RSU to Showcase Faculty Talent on Nov. 16-17

Faculty members at Rogers State University will display their musical and literary talents during the second annual “Faculty Showcase” on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 16-17. 

The showcase will feature “Quest for the Clio,” a one-act play, which is a spoof of the advertising industry. The Faculty Showcase, which is open to the public, will be held at 8:06 p.m. in the Will Rogers Auditorium on the RSU campus in Claremore.

“Quest for the Clio” was written and adapted for the stage by RSU professor Dr. Jeff Gentry, head of the Department of Communications and Fine Arts. Gentry is directing and performing in the play, along with RSU professors Dr. David Blakely, Dr. Gregory Thompson and J. Renee Turk. 

Blakely, who is the RSU theatre coordinator, has directed many RSU theatre productions including “Nickel and Dimed,” the university’s first participating entry in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

During the “Faculty Showcase,” RSU professor Dr. Nat Hardy will perform “Biomarkers,” original poetry featuring art by Julian Grater. Dr. Mary Mackie will perform her original poem “Fantom Mother” and the song “The Rose,” by Amanda McBroom, while being accompanied by Dr. Chip Rogers.

Joseph Cernuto will perform “Summertime” by George Gershwin, with accompaniment by Rogers and “Concerto in E-flat Major, Movement I (Allegro),” by Jan Jiri Neruda, with accompaniment by Claremore High School student Priscilla Persson. Rogers also will perform “Gonna Be” by Charlie Reid and Craig Reid, along with Gentry and accompaniment by RSU students Ryan Floyd, Thomas Peters and Nic Pranger. Rogers also will read his original poem “Angel Smile.”

Dr. Hugh Foley will perform his original song “American Jeans,” accompanied by Floyd, Peters and Pranger, and Renee Turk will perform Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s “The Simple Joys of Maidenhood” with accompaniment by Persson.

Admission to “Faculty Showcase” is $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens and free for RSU students and faculty. For more information, call (918) 343-7740.