Julie Neish

Julie Neish, a Doctor of Musical Arts in conducting student in the School of Music, has been hired by the Arts and Science Center for Southeast Arkansas as the musical director and technical director for their summer production of "“Little Shop of Horrors."”

As musical director, Neish will be the vocal coach and rehearsal pianist and will direct a pit of around eight musicians for performances. As technical director, she will create the lighting design and sound design and help design and build the set and the four man-eating plant props in collaboration with community members.

"“The biggest joys and the biggest challenges in this job are two sides of the same coin: The opportunity to work with such diverse ages, experience levels, talents and life experiences that individuals bring to the theatre is pure joy,”" says Neish. "“The main drawback with community productions, however, is that you create what you can with whatever and whomever you have to work with. Community productions are very different artistic endeavors than professional or educational theatre.”"

Performances will be at the end of July. Wyatt Kent, a Master of Fine Arts in Directing student – also from the School of Music – will direct the production and will also serve as co-technical director.