Last year’s collaboration between music and theatre brought “A Christmas Carol” to stage with music by Bel Canto Singers and Josh Fleming as Scrooge.
Hesston College Performing Arts invites the community to a unique music and theater experience, “’Twas the Night After Christmas,” on December 8, at 7 p.m. at Hesston Mennonite Church. Admission is free, and attendees of all ages are welcome to join in an evening of reflection, artistry and collaboration.
A special effort between Hesston College’s theatre and music departments creates an enchanting performance. The two disciplines met early in the creative process and later found their efforts intertwined to create moments that feel intentionally crafted for one another. Some of the songs provided the main inspiration for a piece, while others enhance a scene or offer a musical interlude. All of the music beautifully complements the unfolding vignettes, bringing depth to this showcase of heartfelt exploration. In the spirit of the season, the audience will also be invited to join in singing a few traditional Christmas favorites.
Unlike traditional performances, “’Twas the Night After Christmas” is a devised theatre piece, uniquely crafted entirely by current Hesston College theatre students alongside Rachel Jantzi, director of theatre. She shares how the creative process behind this piece is as distinct as the performance itself.
“We started with nothing, and we worked collaboratively to build a script using our own experiences, interviews with others and additional inspirations like poetry, music, dance, journalism and art,” Jantzi explains. “What happens to our relationship with the nativity story after the hurriedness and excitement of the season comes to an end was the idea and starting point for us. The creators of the piece then become the performers, so it all feels very personal and immediate.”
The production features student actors Anja Martinez of Topeka, Kan.; Ashleigh Williams of Eaton, Colo.; Caroline Miller of Arlington, Kan.; Chloe Robinson of Moore, Okla.; Christian Ryan of Topeka, Kan.; Desirae Rodriguez of Wichita, Kan.; Jamie Krehbiel of Hesston, Kan.; Josh Fleming of Raymore, Mo.; and Kyrsten Pauley of Lee’s Summit, Mo.; with tech support from Uyen (Ava) Huynh of Lamdong, Vietnam; and Sam Setiawan of Goshen, Ind.
The vocal talents of Hesston College’s premier vocal choir, Bel Canto Singers, includes Lily Corkill of Olsburg, Kan.; Evelyn Gaertner of Newton, Kan.; Jamie Krehbiel of Hesston, Kan.; Caroline Miller of Arlington, Kan.; Desirae Rodriguez of Wichita, Kan.; Uyen (Ava) Huynh of Lamdong, Vietnam; Misaki Kurata of Osaka, Japan; Anja Martinez of Topeka, Kan.; Ashleigh Williams of Eaton, Colo.; Rylee Weishaupt of Goshen, Ind.; Josalyn Wipf of Huron, S.D.; Gabriel Clark of Goshen, Ind.; Angelo Jenkins of Oklahoma City, Okla.; Charles Miller of Arlington, Kan.; Nolan Gorman of Redmond, Ore.; Devin Miller of Hesston, Kan.; Sebastian Pavlovich of Lindsborg, Kan.; Christian Ryan of Topeka, Kan.; Ethan Thompson of Hesston, Kan.; with Ken Rodgers as conductor and Russell Adrian as accompanist.
“We’re excited to welcome audiences to a thoughtfully constructed evening that feels intimate and conversational,” says Jantzi. “Our goal is to spark meaningful, thought-provoking conversations that extend beyond the holidays.” Join us for an evening that promises to be as warm and engaging as a fireside chat and aims to keep the season’s message alive in a fresh, personal way. For those unable to attend in person, the production will be live streamed at hesston.edu/livestream. Also, the Hesston College Theatre Guild will provide cookies, cocoa and warm cider following the performance. Learn more at hesston.edu/theatre.