Opera Theatre to Present Digitally Animated Opera

11/14/08

Belton, Texas - The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor College of Visual and Performing Arts and the Department of Music presents the UMHB Opera Theatre on Friday, November 21st at 7:30 p.m. in Hughes Recital Auditorium in Presser Hall on the campus. The UMHB Opera Theatre, under the direction of George Hogan, will present a new digital animation of the comic opera, The Grasshopper.

The opera is a silly, tragic tale about a grasshopper getting eaten by a turkey gobbler. Hogan's digital animation concept has been realized through the help of students, staff and faculty.

Joe Ahlert, a four-year member of the UMHB Opera Theatre program and a computer graphics major, is serving as animation designer.

Hershall Seals, chairman of the Art department, along with his students in the Digital Art I class, have assisted with character designs.

Members of the UMHB Opera Theatre program bring the animated characters alive with their voices. Richard Schrimsher, audio/visual technician, serves as audio engineer for the project through the Schrimsher Sound Studio which is owned and operated by him and his wife, Terry Lynn.

Nelda Milligan, UMHB Opera Theatre accompanist, provides various accompaniment sounds.

Students in the UMHB Opera Theatre include Joe Ahlert, Julie Atwood, Kelly Criswell, Leslie Cross, Brianna Edwards, Ruth Felder, Matthew Hulon, David McCarty, Becca Northam, Kathleen Shelton and Brooke Swanson.

Students in the UMHB Digital Art I class include Elena Abercrombie, Joe Ahlert, Lauren Allen, Luis Baez, Josh Campbell, Keith Busby, Vanessa Renee Cornett, Leslie Irick, Meagan Jacobs, Benjamin Rhudy, Daniel Ruezga, Katie Smith and Joseph Villegas.

The brief performance is free, open to the public and suitable for all ages.