In the News

Theatre Camp for Middle and High School Students Coming in June

Student actors ages 11 to 18 are invited to stage a live theatre performance at Hesston College’s annual summer theatre camp June 11 to 17. The weeklong theatre immersion will culminate in a public performance of the musical “Freaky Friday” at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 17, in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary on the Hesston College campus.

Theatre camp offers students a chance to be fully involved in the process of creating something from nothing. Participants will have the opportunity to learn and expand on skills including vocalization, staging, choreography, safety protocol in the scene shop, scene painting techniques and how to thread a sewing machine. Students of all experience levels are encouraged to attend, even if they’ve never performed or used a drill.

“For the last nine years, even before it became an overnight event, the purpose of this camp has always been to tell stories and help young people gain confidence in who they are on and off the stage,” says Rachel Jantzi, Hesston College Theatre director and professor. “There is a spot for everyone and all are welcome.”

Theatre camp registration is $335 per person and includes lodging and meals for seven days and six nights, or $285 for day camp only. A discount is available for families registering more than one student. Registration is due June 8.

“To put together an entire show in a week is crazy and a blast,” Jantzi explains. “Also, our evening activities like going swimming, bonfires, movie nights and talent shows are a great way to build community and end each night before lights out.”

“Freaky Friday” is a new, hilarious musical based on the classic book about a mom and teen daughter switching bodies for a day and learning to appreciate what each other has to navigate. This show is upbeat and touching, with fun music to coincide.

Hesston College Graduates Encouraged to Live with Love

A weekend full of rehearsals, recitals and receptions came to fruition Saturday, May 13, at the Hesston Mennonite Church where Hesston College graduates received their diplomas and took pictures with president Dr. Joseph A. Manickam.

Hesston College’s 113th commencement ceremony featured an address titled “Living in God’s Love,” given by Riccardo Harris, executive director of Wichita GEAR UP at Wichita State University, where he reflected on a childhood experience that highlighted the importance of community and loving others.

“My childhood memories of my neighborhood helped me to appreciate neighbors, and how we were all there to support, encourage and help one another. Even though we all lived our own lives, in our own homes, we were interdependent. We all had a part to play in our community,” Harris explained. “As you enter the world beyond Hesston College, I encourage you to make love the foundation of your interactions…. Make it the standard by which you measure your impact and success in the world. When you approach the world with love, you bring light in the dark places and create the possibility for change.”

The prayer of invocation was delivered by Jim and Kathy Yoder, parents of graduate Tobias Yoder (Harrisonburg, Va.). Two students, Loribeth Miller (Chouteau, Okla.) and Kara Longenecker (Harrisonburg, Va.), were nominated by faculty and staff and voted by their classmates as the graduate speakers to reflect on the Hesston Experience.

Miller spoke of examples she had of professors, coaches and the president who helped her realize not just what she wants to be, but who she wants to be. “That person is someone who is a servant leader and glorifies God in all aspects of life,” she said.

Longenecker likened Hesston College to a character in the latest chapter of the graduates’ personal stories, saying, “I hope we can continue moving forward, writing our stories with meaning, truth and courage. Taking what we’ve learned here, with the degrees we will soon have in our hands, to make an impact.”

President Joseph A. Manickam, Ph.D., conferred 33 Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees, seven Bachelor of Arts degrees in business management, a Bachelor of Science degree to a student majoring in Aviation – Professional Pilot and 59 associate degrees. The graduating class of 2023 includes members from 12 different countries, U.S. territories and sovereign nations.

The seven business management graduates are the first cohort to graduate from Hesston College with this newly offered degree. They were honored Saturday night with a reception in Kropf Center.

The 33 nursing program graduates were honored at a Nursing Pinning ceremony in the sanctuary of Hesston Mennonite Church on the morning of May 13. Graduates received their nursing pins as well as the traditional blessing of hands from Hesston College nursing faculty.

The School of Aviation also hosted an open house Saturday afternoon at the Hesston College hangar in celebration of their students graduating with bachelor’s and associate degrees.

Other commencement weekend events included several music recitals and a theatre showcase. Bel Canto Singers also presented the kickoff concert to their summer tour Friday evening in the sanctuary of Hesston Mennonite Church.

Semester Finale Performances to Highlight Voice and Theatre Talents

Voice and theatre students will demonstrate their performance abilities during sophomore voice recitals on Friday, May 12, at 2 and 4 p.m. and a theatre showcase on Saturday, May 13, at 1 p.m.

The sophomore recitals will be held at Hesston College’s Black Box Theater in Keim Center with performances from a wide variety of musical styles including English and foreign language art song, musical theatre, pop, spirituals and oratorio.

“Sophomore recitals are opportunities for some Hesston College students who have taken private lessons for four semesters to showcase their technical and creative development,” explains music professor Holly Swartzendruber. “I work with the singers, and for me it’s wonderful to see their technical and musical growth.”

The 2 p.m. sophomore recital will feature Luke Huyard, tenor, and Sadie Oesch, mezzo-soprano, while the 4 p.m. recital will feature Jesse Kanagy, baritone, Ginny Miller, mezzo-soprano, and Abraham Cadillo Quispe, baritone.

The theatre showcase will also take place at Hesston College’s Black Box Theater in Keim Center with students from the Acting I and Acting II classes performing a series of monologues, scenes and additional assignments from the past semester, as well as a student-directed one act play.

“This group has been an absolute pleasure to work with this year and have developed as young actors,” says Rachel Jantzi, director of theatre. “You will see selections from plays and literature to film and even video game scripts!”

The showcase will wrap up with the short one act play, “The Wall: A Pilgrimage,” directed by graduating theatre scholar, Alexis Driscoll. This show is about a family visiting the Vietnam War Memorial and the feelings each member faces when recalling the soldier they lost.

Bel Canto Singers Travel Southwest on Summer Tour

Hesston College Bel Canto Singers will travel southwest for a spring tour May 15 to 25. The 18-voice mixed chamber choir, under the direction of Dr. Russell Adrian, will present a program titled “God Is Love,” inspired by I John 4:7-8, this year’s theme verse at Hesston College. The program will feature a wide range of genres including selections by music professor Dr. Holly Swartzendruber. A home concert is scheduled for Friday, May 12, at 7 p.m. at Hesston Mennonite Church and can be viewed online at hesston.edu/livestream.

The tour itinerary includes:

• Friday, May 12, 7 p.m., Hesston (Kan.) Mennonite Church
• Monday, May 15, 7 p.m., Albuquerque (N.M.) Mennonite Church
• Wednesday, May 17, 7 p.m., Trinity Mennonite Church, Glendale, Ariz.
• Thursday, May 18, 7 p.m., Shalom Mennonite Church, Tucson, Ariz.
• Sunday, May 21, 10:30 a.m., Pasadena (Calif.) Mennonite Church
• Sunday, May 21, 2:30 p.m., Grace Indonesian Christian Fellowship, Sierra Madre, Calif.
• Wednesday, May 24, 7 p.m., First Mennonite Church, Denver, Colo.

The 2022-23 academic year marks the 39th season for the Bel Canto Singers, Hesston College’s premier choral ensemble. Bel Canto Singers allows students from a broad spectrum of majors to make music an important part of their college experience. The group carries out ambitious concert and touring schedules annually.

Members include Daniel Miller of Arlington, Kan.; Sadie Oesch of Caldwell, Idaho; Luke Allison of Freeman, S.D.; Alyssa Burkholder of Goessel, Kan.; Meg Beyer, Luke Huyard, Kara Longenecker, Ginny Miller and Eli Stoll of Harrisonburg, Va.; Rachel Weaver of Broadway, Va.; Aidan Swartzendruber of Henderson, Neb.; Anna-Joy Jones of Lockhart, Texas; Andrew Miller of Kidron, Ohio; Jack Shingler of Creston, Ohio; Jesse Kanagy of Lancaster, Pa.; Hadassa Friesen Pauls of Neuland, Paraguay; Desirae Rodriguez of Whittier, Calif.; and Abraham Cadillo Quispe of Yokohama, Japan.

Tomato Plant Girl Performance to Highlight Bullying and Acceptance

All generations will appreciate the message of kindness and friendship that grows in this year’s Theatre for Young Audiences production, “Tomato Plant Girl,” showing April 27 to 30 at the Hesston College Black Box Theater in Keim Center. Performances will be at 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday and 2 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Presented by Hesston College Theatre, “Tomato Plant Girl” is a powerful exploration of friendship between Little Girl, Bossy Best Friend and the messy Tomato Plant Girl who springs from the earth. While especially directed toward elementary school aged children, this 45-minute show is full of action and charm that all ages will enjoy.

“I love the fantasy and magic that happens when Tomato Plant Girl emerges from the earth,” explains Director Celaine Worden. “She is from another world, but teaches Little Girl an incredible lesson about true friendship. By the end of the show, Little Girl grows into a different, but stronger person.”

Highlighting the issues of bullying and acceptance of others, this play challenges the character of Little Girl to bravely discover the power of making up her own rules and leading with kindness. Worden hopes audience members of all ages will walk away knowing they have the power to stand up against bullying and through kindness and friendship, bring transformation for a better world.

“As we prepare to plant our gardens this spring, this story provides a positive perspective on our connection with the earth, and each other,” Worden says. “Just like plants, people can grow and flourish when our environment is supportive and kind.”

Hesston College Theatre will also present special showings for Hesston Elementary School students prior to their public performances.

Tickets are available at the door or may be purchased at the Hesston College Bookstore (620-327-8105). For more information, call 620-327-8142.

Sunflower Performing Arts Presents Contemporary Percussion Group, Pax Duo

Sunflower Performing Arts presents the ensemble, pax duo, offering a contemporary percussion performance on April 2, 2023. The concert starts at 3 p.m. at Hesston Mennonite Church.

Tristan Swihart and Micah Detweiler are the musicians behind pax duo. Breaking with the traditional take on percussion stylings through collaboration and genre bending, this group will deliver a show offering an unexpected mix of acoustic instruments. In addition, a lighting design will be a component of their performance.

“A multi-media acoustic percussion duo is unusual for our series, and I’m excited to experience the virtuosic playing and use of lighting effects to enhance the performance,” said Director of Sunflower Performing Arts Holly Swartzendruber. “This concert will be a wonderful way to close our season.”

Originally from Goshen, Ind., and Madison, Wis., pax duo has performed on stages in their home cities and across the Midwest. During their first season pax duo had more than 20 engagements, and the ensemble continues to work on projects and commissions.

Tickets are available at the door or may be purchased at the Hesston College Bookstore (620-327-8105). For more information, call 620-327-8158.

Ready, Set, GO GREEN! Leprechaun Run 2-Mile/10K Race Set for March 11

On Saturday, March 11, Dyck Arboretum will celebrate its 11th Go Green Leprechaun Run. The event will again include a 10K race and 2 mile fun run/walk for all ages, with St. Patrick’s Day-themed refreshments and a medal ceremony. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 9:15 a.m. for both distances at Dyck Arboretum of the Plains, 177 West Hickory in Hesston. Both chip-timed distances will begin at 9:30.

What started out as a 2-mile fun run to encourage people to go “green” with wise environmental practices and to celebrate St Patrick’s Day expanded to also include a 10K run in 2014. Over the years, participants have also gotten into the Go Green spirit by dressing up in themed costumes.

“With this event, we have been able to engage the community in a healthy activity, which was an important goal of our founders,” said arboretum Education Coordinator and Race Director Brad Guhr. “Evie and Harold Dyck dreamed of creating a place for people young and old to congregate, have a recreational outlet and enjoy native plants in a prairie garden setting. These ideals provided inspiration and guidance for the development of our first ever Go Green Leprechaun Run in 2011.”

This year’s race swag options will include three black and green tri-blend shirt options: unisex short sleeve, ladies v-neck short sleeve and unisex long sleeve. Additional details and registration can be found online at dyckarboretum.org/arboretum-event/go-green-leprechaun-run-2023/

EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION is available through midnight on Wednesday, March 1, and ensures registrants will receive their race shirt on race day. Online registration will close midnight, Thursday, March 9, but in-person registration is available on March 10 at packet pickup (3 to 6 p.m.) and before the race March 11 (8:30 to 9:15 a.m.).

Business partners for the 2023 Leprechaun Run include Adrian & Pankratz, Attorneys at Law; AGCO Corporation; Golden Plains Credit Union; Kairos Consulting and Counseling, LLC, and Red Truck Painting.

For information about registering or volunteering, please visit www.dyckarboretum.org, or contact the arboretum office at arboretum@hesston.edu or call 620-327-8127.

Hesston College Performing Arts Presents The Apple Tree

Hesston College Performing Arts presents The Apple Tree on March 1 to 5, 2023, at the Hesston College Black Box Theater in Keim Center. The cast and crew are Hesston College students with a special appearance by a former Hesston College staff member and alum.

The Apple Tree is a work from Bock and Harnick, the same duo that created for Fiddler on the Roof and She Loves Me. The performance consists of three musical playlets with separate storylines yet connected by a theme. This play presents comedy, tragedy and romance.

“This show is so unique with its three-in-one structure,” said Director of Theatre Rachel Jantzi. “All the playlets fall under this familiar theme of choice and consequences and our cast has met the wonderful challenge of taking on a multitude of characters and vastly different genres of storytelling.”

The first playlet is The Diary of Adam and Eve by Mark Twain. The story tells the well-known tale in a new variation. The second playlet is a fable, The Lady or the Tiger. This performance tells a story of a forbidden love. The final playlet is Passionella, a modern twist on the Cinderella story that ends much more surprisingly than the original.

“This will be the first production that our new scenic and lighting designer, Micah Bachert, has created for Hesston College, and it is as unique as the show!” said Jantzi. “Every massive piece he designed is integral to the action and featured heavily throughout each story. I have had fun directing in such a creative space. This show is also special in that the band is featured onstage interacting with the characters.”

As an additional treat to this performance, Hesston College Theatre Guild members will serve an apple dessert for the audience to enjoy.

Tickets are available at the door or may be purchased at the Hesston College Bookstore (620-327-8105). For more information, call 620-327-8142.

The Small Glories Debut at Dyck Arboretum February 4

On Saturday, February 4, at 7 p.m. in Hesston, The Small Glories make their debut at the Prairie Window Concert Series at Dyck Arboretum of the Plains. The concert will take place in the Prairie Pavilion at the arboretum overlooking the lake.

Tickets are by reservation at https://dyckarboretum.org/arboretum-event/the-small-glories-2/ or by calling 620-327-8127. Cost of tickets is $20 for adults and $10 for children, plus tax. Proceeds benefit the arboretum’s mission to cultivate transformative relationships between people and the land.

Roots powerhouse duo The Small Glories are Cara Luft and JD Edwards, a musical tour-de-force partnership planted on the Canadian Prairies.

With a stage banter striking a unique balance between slapstick and sermon, these veteran singer-songwriters have a way of making time disappear, rooms shrink and audiences feel as they are right there on the stage with the band — writing the songs, living the songs, performing the songs. It’s not uncommon for listeners to find themselves laughing, dancing, crying or caught up in a good old fashioned sing-along.

“Luft is a Wailin’ Jennys alum whose work on the clawhammer banjo is to die for, while Edwards’ guitar and vocal harmonies deepen and enrich the duo’s sound.” — NPR Music

“Some things just work together: the Lennon and McCartney syndrome – and to witness a performance by The Small Glories is a rare opportunity to experience that indefinable quality that creates perfection… ” — David Allen, Americana UK

“… you can’t help but be drawn in by Luft’s soulful vocals and the instrumentation that is quietly powerful.” — AmericanaHighways.org

“…impressive and memorable. We’ve seen the success of duos like the Civil Wars, Mandolin Orange and Shovels & Rope. The Small Glories can now begin to take their rightful place.” — Glide Magazine