• About
    • About Us
    • What We Cover
  • Advertise
    • Advertise
    • Our Advertisers
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Send News

Oak Ridge Today

  • Home
  • Sign in
  • News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Education
    • Government
    • Health
    • Police and Fire
    • U.S. Department of Energy
    • Weather
  • Sports
    • High School
    • Middle School
    • Recreation
    • Rowing
    • Youth
  • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Dancing
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Premium Content
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds

Oak Ridge Masquers performs ‘Guys and Dolls’ this weekend

Posted at 11:51 am March 7, 2014
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Masquers "Guys and Dolls"

The Oak Ridge High School Masquers’ production of “Guys and Dolls” starts Friday, March 7, and ends Sunday, March 9. Pictured above are Maguire James as Nathan Detroit and Emily Bultman as Adelaide. (Submitted photo)

By Gwendolyn Hay


The Oak Ridge High School Masquers are bringing to life “Guys and Dolls,” which will be presented at the Performing Arts Center at Oak Ridge High School from March 7-9. Directed by Dana Wham, the production is an exciting performance by the cast and crew to finish out their fourth season.

This Damon Runyon story takes place in 1950s New York City and follows Sarah Brown, an object of affection for Sky Masterson, a high-rolling gambler. Masterson must get Brown to agree to go on a date with him to win a $1,000 bet placed with Nathan Detroit, a gambler obsessed with the idea of the next game.

“This will not be your regular ‘high school production,’” said Wham, who has been involved in more than 100 shows in the region. She is the former director for the Knoxville Performing Arts Institute and has worked with multiple area theaters.

Part of what is making this Masquers production unlike any other is that many talented adults have made it a priority to volunteer their time and energy to this production.

“In the past, it was a one- or two-man job, and it was exhausting,”  said Vidal Moreno, faculty sponsor of the Oak Ridge Masquers. “(But now) we are using various talented people in the school and in the community.”

Volunteers from the Oak Ridge community have stepped forward to help make this show a success. Karen Vacaliuc, who is heading up the costuming department, offers up her time to the Masquers because she sees the benefit that the program provides the students that are involved.

“The kids are so thankful for the efforts we volunteers are making,” Vacaliuc said. “It is very much a team effort, and I am grateful for the support.”

In addition to the team building that the production has provided, “Guys and Dolls” is a wonderful example of how the fine arts play a necessary role in students’ lives. Stephen Krempasky, scenic designer, understands the importance of fine arts to these students.

“Art allows the mind to develop new paths to solving problems, and that process can be learned, nurtured, and evolve,” Krempasky said. He volunteers his time to Masquers to help “encourage young talent” throughout the student body.

Not only are the students experiencing a positive outlet, but the entire crew is benefitting from the production. When asked how the actors give back to her, Wham said: “I leave every rehearsal energized by these wonderful human beings. They inspire me in so many ways.”

Jackie Moreno, who heads up the prop department, has helped out with multiple Masquers productions. The enthusiasm that is maintained by the students is something that continues to make the Masquers performances stand out.

“They find talents they didn’t know they had,” Moreno said. “They find a place to plant roots, then they bloom! It’s beautiful to see.”

Tickets for the event will be $7 dollars in advance. At the door, tickets will be $8 for students and $10 for adults. They will be available in the Oak Ridge High School bookkeepers’ office and at the Ferrell Shop, which is located at 235 Jackson Square in Oak Ridge.

Gwendolyn Hay is a junior at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tenn. She is a graduate of Oak Ridge High School.

Note: The first performance is at 7 p.m. Friday. There are also performances at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. See our event posting for more information.

Filed Under: Education, Entertainment, Front Page News, K-12, Theater Tagged With: Damon Runyon, Dana Wham, gambler, Guys and Dolls, Gwendolyn Hay, Jackie Moreno, Masquers, Nathan Detroit, Oak Ridge High School, Oak Ridge Masquers, Performing Arts Center, Sarah Brown, Sky Masterson, Stephen Krempasky, Vidal Moreno

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More Education News

Roane State celebrates construction milestone for new health science campus in west Knoxville 

Submitted Roane State Community College and its nonprofit Foundation hosted a ceremony on July 2, 2024, commemorating a major milestone in the construction of the college’s new Knox Regional Health Science Education … [Read More...]

UCOR awards $45,000 in STEM education mini-grants

Submitted Drones, a manufacturing simulator lab, and hands on meteorology are among the classroom projects that United Cleanup Oak Ridge (UCOR) will fund through its 2024 mini-grants. UCOR awarded $45,000 in … [Read More...]

ORHS graduation could be rescheduled, moved depending upon weather

Rain and thunderstorms are possible Friday and Saturday, and the Oak Ridge High School graduation could be rescheduled or moved depending upon the weather. Oak Ridge Schools announced the plan on Tuesday. ORHS … [Read More...]

School staff not allowed to carry guns

Oak Ridge Schools will not allow teachers and other staff members to carry guns in buildings, Superintendent Bruce Borchers said Wednesday. Borchers made the announcement in a notice sent to school families. His … [Read More...]

Bruce Borchers

Borchers to discuss schools on Tuesday

Oak Ridge Schools Superintendent Bruce Borchers will discuss the state of the schools during a lunchtime meeting on Tuesday. The presentation will be hosted by the League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge. The Lunch with … [Read More...]

More Education

More Entertainment News

Tennis court dances recreate wartime event

Monthly dances by the Manhattan Project National Historical Park recreate the open-air tennis court dances that entertained 75,000 workers and their families in the Secret City during World War II. "Put on your … [Read More...]

Oak Ridge Philharmonia presents two free concerts in August

The Oak Ridge Philharmonia will present two free POPS concerts in August in Oak Ridge and Knoxville. "We hope you can join us for a generous portion of very enjoyable and inspiring music," a press release … [Read More...]

Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival this weekend

The Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival kicks off Friday at the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge with three nationally-known storytellers sharing tales and music that will make you laugh, sing, and learn as you … [Read More...]

Volunteer team plans Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival

Volunteers from civic, charitable, and business organizations throughout the community are planning to welcome three renowned storytellers to Oak Ridge for the June 7 and 8 Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival at the … [Read More...]

Oak Ridge Playhouse offers reimagined ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat’

Oak Ridge Playhouse is closing out its 81st season of shows with an exciting revamp of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s beloved masterpiece, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat," a press release said. It's … [Read More...]

More Entertainment

Recent Posts

  • Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival Announces 2025 Storytellers
  • Laser-Engraved Bricks Will Line Walkway of New Chamber Headquarters
  • Democratic Women’s Club to Discuss Climate Change, Energy and Policy
  • Estate Jewelry Show at Karen’s Jewelers Features Celebrity Jewelry
  • Keri Cagle named new ORAU senior vice president and ORISE director
  • ORAU Annual Giving Campaign exceeds $100,000 goal+ORAU Annual Giving Campaign exceeds $100,000 goal More than $1 million raised in past 10 years benefits United Way and Community Shares Oak Ridge, Tenn. —ORAU exceeded its goal of raising $100,000 in donations as part of its internal annual giving campaign that benefits the United Way and Community Shares nonprofit organizations. ORAU has raised more than $1 million over the past 10 years through this campaign. A total of $126,839 was pledged during the 2024 ORAU Annual Giving Campaign. Employees donate via payroll deduction and could earmark their donation for United Way, Community Shares or both. “ORAU has remained a strong pillar in the community for more than 75 years, and we encourage our employees to consider participating in our annual giving campaign each year to help our less fortunate neighbors in need,” said ORAU President and CEO Andy Page. “Each one of our employees has the power to positively impact the lives of those who need help in the communities where we do business across the country and demonstrate the ORAU way – taking care of each other.” ORAU, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, provides science, health and workforce solutions that address national priorities and serve the public interest. Through our specialized teams of experts and access to a consortium of more than 150 major Ph.D.-granting institutions, ORAU works with federal, state, local and commercial customers to provide innovative scientific and technical solutions and help advance their missions. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Learn more about ORAU at www.orau.org. Learn more about ORAU at www.orau.org. Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakRidgeAssociatedUniversities Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/orau Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orau ###
  • Children’s Museum Gala Celebrates the Rainforest
  • Jim Sears joins ORAU as senior vice president
  • Oak Ridge Housing Authority Receives Funding Assistance of up to $51.8 Million For Renovating Public Housing and Building New Workforce Housing
  • Two fires reported early Friday

Search Oak Ridge Today

Copyright © 2025 Oak Ridge Today