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To beat the heat over the summer,
Columbia International University alumna
Courtney Reasoner went under the sea,
hooking the lead role of Ariel in the
Disney musical “The Little Mermaid” at
Columbia’s Town Theater. It was her first
major role in a theatrical performance
since her days as a student with The CIU
Players.
“I was really nervous going into it,”
said the 2016 CIU graduate, “especially
because everybody knows the songs in
‘Little Mermaid’ and automatically have
high expectations.”
Some of Reasoner’s other performances
include “Les Miserables” and “Into
the Woods.” However, the role of Ariel
is her all-time favorite, with the June
production of “Little Mermaid” a success
with every weekend show sold out.
Reasoner’s collegiate introduction to the
stage began under CIU music professors
Dr. Rod Lewis and Alison Branham who
challenged her to grow in all her talents
and study of music.
“When I came to CIU, I just wanted
to sing,” Reasoner said. “But after
studying under my professors, I realized
that I needed to get a grasp of my
instrument, I needed to work hard, to
practice and stretch. They pushed me to
become someone who always strives for
excellence, even when it’s difficult.”
Reasoner looks back on her time at
CIU as a place where she established
what it means to be an entertainer
and a Christian. When deciding what
theatre production to pursue, she looks
for Christian truth in the script, thinks
critically about the message of the show,
and considers the character she may
perform. She also wants her family proud
to see her name among the cast.
Singing “Under the Sea”
CIU Alumna Plays Little Mermaid
“I feel like being a Christian and being
an entertainer actually go hand in hand,”
Reasoner said. “The performances I’m in
typically have a message that is true to
Christianity. For example, the message of
friendship is consistent with the Christian
worldview and a performance like ‘The
Little Mermaid’ makes it relatable to
everyone.
“I wouldn’t pick a show that I would
be ashamed to be in,” Reasoner
continued, “I think that doing music and
performances is all about communication
and relationship with the audience and
the people you’re performing with. I want
to make sure that I’m communicating
truth to them. It’ll look different in every
show but it’ll still be there.”
As for the future, Reasoner continues
to develop her musical abilities as she
considers a future in performance or as a
music teacher. She is open to either path.
“I like acting the most when it’s
combined with music, so musicals have
the biggest draw for me,” Reasoner said.
“I really love to act, but music is my first
passion.”
So either way, by pursuing music,
Reasoner is confident she is fulfilling
God’s call on her life and using the gifts
He gave her.
CIU
News
Courtney Reasoner (‘16) played Ariel and her brother Jeremy Reasoner
(‘15), played Sabastian in “The Little Mermaid.” (Photo: Town Theatre)
The CIU Players Present
“The Matchmaker”
“The Matchmaker,” a classic Broadway
comedy written by Thornton Wilder
was performed over two weekends in
November, including Homecoming
weekend.
“Being in this play has been such a
joy,” said freshman Ireland Kost, who
had a leading role as the character
Ermengarde. “It’s been great to use gifts
God has given me to perform for other
people.”
“I’m not striving for excellence because
I want to, I’m striving because I have to.
This is what I’ve been made to do by
God.”
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CIU Today
Spring 2017
CIU NEWS