ENMU briefs - Feb. 9

ENMU spring enrollment up

Eastern New Mexico University’s enrollment for the 2017 spring semester is 5,330.  This is an increase of 40 students (0.8 percent) over last spring’s 5,290 and sets another spring enrollment record for the Portales campus.

“We are always pleased when we set an enrollment record,” said Steven Gamble, ENMU president. “I thank the people who made it happen, including the faculty and staff. It is rewarding to know ENMU continues to grow while other schools struggle.”

Pyrotechnics featured in ENMU’s ‘Pirates of Penzance’

Pyrotechnics including gunpowder flashes, smoke and booms from cannons will be featured when Eastern New Mexico University presents the family musical “The Pirates of Penzance” by Gilbert and Sullivan the last two weekends of February on the mainstage of the University Theatre in Portales. 

Show dates are Feb. 18, 23, 24, 25 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 19 and 26 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $7. Admittance for public school students is $3.

The full-scale production features a “raked” stage rising five feet in the back and sloping toward the audience, imported costumes from China, sword play between police and pirates, a ship moving across stage, projections of exotic scenes behind the actors, giant cloud cacti flying in, pirates walking through the audience and live, bubble-making mermaids among the audience and available for special photos with attendees.

At each Sunday’s performance, a mermaid blanket will be given away.

“Pirates” is a joint collaboration between the departments of theatre and music at ENMU. It features a cast of 24 and full pit orchestra of 12.

Patrick McCreary, ENMU faculty member and professional actor, directs and designed the production.

— Compiled by Staff Writer Eamon Scarbrough