Campbell University’s Theatre Arts program will present its first production of the academic year — “Winnie the Pooh, A Musical Comedy” — Oct. 26-29 at Ellis Theater in the Taylor Bott Rogers Fine Arts Building.
The musical finds the beloved A.A. Milne character Pooh on a search for a “smackerel” of honey while singing happily with his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. The “terrible trouble” arrives when the dreaded Kanga arrives with soap for baths and spoonfuls of medicine.
The musical, based on the books by Milne, is adapted for the stage by Kristin Sergel, with music by Allan Friedman and lyrics by Milne.
Georgia Martin, associate professor of theatre arts at Campbell, is the production’s director and head of costume design, and Dr. Phillip Morrow, associate professor of music and director of choral activities at Campbell, is musical director. Jody Tidwell heads scene and lighting design, and Joey Cook is choreographer.
The musical will run from Oct. 26-29 with shows at 7 p.m. that Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. General admission is $7 and tickets for students, faculty, staff and senior citizens will run $3. Tickets are available at www.SellingTicket.com/CUFineArts.
CAST BIOS
Benjamin Wright (Pooh): Benjamin Wright is a senior at Campbell University. He is studying Christian Studies and theatre with a performance concentration. This is his eighth year in theater, and he has loved every moment of it. His favorite performance he has done at Campbell was “The Complete History of Theatre (Abridged),” because he got to make a bunch of theater jokes with his friends. He is passionate about youth ministry, his friends and family, and Sonic the restaurant. He is so thankful for everything that he has experienced and he can not wait to make more memories.
Ian Hudson (Rabbit): Ian Hudson is a sophomore double majoring in Christian Studies in ministry and public and interpersonal communication with a minor in community leadership and engagement. Although this is his first appearance in a Campbell Theatre Arts production, he has had many theater experiences in public school and community theater. Some of his favorite productions include “Into the Woods” (as the Wolf), “Guys and Dolls” (as Sky Masterson) and “Fiddler on the Roof” (as Motel Kamzoil). In his spare time, Ian likes to be involved in community engagement projects, be in fellowship with friends and practice voice acting.
Avery Browning (Piglet): Avery Browning and her family have always been huge Disney fans. Avery is excited to be able to bring her love for the theater and childrens’ stories to life on stage as her role as Piglet in “Winnie the Pooh.” Avery is a senior at Campbell University pursuing a dual degree in elementary education and theater education. Avery has done a little bit of everything with technical elements and being an actress on the stage. Her favorite role at Campbell has been Sally in “A Charlie Brown Christmas” or “A” in “When She Had Wings.”
Jessica “Grey” Regehr (Kanga): Jessica “Grey” Regehr s honored to tread the boards for the final time at Campbell University. Jessica is a senior general theater major performing in her eighth university show. Her favorite past roles at Campbell include Ouiser Boudreaux in “Steel Magnolias” and Linus in “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” She’d like to thank Ladybug, Nola and her family, friends and professors for their support during her college acting career.
Wesley Wilburn (Owl): Wesley is a theater education senior and is loving every moment of it. Outside of Ellis Theatre, Wesley also likes to work in the Fayetteville theater area like directing summer camp kid shows at Gilbert Theatre in 2022 and performing “Junie B. Jones: The Musical” at various Cumberland County elementary schools with CFRT in 2019. Campbell productions Wesley has been in include, Charlie Brown in “Charlie Brown Christmas Special,” the blind prophet Tiresias in “Antigone” and William Shakespeare in “The Complete History of Theatre, Abridged!”
Natalie Slye (Christopher Robin): Natalie Slye is 21 years old and a theater education major at Campbell University. She has always had a love for the arts, especially theater, and started her passion in middle school in the play “The Christmas Carol” where she played a townsperson with her local theater group. Since then, she has done plays such as “Bye Bye Birdie” and “The Crucible” before attending Campbell University. She has also played roles such as Balas in “The Memo,” Peppermint Patty in “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” Rootie in “Graceland” and “B” in “When She Had Wings” since her transfer to Campbell.
Tyler Yeatts (Roo): Tyler Yeatts is from Garner and started performing in theater during his high school years. He played The Grinch in his junior year of high school and played Jacob Marley in “A Christmas Carol.” He is majoring in broadcasting and electronic media and currently is contemplating either working in radio, sports or television.
Ty Argott (Eeyore): Ty Argott is a sophomore performance major at Campbell University. His previous role was Beau from “Asleep on the Wind.”
Sarah Robertson (Forest Animal): Sarah Robertson is a freshman from Clayton She is an English major who is also considering double majoring in theatre arts with a concentration in performance. This is her first Campbell production. In her spare time, she likes solving puzzles, sword fighting and archery.
Rylee Fields (Forest Animal): Rylee Fields is a freshman at Campbell majoring in theatre arts. Rylee first joined a local young youth theater in the seventh grade and performed throughout high school. She has participated in a combination of about 16 musicals and plays and says performing helped her come out of her shell as a teen.
Jylian Scholl (Forest Animal): Jylian Scholl is a theater management major with a minor in communications. She’s been in musical theater for 10 years — her first show was “Mulan Jr.” She loves to sew, do stage makeup and paint sets.
Laura Trivett (Forest Animal): Laura Trivett is a biochemistry major who plays cello, shoots pool and works out in her spare time. She’s been involved in theater off and on since childhood, and her musicals are her favorite productions. After graduation, she wants to attend medical school and serve in the U.S. Air Force as a neurologist.