MAGNOLIA, Ark. — Southern Arkansas University’s homecoming may be more than a week away, preparations are already full-steam-ahead for the celebration.
Each day members of the 40 or so member cast of the Broadway inspired dinner theatre prepare for the show, which will be presented at 6 p.m. on October 19 in the Grand Hall of the Donald W. Reynolds Campus and Community Center. The dinner, which includes enticing entrée items such as filet mignon and twice baked potatoes, is designed to honor those being named as SAU distinguished alumni.
The bulk of the cast are members of the 30-strong Southern Arkansas University cheerleading squads, so they are already comfortable being directed by co-captains, Joni Bridges, a senior majoring in early childhood education of Magnolia, and Frank Byers, a senior majoring in general studies of Waldo.
Both Bridges and Byers are helping direct the cast in this production. Byers said he is already noticing some growth in performances from the cast, most of whom do not have a theatrical background.
“People are really getting out of their comfort zones with this,” Byers said.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the SAU Welcome Center was abuzz with activity as cast members were up to their elbows in paint and foam board, creating pieces of six sets which will be used during performances of “Beauty and the Beast” and “The Lion King.” The cast will also perform to songs from “Mary Poppins” and “Pocahontas.”
But, just as the current students are working on making the 2007 Homecoming as special as possible, students of the past are also looking forward to participating in many of the events. Earlier this week, cheerleaders also reunited at the SAU Welcome Center to reminisce about their experiences on the squad. Reba Jennings, of Magnolia, a cheerleader in 1980 and 1981, said a lot has changed since she cheered, including the more demanding performance abilities required of the women and men now on the cheerleading team.
“Our only requirement was to be able to do a cartwheel and the splits, and we thought that was something” Jennings said. “We also did not do pushups when there was a touchdown. We were too busy adjusting our skirts,” she said, laughing.
Another change over the years has been the addition of a cheerleading sponsor, a position now held by Ceil Bridges, who is also the director of Alumni Relations. During the days of Jennings and Donna Boyd, of Magnolia, a cheerleader from 1979 to 1982, Donna Walthall of Magnolia who cheered from 1975 to 1978, and Vivian Carr, of Lewisville, who cheered from 1975 to 1977, cheerleading competitions and the like were traveled alone. This created some pretty vivid memories when the ladies ran into anything unexpected, including car trouble. On a trip to Dallas one year when the ladies had a flat, the squad took matters into their own hands.
“We made a pyramid on the side of the road to get the attention of someone to stop and help us,” Boyd said.
The scheme worked and the ladies made their competition even without a sponsor.
These kind of stories are certain to resurface during Mulegating which begins at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 20 and lasts until the football game kickoff at 2:30 p.m. at Wilkins Stadium. Other reunions to take place during this time include members of the 1972 All-Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference football team, past members of the volleyball Riderettes and former homecoming queens.
For more information about any activities related to Homecoming or to purchase $15 tickets for the dinner theatre on October 19, please call the Alumni Office at 235-4079.
