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�첥������ student Ashley Dawson shifted from engineering to English after a life-changing theatre class. Now, her original stage production, “The Grizzly Bear of Birds Creek,” is the College’s student-driven season finale production.

“When someone breaks your soul light, how do you put yourself back together?” That’s the question �첥������ student Ashley Dawson poses in her original play, “The Grizzly Bear of Birds Creek,” the 2024–25 student-driven season finale.

The script was written by student Ashley Dawson, who had her sights set on a career in electrical engineering when she enrolled at �첥������. But an introductory theatre class taught by a passionate professor changed the course of her education and her life.

“I needed an elective, and I took Intro to Theatre with Bethany Frank,” recalls Dawson. “The way she talked about theatre and the feelings and growth that writing can invoke … She instilled in me a belief that I can help people deal with difficult topics through my writing.”

Inspired by the class, Dawson made the bold decision to change her major from Engineering to English. Now, as she prepares to graduate in the Spring, Dawson is debuting her first full-length play, “The Grizzly Bear of Birds Creek.”

Welcome to Pendulum

Set in the fictional land of Pendulum, “The Grizzly Bear of Birds Creek” follows Sky, an inmate whose survival depends on a glowing “soul light.” When an encounter with a giant bear named Grizzly shatters her soul light, Sky has just 24 hours to recover it or cease to exist. Her sister, Mel, follows close behind as Sky reunites with old friends, makes questionable decisions, and remembers a past best left forgotten.

Dawson began writing the play nearly two years ago, drawing inspiration from her own relationship with her sister, who was the first person to read it.

“I wrote it and sent the acts one at a time to my sister, who was at a military academy,” Dawson recalls. “She had to wait a month for each new act. I wrote it for her.”

Dawson says the play explores themes of betrayal, loneliness, and hope.

“Relationships are hard. Every relationship in the stage play is complicated,” Dawson says. “But that doesn’t mean we give up on the people we care about. Trusting people and giving our heart to someone is difficult. But that’s what we have to do if we want to keep believing in the world. That’s what this play is about.”

From Screenplay to Stage

Though Dawson originally wrote the story as a screenplay, she was encouraged by �첥������ Coordinator of Theatre Mark Frank to adapt the work for the stage. Dawson says the process of reimagining her script for live performance was a challenge that she fully embraced.

“It was probably the toughest thing I’ve ever done, but also the most rewarding,” Dawson says. “I’ve learned so much that I can take with me into the next phase of my writing career.”

Watching rehearsals unfold has been an emotional experience for Dawson.

“It is breathtaking. The actors are bringing these characters to life in ways I never imagined,” she says. “For example [Eyrin Henningsen] who plays the villain, Andy, added layers I wasn’t expecting, but they fit the character so well.”

As is tradition for �첥������’s season finale production, the play is entirely student driven. Dawson penned the script, and Melanie Torres directs the production. The ensemble cast features Abbey Butler as Sky, Mallory Berry as Mel, Brayden Marchant as Capellini, Kate Staat as Greta, Connor Harris as Bulwark, Mackenzie Boatman as Davis, Emma Dahl as McGuire, Eyrin Henningsen as King Andy, Canyon Garner as Becker the Bird, and Derek Poore and Emily Bruegger sharing the role of the Grizzly Bear. McKenna Greene also serves as an understudy.

The creative team includes student designers: Alondra Busse-Jones (sound), Braydon Richards (props), Dominic Diamond (set and projections), Valentine Tarpley (hair and makeup), Kat Homme (costumes), and Alex Ryals (lighting). Stage management is shared by Alondra Busse-Jones and Canyon Garner.

“The Grizzly Bear of Birds Creek” is an official Associate production entry into the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and will be adjudicated by Alex Webster, Associate Professor of Theatre Technology and Design from Oklahoma Baptist University.

Though Dawson isn’t sure where writing will take her next, she is certain it will always be part of her life.

“I want to make a difference with my writing like Bethany Frank inspired me to. Whether it’s in my career or my spare time, I’ll always be writing,” she says.

�첥������ will present “The Grizzly Bear of Birds Creek” at the Southeast Campus Studio Theatre (Building 6, 10300 E 81st St, Tulsa, OK 74133). Performances are free and open to the public, running April 17–19 at 8 p.m., with a matinee on April 20 at 2 p.m.