Songs for a New World Musical Preview by: Brett Briggeman

The Hardin-Simmons University (HSU) Department of Theatre has announced its next presentation will be a musical called Songs for a New World. This show is scheduled to be presented on April 9 and 10 beginning at 7:30 p.m., and April 11 and 12 at 2 p.m.. 

Allie Byork is a junior musical theatre major from Bowie and is the stage manager for the musical. Her favorite part of her role has been the process and preparation that goes into making Songs for a New World possible.

“My favorite part about being the stage manager is being part of the whole process,” Byork said. “I’m at all the rehearsals and all the design meetings, so I get to see the process of the show coming together, not just the final product. My favorite part about being involved in this show is the people. It’s my first time stage managing, and this show has been really fun because I’m working with a bunch of amazing and talented people.”

“What you can expect from this musical is a lot of music,” Byork said. “There is no dialogue in this musical, it's just singing, and the singers are really good. We choose each show very carefully, keeping in mind the needs of our students' training and the artistic taste of our audiences."

Logan Hughes is a sophomore theatre major from Lewisville and is the lighting designer for the musical. He also credits his favorite part of his role to the process and highlights the importance of light to story telling. 

“My favorite part has been learning to use the light board, getting acquainted with the actual on hand, hands-on practical elements of lighting design,” Hughes said. “My favorite part of being involved in the show is getting to be part of the creative process by working with the lighting instruments to help tell the story.”

Hughes also pointed out the interesting twist of this musical, which is that it has no linear plot line that they follow.

“Lots of people expect a traditional musical,” Hughes said. “It's a song cycle. So it's not a traditional plot, but it is an energetic musical with lots of different songs, lots of different people and lots of different styles of music. So expect to be entertained. There are many lighting fixtures used in this production. In fact, there are 137 total lighting fixtures being used. That's just one of the cool things from my perspective."

Songs for a New World is sure to be a fantastic experience, continuing to highlight the hard work and talent of our theatre department. Be sure to go out and support them. Tickets can be found at hsutx.edu/tickets.