Gracie Newell helps bring 'The Wild Party' to the stage at Baldwin Wallace University

Dec. 21—BEREA — Gracie Newell, of Norwalk, was part of the cast and crew from Baldwin Wallace University that, under the direction of Victoria Bussert, produced Andrew Lippa's "The Wild Party," a show filled with wildly eccentric characters set in the roaring 1920s with an extraordinary jazz score.

Newell, a graduate of Monroeville High School majoring in theatre design and technical studies, served as properties supervisor in the co-production between the BW Conservatory of Music's music theatre program and the department of theatre and dance.

"The Wild Party" tells the story of lovers Queenie, a vaudeville dancer, and Burrs, an abusive vaudeville clown, who decide to throw the party-to-end-all-parties in their Manhattan apartment. After the arrival of a slew of guests living life on the edge, Queenie's wandering eyes land on a striking man named Black. Burrs' jealousy erupts and sends him into a violent rage. Gun in hand and inhibitions abandoned, Burrs turns on Queenie and Black. The gun gets fired, but who's been shot?

Bussert, who directed the production at BW in 2009, said, "I wanted to challenge our students with a new form of staging. Scenic Designer Jeff Herrmann came up with a brilliant 'alley staging' design where the actual stage cuts down the middle of the theatre with audience seating on either side. The result created a new dynamic between the actors and audience — everyone was essentially a guest of this wild party; this is a huge challenge for student actors, but the time felt right to take it on again."

"The Wild Party" is one of an extensive number of performance experiences providing real-world opportunities for students at Baldwin Wallace University. Productions include plays, musicals, operas, music concerts and dance concerts. Details at bw.edu/events.

Baldwin Wallace University, founded in 1845, was one of the first colleges to admit students without regard to race or gender. An independent, coeducational university of 3,500 students, BW offers coursework in the liberal arts tradition in more than 80 academic areas. Located in Berea, 12 miles from downtown Cleveland, BW offers students the cultural, educational and business advantages of a major metropolitan area.

Capital University aAnnounces President's List honorees for fall 2022

BEXLEY — Capital University is pleased to announce its President's List honorees for the fall 2022 semester.

Kristian Brown, of Berlin Heights

Dezi Hernandez, of Norwalk

Renee House of, Bellevue

Gabby Ledbetter, of New London

Capital has three lists denoting academic distinction among full-time, degree-seeking students: the President's List, Provost's List, and Dean's List. The President's List indicates the highest level of academic distinction. To be named to the President's List, students must have achieved a grade point average of at least 3.85.