open from 1-5 p.m., Monday-Friday to purchase tickets. Tickets are also available for purchase by calling the box office at (417)-873-7255. Student tickets are only $3.

Article by Gabriella Wuller