🎠NEW! Arkansas Theatre Newsletter
Sometimes the tiniest seeds bloom into the most meaningful, joy-filled connections, and COMMUNITY GARDEN by Justin Borak at the University of the Ozarks Department of Theatre grows into something truly special. With a warmth that radiates beyond the stage, this production is endearing, while also serving as a shining example of the strength and care within this educational theatre program. It’s clear these students are being guided not only in performance, but in storytelling and artistry. Running through May 2 in Clarksville, this production, directed by Dr. Macy Jones, invites audiences into a Chicago green space to join on an intimate level.Â
🎠NEW! Arkansas Theatre Newsletter
Colby Feezell (August) Lila Bass (Daphne) Kaden Thomas (Ralph)
Ralph, a first-time volunteer, is a neighborhood hopper looking for a connection and finds a vibrant, ever-changing community filled with quirky personalities, budding relationships, and unexpected moments of vulnerability. Told through a series of interconnected vignettes, the play explores how tending to the earth can also nurture human connection and begins to understand why longtime volunteer Donald insists there’s something almost magical about this garden.
What makes this production so effective, especially in a collegiate setting, is its embrace of that vignette structure. Under Dr. Jones’s thoughtful direction, the transitions feel seamless and intentional, allowing each moment to bloom before gently giving way to the next. There’s a strong sense of pacing and trust in the material, never rushing the quieter beats but also letting the humor land with ease. The Black Box staging enhances this intimacy, making the audience feel as though they, too, are part of the community.Â
Ka’Ron Lewis (Donald) RyleeAnn Hill (Bella)
The ensemble is truly the heart of this production, with several standout performances that anchor the piece. Kaden Thomas leads the audience into the story as Ralph, capturing that wide-eyed curiosity of a newcomer while gradually revealing a deeper emotional core. His journey feels authentic and relatable, making him a strong guide through the garden’s many stories. Ka’Ron Lewis brings quiet wisdom to Donald, embodying the character’s belief in the garden’s magic without ever feeling overplayed. And RyleeAnn Hill as Bella adds a vibrant energy to the stage, creating a character that feels both spirited and sincere, contributing beautifully to the show’s sense of community.
With a piece like this, there are no small roles, each character represents a different perspective, a different story, a different “plot” in the garden. The cast rises to the challenge, crafting distinct and memorable individuals while still functioning as a cohesive unit. The transitions between humor and sincerity are handled with care, and the actors understand that the comedy works best when it’s grounded in truth. There are moments that draw genuine laughter, quickly followed by ones that catch you off guard with their emotional honesty.
The set design itself deserves its own round of applause because it didn’t just suggest a garden, it told a story. The space genuinely looked like the backside of a pizza joint that had been lovingly transformed into a thriving community garden. And can we talk about the plants? Real, living plants onstage! That choice added such a beautiful layer of authenticity to the production. There’s something undeniably special about watching a play about growth and connection surrounded by actual greenery. It grounded the story in a tactile, sensory way that artificial props simply couldn’t replicate.
The black box is intimate and has limited seating, so get there early. This is the last weekend, so get your tickets at https://ozarks.edu/academics/university-theatre.
Irene Dames (April) Robert Chery (Adam) Dustin Madrigal (Ken)
CAST
Bella — RyleeAnn Hill
Donald — Ka’Ron Lewis
Ralph — Kaden Thomas
Kelly — La’Delpha Rhiney
Casey — Catasia Ferguson
Andi — Alivia Booty
Trace — Kate Baptiste
Davey — Tessa Orender
Adam — Robert Chery
Ken — Dustin Madrigal
April — Irene Dames
Sadie — Cierra Turnquest
August — Colby Feezell
Daphne — Lila Bass
Kape — Vaughnique Francis
Taylor — Anthony Nuno
Jordan — Jose Salgado
Mr. Putnam — Dr. David Strain
Jose Salgado (Jordan) Anthony Nuno (Taylor)
PRODUCTION TEAM
Director — Dr. Macy Jones
Technical Director, Scenic Design — Lucas Hoiland
Stage Manager — Abigail Reyes Ruiz
Asst. Stage Manager — Tranique Francis
Lighting Design — Steven Berna
Costume Design, Makeup/Hair — Tessa Orender
Sound Design — Colby Feezell
Props Master, Makeup/Hair — Emma Cariker
Horticulturist — Dr. Christie Sampson
Marketing, Poster Design, Box Office — Evanique Oralhomme
Light Board Operator — Rachel Engles
Sound Board Operator — Ragan Sisson
Reader Reviews
To post a comment, you must register and login.
Comments are closed.