John Brown University OLIVIA MYERS

Senior Showcase

RYAN RANSDELL, PIANO

April 22, 2021 7:30 PM Berry Performing Arts Center A NOTE FROM OLIVIA Welcome and Hello, my name is Olivia Myers. I must confess that I am a hopeless romantic to my core. Throughout my life, I have gone from one relationship to the next looking for my “One True Love”. During my quest to find “The One”, I have experienced rejection from my first love, being cheated on, and the worst part, losing myself in the process.

And yet, I still believe that the love you see in fairy tales is real.

Like most, I have known some of the harsh realities of being human. My stubbornness has caused me to defy sage advice from those that know and love me. I have ended up in the wrong place, fighting for things that are broken because I imagined I could fix them. I have found myself feeling like I could mend any relationship, and, every time, I ended giving away a piece of my heart that I could never get back.

Feeling alone and completely shattered is not a place I saw myself landing, and yet there I was. Yet, in that moment, I heard God’s voice so clearly:

You are mine. You are my child. I love you. Do not be afraid. I AM with you. I AM, enough.

Through these experiences, I have gained a better understanding of who I am and who I want to be—someone who is strong and courageous. The strength I have found in my voice has helped me see God’s love. His goodness has been witnessed through the people that have supported me in my longing for the next best thing. My friends and family have given me the space to learn from my choices and have pushed me to grow into who I am today. That is why I am so excited to share this story with you this evening. Thank you for being a part of my journey.

PROGRAM

I Don't Know Anything Sara Bareilles (b. 1979) Shawna Hartman, piano

Dream A Little Dream Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt (b. 1910 - 1960) ( b.1904 - 1998) Ben Bishop, guitar

Advice Olivia Myers

Don't Rain On My Parade Jule Styne from Funny Girl (1905 - 1994)

I've Decided to Marry You Steven Lutvak from A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder (b. 1959) Noan Colby, baritone Kendra Jolly, soprano

Gimme Gimme Jeanine Tesori from Thoroughly Modern Millie (b. 1961)

We Do Not Belong Together from Sunday in the Park with George (b. 1930) Noan Colby, baritone

Wherever He Ain't Jerry Herman from Mack and Mabel (1931-2019)

Taylor the Latte Boy Zina Goldrich and (b. 1964) (b. 1967) Baltimore Zina Goldrich and Marcy Heisler (b. 1964) (b. 1967)

Vienna (b. 1949) Connor Klaassen, tenor Red Steps

She Used to Be Mine Sara Bareilles from Waitress the Musical (b.1979) Red Steps

When We're Together Kate Anderson and Elyssa Samsel from Olaf's Frozen Adventure Taryn Morrow Hannah Beth Kline Kendra Jolly Shawna Hartman

You'll Never Walk Alone and Oscar Hammerstein from Carousel (1902 - 1979) (1895 - 1960) Red Steps

Coconut Oil Lizzo (b. 1988) Hannah Bennighoven, flute Red Steps

Red Steps Chloe Bishop, keys Ben Bishop, electric guitar Jacob Ritz, synth and bass Jake Thomas, drums You'll Never Walk Alone

When I was 16, (the same summer I got my braces off) I was in Shrek the Musical. Of course, my whole family came to support me, as well as my Uncle Bob. At the time, he was confined to a wheelchair, but that didn't stop him from showing up. After the show, everyone came to say their congratulations. My uncle rolled up to me, expressed how proud and impressed he was. He then began to tell me about the few musicals he had been in during his time in high school. It was the first time I recall sharing a true connection with him and it meant so much to me.

I had often sung at his home church growing up, and he always made sure to tell me how much he enjoyed the music. He always encouraged me to pursue my love of musical theater and performance. I never got the chance to tell him before he passed that his mutual passion for music meant so much to me.

During the summer of 2020, my Uncle Bob died suddenly of a heart attack. He was an incredible grandfather, uncle, husband, and friend. He didn't say much, but when he did, we listened.

During his funeral they played "You'll Never Walk Alone" from Carousel. It was his favorite. I knew then that I had to incorporate it into my recital. Little did I know, it would serve as the theme song of my project. Even when it's dark and you feel alone, remember to hold your head up high. For there is a light at the end of the tunnel. His name is Jesus. He reminds us that we will never walk alone. For He is with us. Ecclesiastes 3 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time of love, a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart

KJV T H A N K Y O U

There are so many people I'd like to thank. So many people that helped me turn my dreams into a reality.

Of course I'd like to thank John Brown University for their support.

Mrs. Liesl Dromi for being my voice teacher for 8 years. Can you believe it? She is the reason I can get up on a stage and be confident. Mrs. Dromi took an ambitious and raw little girl and gave her skills that will last a lifetime. More than just good voice technique, but how to persevere when life gets hard. When I made a mistake and wanted to give up, she taught me how to just fake it until I make it. To learn from my mistakes and to work hard. You never know how good something can be unless you invest time into it.

There isn't enough space to write all the things I'm thankful for when it comes to you. Thank you for everything you have given me. You taught me to never stop dreaming. That my dreams are not too big if I just work hard enough. Even when I gave up on Broadway for a while, you still believed that I could. Thank you for sharing so many pivotal moments in my life with me. I really don't know where I'd be without all the time you've invested in me.

Ryan Ransdell, for being my accompanist for the same 8 years. For being an incredible support system. For encouraging me before we go out on stage and telling me it will be the best performance yet. To not be nervous because I've got this. Knowing you've got someone like Ryan on your side is a source of confidence and strength unlike anything else. He is so good at his art that you can relax and trust that everything will go magnificently, even if you don't feel like it. Jen Edwards. You are so good at tough love and confronting the hard things. You faced my fears and struggles and pushed me to see truth. Even when I was so close to giving up, you reminded me why I love music and theater. You reminded me to go back to the basics and to just enjoy the process and the ability to be creative.

Jan Lauderdale, you have always been an incredibly bright light in the music department. You faced challenges and still saw the good. You believe in the people and that is a quality I hope to have.

Thank you to Peter Rexford and Bear Klenda for dealing with my big dreams and helping make them happen. I truly couldn't have done this without your help.

Thank you to Ben Choate for building my doors and for getting excited with me about my plans and ideas. You supported me in my big dreams and said "let's do it"! You are a wonderful friend and I've been so fortunate to be able to know you.

Thank you Jacob Marrs for filming and being so wonderful.

Thank you to my family. Mom and Dad. Thank you for believing in me. For always being supportive of my dreams. For taking me to and paying for all my voice lessons and play practices. If you didn't love and support me so well I wouldn't have the guts to pursue such a life- giving passion. Thank you for letting me talk to you at all hours of the day and for pushing me to trust myself and my abilities.

Thank you to my housemates, Kendra, Taryn, HB, and Shawna, for sitting with me in the living room over coffee and letting me talk for hours about my plans and all my excitement. Special thanks to

Connor Klaassen for the wonderful choreography.

Red Steps: Ben Bishop, Chloe Bishop, Jacob Ritz, Jake Thomas

Ensemble Members: Hannah Benninghoven, Noan Colby, Sarah Choate, Cody Hallmark, Shawna Hartman, Kendra Jolly, Connor Klaassen, Hannah-Beth Kline, Oscar Lopez, Taryn Morrow, Matthew Newton

My Dancing Men :) Connor Klaassen, Cody Hallmark, Noan Colby, and Oscar Lopez

Thank you to AVL for all your hard work and time.

AND THANK YOU GOD!!!!!