On Wednesday, April 16, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor will host its 75^th Annual Easter Pageant. There will be three performances in front of the Luther Memorial arches on Vann Circle Drive at 12:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. Each of these performances is free and open to the public.
UMHB’s Easter Pageant has become a tradition for many Central Texas families, drawing nearly 5,000 spectators each year. This year more than 240 UMHB students and more than 110 children from the community will participate in the Easter Pageant, making it the largest production in university history.

The production features many moments from the life and ministry of Christ, including His triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, and His trial by Pontius Pilate, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. The production also includes a number of moving musical numbers performed by cast members and the university’s choral ensemble, One Voice.
Each year Dr. Randy O’Rear, president of UMHB, selects one outstanding student for the honor of portraying Jesus. This casting is based less on acting ability than on a strong Christian faith and attitude. This year Karl Baker of Graham, TX, will play Christ. O’Rear also decides which female student will play the role of Mary, mother of Christ. This year, the role went to Esther Gibbs of Rockwall, TX.
The final position selected by O’Rear is that of the pageant’s director, Jason Aleman of Round Rock, TX.
From the beginning, Aleman was determined to steer the year of pageant preparations towards something more than Wednesday’s three performances.
“My focus is not so much on the production itself. It’s on the opportunity to grow the cast through the production,” Aleman said. “I use it as a way to minister not just to those who are going to be watching but to those who are a part of it as well.”
This motivation has driven every step of the production, including casting. Traditionally, the pageant’s director and his or her assistants have made all the casting decisions. This year, however, Aleman and Baker had a meeting to discuss a different way of doing things.
“I wanted him to choose his disciples himself,” Aleman said. “We had very similar visions. We didn’t want him to just pick his friends. Instead, he grabbed a variety of students.”
“Some of them haven’t been as involved in campus activities as others, and some might not have been as strong in their faith as others,” Aleman said. “We wanted a group of men who had the opportunity to grow together.”
After almost a year of preparations, Aleman is looking forward to Wednesday’s performances with mixed emotions.
“Honestly, I’m so excited and nervous, but it’s bittersweet,” Aleman said. “All this work has been for something, and it’s all going to be over at 5:30 Wednesday.”

The 5:30 p.m. show is usually the most popular, so visitors who are able are encouraged to attend the early performances. Audience members are also encouraged to bring sunscreen, but in consideration of others, umbrellas are prohibited.
The tradition of the annual Easter Pageant at UMHB began in 1940 when it was held during the afternoon on Easter Day. At that time, Mary Hardin-Baylor was an all-female campus, so all of the roles were played by women. Over time, the production expanded to include male students and additional performances during the day.

 
The remaining roles will be played by:

DISCIPLES
Peter..................................... Nathan Gillmore
James.................................... Dawson Harmon
John....................................... Tommy Pierce
Andrew.................................. Kyle White
Bartholomew......................... Chandler Hansen
James the Lesser.................... Jayten Ames
Matthew................................ Shane Longoria
Thomas.................................. Kyle Morgan
Thaddeus............................... Alec Lloyd
Phillip .................................... Jonathan Taylor
Simon the Zealot.................... Dominic Rosato
Judas Iscariot.......................... Collin Cavendish
 
NAMED CHARACTER
Joseph................................... Cameron Roucloux
Pontius Pilate......................... Ryan Mitchell
John the Baptist..................... Matt Boden
Martha................................... Haley Dunn
Mary, Martha’s sister............. Morgan Howard
Lazarus................................... Austin Daron
Caiaphas ................................ Jonathan Hanson
Annas.................................... Kelley Clark
Barabbus................................ Andrew Alvarez
Simon the Leper..................... Mitchell Poppenhusen
Mary Magdalene.................... Kate Schladenhauffen
Mary, Mother of James.......... Simone Moreno
Simon of Cyrene..................... Jesse Crider
Joseph of Arimethea.............. Braxton Tucker
Nicodemus............................. Thomas Welle
Angel..................................... Tyler Pate
Jairus..................................... Justis Martinez
Jairus’ Wife............................ Emily Brown
Jairus’ Daughter..................... Bethany Fitzwater
Johanna................................. Sarah Toler
Salome................................... Jennifer Owens
Mary, wife of Clopas............... Jasmine Simmons
Upper Room Man................... Riley Davis
Repentant Thief..................... James Williams
Jeering Thief .......................... Matthew Cranford
Bride...................................... Rylee Heckathorne
Groom................................... Fernando Gutierrez
Blind Man............................... Drew Davies
Leper..................................... Alex Kown
Adulterous Woman................ Britni Marburger
Upper Room Servant Boys...... Liam McCarthy
                                                              & Noah McCarthy
 
PHARISEES................................ Thomas Middleton
                                                                  Quinton Payton
                                                                  Dakota Von Voast
HERODIANS.............................. Gregory Miller
                                                                  Dustin Watts
                                                                  Will Strebeck
SADDUCEES............................... Dakota Jones
                                                                  Josh Bradshaw
                                                                  Jack Strickland
TEMPLE GUARDS....................... Brandon Landrum
                                                                  Nick Brusacoram
                                                                  Seth Michaelson
                                                                  Nathan Forester
ROMAN GUARD CAPTAINS........ Jarren Brown
                                                                  Victor Palma
ROMAN GUARDS...................... Seth Strickland
                                                                  Colton Hedrick
                                                                  Tim Hite
                                                                  Tucker Saxton
TRIAL TESTIMONIES................... Wesley Bailey
                                                                  Will Stence
PETER’S ACCUSERS.................... Rachel Payne
                                                                  Jennifer Ander
                                                                  Ashton Ellegood
MONEY CHANGERS/
SHOP KEEPERS.......................... Trey Johnson
                                                                  Mitch Goodman
                                                                  Isaac Gonzales
                                                                  Reagan Beard
                                                                  Zach Todd
                                                                  Alex Lanoux
ONE VOICE SINGERS.................. Stephen Ash
                                                                  Caroline Brown
                                                                  Julia Brown
                                                                  Kailyn Campbell
                                                                  Cristal Conner
                                                                  Sam Davis
                                                                  Caitlin Hyer
                                                                  Paige Knox
                                                                  Terry Livingston
                                                                  Taylor Lofton
                                                                  Jonathan Mayo
                                                                  Austin Ratliff
                                                                  Brittany Read
                                                                  Elizabeth Schutter
                                                                  Zach Thompson
                                                                  James Williams

Buying, selling and trading in downtown Belton. Come see our vendors and farmer's market in our historic downtown on Central Ave. Enjoy food and entertainment. Every 3rd Saturday of the month.

The Belton Senior Activity Center will be hosting a Health & Wellness Fair on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 from 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM at the Senior Center on 842 S. Mitchell Street in Belton.  Screenings for blood pressure, pulse, oxygen, blood sugar, and much more.  Educational presentations for health services, vendors for all types of services relating to seniors & their health (home health, hospice, assisted living, memory care, health plans).  Information about the Belton Senior Activity Center & the services offered (nutrition & utilities).  Door prizes with drawings every hour.  For additional information call the Senior Center at 254-939-1170 or the Activities Director at 254-718-1859.  For information about other activities, visit the website at www.BeltonSeniorCenter.org.