Belton, Texas – The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor announces the production of the sixty-ninth annual Easter Pageant on Wednesday, March 12, on campus. This is one week earlier than normal due to Spring Break. There will be three separate performances at 12:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and again at 5:30 p.m., all outdoors in front of the Luther Memorial arches on Vann Circle Drive.

The outdoor reproduction of the Christian Passion Week is free and open to the public. The Easter Pageant, which draws nearly 5,000 people each year, is a student production which is directed, costumed, and performed by university students.

According to Mike McCarthy, director of student activities, “The Easter Pageant is one of UMHB’s time-honored traditions that our students look forward to performing for the community each year. We encourage school teachers and retirement communities to bring their groups to the 12:30 or 3:00 p.m. performance, and for folks who cannot attend until after work, we have a third performance at 5:30 p.m.”

Nearly 200 UMHB students, as well as many children from the community, will be participating in the pageant. The production includes scenes from the life of Christ, such as His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, His trial and crucifixion, and His resurrection and ascension.

Dr. Jerry Bawcom, president of UMHB, chooses an outstanding student each year for the high honor of portraying Jesus. The chosen guy for the role this year is Josh Hobratsch of Walberg.

Daena Yerkes of Huntsville will be the narrator, portraying the mother of Jesus. Yerkes will narrate the pageant from Mary’s perspective of Jesus’ life.

Portraying the disciples will be Zach Clements of Austin as Peter; Zach Raygoza of Cibolo as James, son of Zebedee; Luke Beasley of Red Oak as John; Brandon Brewer from Arlington as Andrew; Colin Bloodworth from Victoria as Bartholomew; Joe Giles of Texas City as James; Ryan Chandler of Hondo as Matthew; Jeremy Kee of Georgetown as Thomas; Wesley Givan of Early as Thaddeus; Anthony Generali of Killeen as Phillip; Patrick McDonald of Burnet as Simon the Zealot; and Jon Gros of Austin as Judas Iscariot.

The Sadducees will be depicted by Ginny Rayfield of Lampasas, Rhiannon Luck of Inez and Christi D’Herde of Hewitt. The Pharisees will be portrayed by Melanie Bailey of Maypearl, Melissa Lansing of Austin, and Raychelle Presley of Highlands. The Herodians will be played by Grace Phillips of Austin and Emma Cortez of San Marcos. Portraying high priest Caiaphas will be Ryan Masters of Dickinson.

The Roman Guards, led by Josh Davis of Gainesville and Ryan Ohendalski of Huntsville, will be depicted by Blake and Preston Smedley of Winnsboro; Josh Woodall of Colorado Springs; CO; Rusty Roper of Josephine; and Dustin Davis of Harker Heights.

Joseph will be played by James Venable of Dumas; Simon the Leper by Jahred Harris of Trenton, NJ; Martha by Courtney Owens of Georgetown; Mary, Martha’s sister by Kaily Luckett of Plano; Lazarus by John Ermis of Westwood; and the Servant Man with the Jug by Brad Norris of Waco. Pilate’s Servant will be played by Brianna Maciel of Waco; Barabbus by John Ermis of Westwood; the Repentant Thief by Jeremy Williams of Waco; the Jeering Thief by Garrett Smith of Canyon; Mary Magdalene by Cynthia Umstattd of Austin; Mary, mother of James by Shana Westbrook of Clifton; Johanna by Katie Smith of La Feria; Salome by Laurel Luedecke of San Antonio; Joseph of Arimathea by Jared Freels of Godley; the Groom by Elliot Powell of Allen; the Bride by Alyssa Atteberry of Austin; the Lame Man by Phillip Welden of San Antonio; the Paralytic by Joseph Cantu of Seguin; the Blind Man by Colton White of Westhoff; the Bleeding Woman by Daphne Davies of Deer Park; the Adulterous Woman by Lindsay Hunt of Lahaina, HI; the Mother by Kelsy Baker of Austin; and the Father by Jeremy Dahlquist of Garland.

Kyle Tubbs of Garland is this year’s Easter Pageant director. Assistant directors are Jennifer Jendrusch of Corpus Christi and Jennifer Deroeck of Round Rock.