Texas A&M University-Texarkana Counseling Services hosted an event to reduce stress amongst the lives of students and faculty on campus. As we all know, college can be a really tough time for many, which adds to the stress levels on an individual. To reduce this, alcohol tile painting was brought to campus.
A&M-Texarkana Counseling Services brought in a professional painter to give a one-on-one / private session to students. Students were given three tiles to make beautiful tile “paintings.” The tiles could have been used as a coaster, a painting, or however one would like it to be. After being given the tiles, the painter gave students a brief tutorial on how the process works. She gave them an apron, a various array of colors, paintbrushes, and alcohol so students could spread their colors to make a masterpiece.
The event lasted from about 11-2 in Eagle Lounge of the University Center and students left with an urge for more. Who knew that painting tiles could reduce stress?
On Saturday, November 9, the local veterans participated in the annual Veterans Day Parade. Veterans Day is a day to honor the men and women who have served our country by keeping America safe and free. The theme this year is celebrating American Legion 100th year of service to veterans. The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans organization to provide assistance and service for veterans, their families, military personnel in service, and communities. They help provide transportation to VA clinics, funeral services for veterans, and so much more.
The parade began at 11:00 am. In Downtown Texarkana. The route the parade took started at Broad St. then to Texas Blvd. to Third St. and finally to Stateline Ave. ending in front of the Post Office. There were an estimated fifty participants in the parade, including Texas A&M University-Texarkana’s Student Veterans Association Club (SVA). The attendance of the spectators was low for something as important as recognizing our veterans for all they gave us. Army Staff Sargent Larry David went to each of the high school bands to let the students know how much he appreciated them for taken time off from their Saturday to honor him and other local veterans. The Liberty-Eylau, Pleasant Grove, Texas High, and Arkansas High School bands showed him how proud they were to be there.
The National Society of Leadership & Success hosted their first social event of the year this fall. The purpose of the social event was to bring together current and past members to gather ideas and thoughts about their future plans. The NSLS on Texas A&M University-Texarkana has a total of 384 members and in order for the NSLS to bring together all members, a social event was enacted.The NSLS Chapter at Texas A&M University Texarkana has a total of 284 members currently and 120 members who have been set to alumni status. Altogether, the campus has 384 members who have been on campus.
At the social event, members arrived promptly at 6:00 p.m. in their business casual attire ready to interact amongst their peers. The NSLS provided free food such as: Firehouse Sub sandwiches, Wingstop Wings, Olive Garden, cake, and more! Members were able to take some home! As members were eating and networking, members listened to some of the executive board share their success stories. The speakers talked about their experience through the NSLS, how the NSLS has shaped them as a leader, and why they joined the organization. Members also interacted in icebreakers to establish even more connections.
Members got to witness a speech from TAMUT’s very own, Dr. Kevin Ells on the mindset of a leader. Dr. Kevin Ells is the Associate Professor of Mass Communications at Texas A&M University-Texarkana. Dr. Ells talked about the mindset of a leader and how a fixed mindset and a growth mindset can really influence one’s life. He emphasized that with a fixed mindset, qualities and habits that you inhibit are fixed and cannot change. However with a growth mindset, it allows you with the intelligence than can be developed while you get smarter through hard work. Dr. Ells has various roles on campus. By having a professor speak at an event to students, this allows them to really engage in conversation. “I’d spoken about Carol Dweck’s Mindsets earlier this semester on campus at a public speaking anxiety workshop. I was honored when one of those workshop participants invited me to speak at NSLS, a vibrant new student organization here on campus”, Ells said.
If you and your friends are looking for some fun on-campus activities to take part in be sure to check out the Christmas themed Open Mic Night that the Campus Activities Board (CAB) will be hosting on Tuesday, November 19, 2019 at the Patterson Student Center from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. There will be refreshments for everyone and a free Starbucks coffee for the first 30 attendees. Some of the activities that will be going on are karaoke, spoken word, acoustic performances, and conversation. Students are encouraged to come out and have a good time with their peers.
When asked about how important events like these are for students, Lead Event Coordinator Ta’Mar Colby said, “Events like these are good for students because they allow students to relax and have a good time during a time of the year that can be very stressful for a lot of people; it allows them to have an outlet to express themselves. Many times it is easy for students to get caught up in the classwork and exams, so it is nice for them to get a break every once in a while.”
CAB events are created to help students socialize and have a good time, so come on out on November 19th at 6:00 P.M. with some friends to sip some coffee and sing (or listen to other people sing) some Christmas songs.
On November 13th the student couseling services teamed up with Color Hype for a mental health awareness & suicide prevention event. The event was promoted through word of mouth as well as flyers posted throughout the school. All students were welcome to join.
For the students who attended, there were tables set up with ink, alcohol, and ceramic tiles. Students walking by were welcomed to join in and permission slips were available for students who missed a portion or all of their classes during the event.
Color Hype representatives were available at all tables giving instructions on how to do the ink art. Practice pieces of paper were offered and once the student felt comfortable with the technique there were encouraged to begin on the ceramic tiles.
The entire process was a great time for students to take a moment out of their day. Chelsey Rogers stated her view on the activity itself to be “fun mediums where you don’t have to think about it.” There seems to be something therapeutic about taking time out of your day to put attention on being creative.
For future events visit the TAMUT website to see a full schedule of all campus events.
On Thursday, November, 7th, 2019 a group of artists of all types will be gathering at the newly opened coffee shop, Brewsters on the Boulevard. It will be a time for local artists to hang out, grab a coffee, and enjoy other local artist’s work.
Let us be honest. We all loved High School Musical. The music, the dancing, the friendships. Imagine that in theory, you could live out your own musical. That is to say, meet and be a part of a community that supports you and your occasional musical outbursts.
This gathering was inspired by a recent documentary done by a Texarkana native. In the documentary, OffCentered, the goal was to shed light on the LBTQIA community and minorities within our own community. The videographer, Cesar Jaralillo, was inspired to make this project more tangible. For those highlighted in the documentary and those alike to gather in a safe space. A place where they are understood and seen. With some collaboration the project, Altogether, was formed. The name was inspired by the desire to unify and to remind those involved that we are all in this together.
The event will be from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. with a live performance by, Shane Chestnutt. All are welcomed to join.
The TAMU-T Chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success is hosting a social event November 12, 2019 from 6 pm to 7:30 pm in the Tri-State Iron and Metal Atrium. All current and new members are welcome to attend to get to know each other and share their goals. TAMU-T NSLS now has around 260 campus members.
NSLS believes that people can accomplish more together than they would achieve alone. They encourage success-oriented individuals to come together to help one another succeed. Phillip Derouen, the NSLS Chapter President, will officiate the event which will include helpful information from successful speakers. Dr. Kevin Ells will give a presentation on what it takes to be a good leader. NSLS members Bethany Melton and Matthew Edwards will also be on hand to share their success stories and tell why they joined NSLS and how it has helped them.
The attire is business casual and food will be provided, so come on out for a night of fun and networking.
Veterans Day is Monday, November 11, 2019. To honor our veteran students and the many veterans in our community, the Student Veteran Association (SVA) is hosting several activities this week. Veterans Day is to honor the military service members who have served and were honorably discharged or retired from the military.
Saturday, November 9 is the Veterans Day Parade held in
Downtown Texarkana. The parade starts at 11:00 am. The SVA will have a float
honoring our veterans. If you missed the parade there are plenty of other
events you can attend to show your support.
Monday, November 11 from 3pm–9pm Golden Corral will be
honoring our veterans with a free meal. Volunteers are needed to help with
seating and other tasks. If you are not available to volunteer, a donation
bucket will be available with the proceeds going to our local Disabled Veterans
Chapter.
Tuesday, November 12 is the Bake Sale from 10am–2pm in the lobby area of the UC building. All proceeds will go to the SVA to help support programs for student veterans. Help is needed for providing baked goods to be sold.
Wednesday, November 13 the SVA will be cooking hamburgers and hotdogs along with providing yard games. Games will be from 10am -2pm and food will be served from 11:00 until gone. “Burgers, hotogs, drinks, and chips, for a bargin price of Free”, Mr. Hernandez said. “This is the SVA club’s way of thanking the campus for their support” VA’s Mobile Vet Center will be visiting the campus (adjacent to the BASS Building) during this event as well. The mobile center provides assistance and referral for veterans needed benefits and counseling if needed.
Thursday, November 14 is Movie Night from 7pm-11pm held in
UC 217. Pizza and popcorn will be provided. The movie showing is Neighbors 2,
a comedy about a couple trying to sell their house with a sorority next door.
Help is needed for setup and clean up afterward.
Friday, November 15 is the Flag Ceremony Event from 10am-1pm
at Eagle Hall. This event is to recognize student and community veterans.
Cupcakes and punch will be provided. Guest speaker is Retired Col. Wiggins.
Help will be needed for escorts, setups, and cleanup.
Show your support by helping, if you can, with any of these events this week. To find out more information about these events and how you can help contact Robert Hernandez at the Veteran Services Center located at 132 in the BASS building.
The cover of Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time.
Books have always had the power to connect audiences of all ages across time and space, and Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time is no exception. Originally rejected by twenty-six publishers for dealing “overtly with the problem of evil” and being “too difficult for children” this beloved classic went on to win the Newbery Medal, the Sequoyah Book Award, and the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award. It was also nominated as runner-up for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. It has been adapted into audio books, a play, an opera, a graphic novel and two films (Disney released a TV movie in 2003, and a theatrical film in 2018 starring Storm Reid, Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling, Reese Witherspoon and Chris Pine). The Texarkana Repertory Company (TexRep) will bring this treasured story to the Stilwell Theatre at Texarkana College in November.
Hero Medina as Meg, Gabe Lohse as Charles Wallace, and Culen McElhannon as Calvin. (Credit: TexRep Facebook page)
As with any adaptation, there are some differences between the script and the original book, but the spirit of the work remains wholly intact. Some characters and scenes have been removed or rewritten for brevity’s sake, but the heart of the story is not lost. In this thrilling fantasy/science fiction adventure, siblings Meg and Charles Wallace Murry, along with their friend Calvin O’Keefe, travel through time and space to save their father who has gone missing following a mysterious scientific expedition. Along the way, they dive through wormholes, visit distant planets, and meet all manner of strange creatures. In order to save their father, and the world, the kids must overcome their fears and face an evil force as old as time itself. This is a story about the power of love, and the beauty that lies in unconventionality. As our heroes learn, sometimes the things we see as faults are actually our greatest strengths. Our differences make us unique, and they make us strong. This a story of empowerment for people of all ages, proving that everyone, even— and perhaps especially —children, has the power to change the world.
The cast of seventeen is made up of TexRep veterans and new faces alike. The show was originally intended to be performed by five actors playing multiple roles, but in this production, the roles were separated so that more actors could participate. In addition to a stellar cast, TexRep is relying on technical magic to bring this tale to life. Dazzling projections, colored lights, sound effects, and moving set pieces transport the audience to strange new worlds. These factors, in addition to special makeup and costuming, work in harmony to make this larger-than-life production as fantastical as the book it is based on. From a technical standpoint, this show is quite difficult, with literally hundreds of light, sound, and projection cues. The projections were generously loaned to TexRep by their friends at the Dallas Children’s Theatre. Artie Oliasen, who is an Artistic Associate of the DCT and a dear friend of Cooper, is the one who suggested the show. Cooper says, “I still look for new challenges, and this show both creatively and technically pushed us in great ways.” Although he doesn’t have a favorite scene, since the show isn’t divided into traditional scenes, he particularly enjoys the “Tessering” scenes (which refers to the sequences where the children travel through space-time) and he also finds the Man With Red Eyes (played by Austin Alford) to be very effective.
Director Michael Cooper and the cast of The Outsiders (2017) taking questions at Talk-Backs (Credit: TexRep Facebook page).
Although every play has meaning, the third show of every season is a particularly important one for TexRep. This slot is referred to as the “Educational show”. Generally, they choose a script that is based on some classic work that kids read in school. Recent “educational shows” include: The Great Gatsby, Twelfth Night (or What You Will), The Outsiders, andShakespeare in Love. This slot is special because, in addition to regular evening performances, TexRep invites local middle and high schools to private showings on a school day. In a world where Arts programs often struggle just to exist, especially in a town our size, this is a great way to introduce kids to theatre and spark interest in the Arts. Of the matinees, Cooper says “To get all these kids to live theatre, to see how involved they get in the productions is amazing.” He added, “There are teachers who contact me at the beginning of every school year to find out the dates because they and their kids love coming.” In addition, TexRep always collaborates directly with Texarkana College on educational shows in hopes that they function as a recruitment drive for prospective TC students, as well as celebrating the talent of current students. Perhaps the most fun part of these shows is the “Talk-Back” session. Following curtain call, the actors gather onstage in costume and the audience gets a chance to ask them questions. This opens a great (and often very entertaining) two-way dialogue between the students, teachers and the actors about the work itself and the creative process in general that they won’t get anywhere else. The educational slot is unique in that is the only show of the season that holds Talk-Backs. This particular show is also unique in that matinees will take place before the show officially opens.
This show has been a very rewarding experience for all involved. “It’s great to do a show that you can safely bring the entire family to,” Cooper said. While it is a kid-friendly show, he assures that it “plays on so many levels” that the adults will enjoy it just as much as the children. In today’s world, positive stories like this one are essential. Michael Cooper believes, “With all that is going on in the world that just feels so negative, any story that can mention Jesus, Mohammed, Da Vinci, and Gandhi in the same sentence needs to be told. The power of love can never be ignored.” Tickets for this show are available online, or at the door.
Performances of A Wrinkle in Time will be:
Thursday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 16 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 17 at 2:00 p.m.
The theatre doors will open thirty minutes prior to showtime.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of all things creepy, or you’re just looking to get in a spooky mood, many of us like to scare ourselves silly around Halloween. Some of us visit haunted mazes and trails, some attend or throw parties, some read ghost stories, but one of the most common (and one of my favorite) Halloween festivities is the increased consumption of horror films. Even those who might not normally like scary movies tend to indulge in the spirit of the season. Whether you prefer to be scared in person, or from the comfort of your couch, the Tiger Theatre Company is bringing the best of both worlds to Texarkana this weekend, as they open their production of Night of the Living Dead, LIVE!
A still from Romero’s Night of the Living Dead (1968)
Night of the Living Dead, LIVE! is a theatrical stage production based on George A. Romero’s classic 1968 film.The original plot follows a group of strangers who barricade themselves in a house in hopes of surviving a zombie outbreak. This film was significant in that it began a total reinvention of the horror genre. It also served as the birth of the modern zombie film, which continues to be wildly popular today, even five decades later. It was also significant in that it was highly controversial, since it featured an African-American hero and realistic sequences of gore and violence. Going into this, it is extremely important to understand that this is not a strict, line-for-line, shot-for-shot adaptation, it is a humorous re-imagining and celebration of the original film.
On their website, Samuel French says that, “The play lovingly examines the movie itself, the period in which it was made, and the film’s undying influence on the horror genre.” Although it keeps most of the basic plot elements, there are differences. According to director Melissa Newton, rather than sticking to the film’s original ending, this version has multiple endings in which each character faces different difficulties while trying to make it through the night. This allows the audience to examine these various endings from multiple viewpoints, “through the lens of the 1960s”, as Newton put it. As in the film, all of the characters seem to be at odds with one another, which begs the question: will they kill each other before the zombies get the chance? Plot differences aside, Newton assures that the spirit of the original film is still very much intact. “People keep asking me if the play is scary,” she said, “It depends – if the original film scares you, then this will be very scary.” For those who are looking for a fright, do not fret! Newton says that there are definitely moments that will make audiences jump.
When asked why she chose this production, Newton began by explaining that the first production she directed at Texas High was Dracula. The THS Theatre Department’s technical director, Trent Hanna, enjoyed that production so much that he came to Newton in the spring and asked if they could do another “scary” show, since Dracula was so much fun. “Between the two of us, we must have read [every] version of Night of the Living Dead and none of them had the right feel,” Newton continued. As she was planning a trip to London, she noticed that a new version, titled Night of the Living Dead, LIVE!, was running on the West End. “Immediately, I ordered the script and read it,” she said, “It was perfect”. They particularly liked this version because it contained deeper social commentary, and it was very humorous. Newton says that this is more than just a “horror show”, and she cannot wait to share it with everyone.
The rehearsal process for this show has been quite intense. The cast consists of 38 actors, all Texas High School students. The production also boasts an impressive crew of seventeen. Both cast and crew went through rigorous training in stage combat, and the actors portraying zombies have put countless hours into perfecting their “zombie identities”. The company began by rehearsing three to four days a week, focusing on blocking and character development. Rehearsals became more frequent (and intense) as opening night drew closer and, by October, the cast and crew had begun running scenes with the zombies and technical elements. Due to the heavy use of technical elements in the show, they have also had several all-day tech rehearsals in order to get things running smoothly.
Although they work extremely hard, the cast and crew have fun as well. THS Junior Darby Robertson (who plays the role of Judy) shared a humorous moment between she and Connor Powell, the actor playing her love interest (Tom). While rehearsing a passionate kiss between the two characters, Powell accidentally collided with Robertson, busting her lip. “It is definitely something I will never forget,” she said, adding that the incident will “haunt Connor for the rest of his time in this theatre company.”
THS Senior Alex Cope, who is the chief of the lighting crew, said that he has greatly enjoyed doing tech for this show. Cope said, “My favorite thing about the show is, of course, the lights.” He particularly loves the way the lighting design makes the play “come to life”. According to Cope, when it comes to the rehearsal process, “seeing everyone grow in their scenes and become so invested is probably one of the best things. I’m definitely going to miss this.” One of the director’s favorite moments is a scene she refers to as the “sacrifice scene”. Newton chose not to elaborate on this moment, saying that she would leave it at that, in order to avoid “giving too much away.”
Although every production of any play is special for multiple reasons, what makes this show unique is that it has a peculiar color scheme… The set, costumes, and even the actors will be in full grayscale, as is the tradition with this play. This is meant to evoke the spirit of the black-and-white 35 millimeter film on which the original movie was shot. Special rehearsals were called in order to train the actors and crew members so their makeup would be just right. It will be interesting to see how they play with this effect. When asked about other special effects used in the show, Newton refused to divulge any further secrets. “You will have to be in the audience to see it,” she said.
Performances of Night of the Living Dead, LIVE! will be:
Friday, October 25 – 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 26 – 7:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 27 – 2:00 p.m.
Tickets will be available both online or at the door.
For questions or more information, contact Melissa Newton, or call 903-794-3891 (ext. 2408). For updates on this show and future shows, you can find the Tiger Theatre Company on Facebook, or follow them on Instagram.
Can YOU survive a night of the living dead?
The Tiger Theatre Company is making a point to stress that this production has a PG-13 rating, as it contains violence that may not be suitable for children. Parents should use caution and plan accordingly.
