The high energy new Young Ambassador show, Heartsongs: Melodies of Love, is performed by 20 stage performers and a 10 member band. (Photo courtesy of Mark Philbrick.)
Love has many forms and faces — this message is clear in BYU's Young Ambassador's new show: love can help overcome any obstacle.
Love has many forms and faces. This message is clear in BYU's Young Ambassador's new show: love can help overcome nay obstacle.
After weeks of rehearsing long hours, the Young Ambassadors have begun to perform their new show, 'Heartsongs: Melodies of Love,' in the local community. The new show has been in the planning stages for about a year, even before the previous show had even finished. Randy Boothe, the director of the BYU Young Ambassadors, talked about what it was that they wanted to communicate with this new show.
'The thought that came to mind was love. If there was ever a need for a greater measure of love in our lives and our relationships, the time is now,' Boothe said. 'We wanted to explore love in all its faces and applications.'
In order to communicate the message of love the cast has been working to put one together, and with that work has come some great bonding.
'They have been some of the most amazing people to work with,' said Austin Hewlett, a junior studying information systems, who is in his first year as a Young Ambassador. 'We all have great trust and confidence in one another.'
Boothe has also noticed great cohesion in this group, pointing out that they seem to feel comfortable in their skin, which he said allows them to be so supportive of one another.
'This particular group is extremely drama free,' Boothe said. 'They are good, hardworking people who really want to do their very best.'
Now in its 44th year, the Young Ambassador's group, which is composed of 20 stage performers, a 10-piece band and nine-person technical crew, has a mission to represent BYU and the LDS Church in a positive light everywhere they go.
'My favorite part of being a Young Ambassador is that (we) are provided lots of opportunities to serve,' said Tanner DeWaal, a commercial music major from Sandy and this year's dance captain. 'When we go on tour it's not as much about the performances; they are a such a small part. We spend a lot of our time visiting rest homes, doing workshops with students and providing any kind of service we can.'
It's this service that makes performing that much more rewarding for the student performers.
In their new show, Heartsongs: Melodies of Love, the Young Ambassadors are exploring the many faces of love. (Photo courtesy of Mark Philbrick.)
'I love the different people that I get to meet after shows,' said Reba Johnson, a senior from South Jordan studying music dance theater. 'I love the opportunity I have to share light through music and bring joy and love to those around me.'
Sharing light and the message of love found in their new show is exactly what the Young Ambassadors hope to do with their new show.
'We are hopeful that audiences leave feeling a little more love with their family, their life and their commitment to make a difference in the lives of others,' Boothe said.
Student performers echoed his sentiment, stating they hoped people would walk away feeling loved and uplifted.
'I want them to walk away feeling that no matter how hard life can get that there's always hope and something to hold onto, and that is love,' Johnson said. 'There are so many different kinds of love that you can rely on. Love can help you overcome anything.'
The new show will perform in Utah several times before being taken to Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia in May. The Young Ambassadors will perform Jan. 14 at the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo and at the LDS Conference Center theater Feb. 14 and 15. Their full performance schedule can be found at BYU's Performing Arts Management webpage or on their Facebook page.