BELTON, Texas — On Wednesday, April 13, the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor will host its 83rd annual Easter Pageant. There will be performances at 12:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 5:30 p.m. in front of Luther Memorial on the UMHB campus. All three performances will be free and open to the public.
The pageant will be available live online on the UMHB Facebook page and at umhb.edu/live.
The Easter Pageant chronicles moments from the Gospel story, including Christ’s triumphal entrance into Jerusalem, the Last Supper, and Christ’s trial by Pontius Pilate, crucifixion, death, and resurrection. This event has become a tradition for many Central Texas families and is expected to attract thousands of visitors.
Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
The production is student-led and features a cast of hundreds of students and children and grandchildren of university students, faculty, and staff. Each year, UMHB President Randy O’Rear selects a student to direct the pageant and two students to play the key roles of Jesus and Mary. Selection of the two roles is based on their strong Christian faith and character.
Evrhett White, a senior marketing major from Portland, Oregon, has served as this year’s pageant’s director. Corinne Donnelly and Dannah Fritschle have served as White’s assistant directors. Donnelly is a junior nursing major from Bel Air, Maryland, and Fritschle is a senior transformational development major from Austin. Seth Brennan is portraying Jesus this year. He is a senior mathematics major from Spring. Taylor Humphrey, a senior elementary education major from Belton, is taking on the role of Mary.
Pageant organizers said the 5:30 p.m. show is usually the most popular, so visitors are encouraged to attend earlier performances if possible. Audiences are also encouraged to bring sunscreen, as umbrellas are prohibited.
The tradition of the annual Easter Pageant at UMHB began in 1940 when it was held during the afternoon on Easter Sunday. At that time, Mary Hardin-Baylor was an all-female campus, so all of the roles were played entirely by women. Over time, the production expanded to include male students and additional performances.
