The School of Visual and Performing Arts’ swashbuckling cast of “The Pirates of Penzance” transformed Brown Auditorium Thursday and Friday night.

Blake Oden, a biology major, was awarded the lead role of Frederic as a freshman. He’s no stranger to the stage and comes from a family of former ULM actors.

Though involved with other campus organizations, Oden said the biggest challenge was dedicating most of his time to the production, but he didn’t mind because he “loves to perform.”

W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan’s “The Pirates of Penzance” is a popular operetta worldwide that centers on Frederic.

He is apprenticed to pirates as a boy by Ruth, played by Liz Neuberger.

Frederic is “doomed” to remain a pirate until his 21st birthday. The circumstances change, and the audience followed the dilemma that kept him linked to piracy and away from his love, Mabel, played by Sierra Ethridge.

Director Mark Clark, professor of music and acting, wanted a production that would serve the students in the cast and in the audience.

“Pirates of Penzance is a classic show that students should be exposed too,” Clark said.

Clark came to ULM in 2007 to direct this opera. He said he liked this year’s production better because of the cast’s wit and professionalism.

He also said he was “impressed” by the growth of one of his vocal students.

Ethridge said, “He taught me to use everything I have learned technically with my voice to compliment the text and then portray it the way the composer meant for it to be portrayed.”

She said she related to Mabel’s flirty and strong-willed personality.

Dominique Cheffin, junior nursing major, enjoyed watching the interaction between the male and female performers.

“It’s like watching a live movie,” Cheffin said.

The audience roared in laughter at the comedic dialogue between the pirates.

The pirate king, Nathaniel Medlin,  a senior vocal performance major, has played many lead roles during his time at ULM. He said this is one of his favorite shows, and he feels “at home in this genre.” Medlin prepared by learning his character’s mannerisms and the production’s history

Orlandzeo Hennings, also a vocal performance major, said this group of performers was special.

“No one felt entitled to a role, and they were there because they wanted to be,” said Hennings, the “right hand man” to Medlin.

Krista Weems, a sophomore accounting major, said she wanted to come see the show, and getting class credit was just a bonus. Weems said she enjoyed Oden’s “facial expressions and acting,” and Ethridge’s voice was her favorite.

Derle Long, VAPA director, said he was impressed by the crowd’s size and the cast’s talent.

“Live performances used to be the norm of entertainment. We have to pay homage to the opera,” Long said.