HSU, OBU co-produce ‘Sense and Sensibility’ during Battle of the Ravine

ARKADELPHIA — The theater departments of Ouachita Baptist University and Henderson State University are coming together during the Battle of the Ravine to perform a joint production adapted from the Jane Austen classic “Sense and Sensibility,” a news release said.

Performances will be held at Henderson State’s Arkansas Hall Studio Theatre. Tickets may be purchased at either university’s box office.

Performances will begin at

7:30 p.m. Thursday and continue through Saturday at the same time, with a matinee performance at 2:30 p.m. Sunday. The show will continue Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 12-13, also at

7:30 p.m.

“The play’s fast-paced, lively adaptation of Jane Austen’s book gives the audience a glimpse into the lives of Marianne and Elinor Dashwood, two young women left to find their way in

18th century England after the death of their father. As they navigate the waters of life and love, they struggle to follow the rules of society and their own hearts,” the release said.

Ouachita and Henderson State collaborate on a theater production every three or four years to allow students to work with other theatre artists and faculty, it said.

“It also allows the students to perform in a new space and can result in a higher production value, as we’re able to pool the resources of both schools,” Stephanie Murry, Ouachita assistant professor of theatre arts and director of the play, said in the release. Henderson State’s Doug Gilpin is the scenic and lighting designer for the production.

Although the two universities have co-produced multiple performances, this is the first time they have ever performed during the week of the Battle of the Ravine football rivalry. The game will be played on Saturday this year.

“We thought, ‘How cool would it be to have this shared piece of art on the most competitive weekend of the year?’” Murry said. “While other activities are dividing the two universities, this will bring them together for a few hours.”

General admission for “Sense and Sensibility” is $10. The play is free for Ouachita students and counts toward Arts Engagement credit. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.obu.edu/ boxoffice; from the Ouachita Box Office weekdays from 1-5 p.m.; or the Henderson State Box Office weekdays from 1-4 p.m.

For Ouachita’s box office, call 870-245-5555. For Henderson State’s box office, call 870230-5291.