KCRep is a team of local artisans, administrative professionals, technicians, and creatives working together to bring you stories rooted in our community; theatre created by and for Kansas Citians. We connect artists and audiences in a welcoming environment that fosters wonder, curiosity, and understanding.
You’re invited to come take a seat, lean forward, and experience the magic of theatre at KCRep!
Then, go behind-the-scenes and discover how the magic was made by following us on social media.
Welcome to Spencer Theatre
PHOTOGRAPHY
You may take photographs inside the theatre before and after performances only. If you post a photo of the set on social media, please add the following credits to your post:
Scenic Design: LEX LIANG
Lighting Design: JACKIE FOX
Note: Videotaping, photography or other video or audio recording of and during this production is strictly prohibited.
Please remember to turn off all cell phones or any other devices that could make noise and distract audience members around you.
Taha Mandviwala as ‘Pi’ and puppeteers Anna Leigh Gortner, Shiloh Goodin and Toussaint Jeanlouis as ‘Richard Parker’ in the National Tour of LIFE OF PI. Photo by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade 2024
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Kansas City Repertory Theatre program guides are a publication of the Performing Arts Division of The Independent magazine. Information in this publication was carefully compiled to ensure accuracy. However, the publisher does not assume responsibility for accuracy. Editorial program content was provided by the Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Copyright by The Independent magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission of the publisher.
VALUES INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY,
CRep is engaged in a deliberate, strategic, and heart-expanding process of educating and involving our board and staff in the important work of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Anti-Racism (IDEA). An all-volunteer committee of staff and board members work to create a more inclusive company culture by identifying barriers and suggesting changes in practice and policy at KCRep.
One of the ways we practice our IDEA values is through a Land Acknowledgment: a formal statement that recognizes and respects Indigenous Peoples as traditional stewards of this land. To recognize the land is an expression of gratitude and appreciation to those whose territory you reside on, a way of showing awareness of Indigenous presence and land rights in everyday life.
EQUITY, AND ANTI-RACISM (IDEA) IN ALL WE DO.
Our Land Acknowledgment
You’ll hear our current land acknowledgment read before the production. This acknowledgment is ever evolving; scan the code above to read it in its latest form. We began developing our land acknowledgment after producing the world premiere of Native American playwright Larissa FastHorse’s What Would Crazy Horse Do in 2017 on our Copaken Stage. As part of our commitment to learning the stories of the people who are native to our area, we are currently working to bring more Indigenous voices to our stages. We have partnered with The Great Plains Theatre Commons (GPCT), Tofte Lakes Center, and Tulsa Artists Fellowship to create the Four Directions Playwright Residency for early career Native playwrights. Last fall, we staged
a reading of Representatives for Those at Peace, a new play by our first Four Directions recipient playwright, Madeline Easley. Additionally, we created the American Crossroads Residency program to highlight local stories and have commissioned Cherokee playwright Mary Kathryn Nagle to write an OriginKC: World Premiere play centered around Indigenous experiences in Kansas City. These residencies are multiyear investments in increasing the number of plays written by Indigenous playwrights that are available to be produced.
Get Involved
Learn more about these programs and the rest of our IDEA initiatives by scanning the QR code above to visit kcrep.org/inclusion — we have compiled a list of local and national resources there that you can use to get involved and further your own learning.
Image: (L-R) Jen Olivares DeLanna Studi, Jennifer Bobiwash, and Jennifer Attocknie in KCRep’s 2023 staged reading of REPRESENTATIVES FOR THOSE AT PEACE. Photo: Don Ipock
Visit the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum to experience Ike and Mamie’s story in their own words.
“Thethinproudest g I can claim is that I am from Abilene.”
- Dwight D. Eisenhower
Best U.S. Small Town to Visit TravelAwaits (2023)
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HISTORY
CRep enters it’s 61st season as source of inspiration to thousands of our nation’s best artists and to millions of Americans in Kansas City and beyond. Missouri Repertory Theatre was founded in 1964 by Dr. Patricia A. McIlrath, who is among a select few pioneers of the regional theater movement who believed that theater could change the world and could change our town. Kansas City’s citizens continue to benefit from Dr. Mac’s passionate commitment to artistic excellence, innovation, education, and community transformation. Under her direction, KC’s theatre fans enjoyed many memorable shows, including an unforgettable 1983 production of The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby. Dr. Mac’s vision for providing professional experience to early career artists continues today through our partnership with UMKC.
Following Dr. Mac’s retirement in 1985, George Keathley was appointed as Artistic Director. During his tenure, and through his partnership with Executive Director James D. Costin, MRT was established as the pinnacle of artistic achievement for local theatre artists, creating a legacy of excellence through work in the civic community and with legendary MRT productions such as Dracula and Richard III.
In 2000, Peter Altman joined MRT as Artistic Director for a seven-year tenure. His vision included laying the groundwork to promote the city more aggressively as a center for nationally recognized theatre artists, and he spearheaded changing the theatre’s name to Kansas City Repertory Theatre in 2006 to help achieve this goal. He also helped create KCRep’s second permanent performance venue, Copaken
Stage, in Kansas City’s downtown Power & Light District.
Eric Rosen was hired as Producing Artistic Director in 2007. During his tenure, he was instrumental in cultivating a national reputation and brand for KCRep and the city as a destination for reimagined classics such as Into the Woods and Evita, and critically acclaimed new works, including Clay, Venice, and Between the Lines
In 2013, KCRep returned to the co-CEO structure when Rosen was partnered with Executive Director Angela Lee Gieras. Together, they led the company through a successful campaign for, and renovation of Spencer Theatre, crafted a five-year, $5 million campaign that increased investment in audiences, new works, and education, and rebranded the organization.
In 2019, director, producer, and educator Stuart Carden joined KCRep as its fifth Artistic Director. Deeply committed to centering KCRep in this region, Stuart believes the arts play a crucial role in strengthening communities. With an eye towards creating transformative theater experiences for all, Stuart brought KCRep productions to the grounds of the World War I Museum and Memorial, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and Roanoke Park. Further expanding our reach, in 2022 Stuart launched KCRep for All, our expansive community tour that takes KCRep to community centers, libraries, and other public spaces all over the region. He strives to provide greater access to our art form and to reflect the passions, curiosities, and stories of the diverse communities that make KC such a vibrant city.
Visit KCRep.org for more info and a list of all KCRep productions.
Stuart Carden
Dr. Mac
Peter Altman
Eric Rosen
James D. Costin (left) & George Keathley
Angela Lee Gieras
CONTACT US | QUESTIONS
Box Office: 816.235.2700
Email: tickets@kcrep.org
SINGLE & SEASON TICKETS
Visit KCRep.org
Call 816.235.2700
Ask about Season Ticket Holder benefits!
BOX OFFICE HOURS
KCRep’s Box Office is open Monday thru Friday, 10am-4pm, and until curtain time on performance days.
ACCESS
Both of KCRep’s theatres — Spencer Theatre and Copaken Stage — are ADA accessible and parking spaces are readily available. Infrared hearing systems and large-print and Braille programs are available free of charge at the lobby coat check counter in both of our theatres. One performance of each show is interpreted in American Sign Language.
Please visit our website at KCRep.org for dates. Live Audio Description may be requested in advance of a production. Please contact the Box Office to learn more.
LATE SEATING
When possible, latecomers will be seated toward the back of the house, at the discretion of KCRep’s House Management staff.
CELL PHONES & CAMERAS
Please turn off all cell phones/ electronic devices during the performance. For the safety of the actors and in accordance with the
GENERAL INFO
rules of Actors’ Equity Association, the use of all cameras and recording devices in the theatre during the performance is strictly prohibited.
VOLUNTEER AT KCREP
Volunteers are the backbone of KCRep, providing valuable services such as ushering and helping with special events. Please call 816.235.2780 if you are interested in joining our volunteer team.
THE MORE THE MERRIER!
Discounts are available for groups of nine or more, and many additional perks are offered, including private party spaces, assistance planning your special group event, and prime seating in the theatre. To schedule an event or for more information, please call Group Sales at 816.235.5771 or email us at tickets@kcrep.org.
EDUCATORS
Are you a teacher interested in bringing your class to a student matinee performance or participating in a custom-designed classroom workshop created around your curriculum? Call Melinda McCrary at 816.235.2707 or email her at mccrarym@kcrep.org for more info.
MAKE A GIFT TODAY!
KCRep is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, which means we rely on the generosity of our fans and friends. If you are inspired by what you see on stage today, please consider making a donation by calling 816.235.5420 or online at KCRep.org/Support
There
BOARD of DIRECTORS
(Listing as of March 31, 2025)
CHAIR
Andrew Kaplan** VICE-CHAIR
Melea McRae**
TREASURER
Mary Cook Jorgenson**
COMMITTEE
CHAIRS Development
Ashlei Holznecht** Endowment
Laura E. Tucker McCubbin**
Executive
Andrew Kaplan**
Finance
Mary Cook Jorgenson**
Governance
Ivan R. Batlle**
Judge Jon R. Gray (Ret.)** Human Resources & Compensation
Kerri S. Reisdorff**
IDEA Committee
Stewart S. Myers** Shawna Roath**
ADVISORY DIRECTORS
Donald J. Hall (1928-2024)
Irvine O. Hockaday, Jr.
John B. Francis (1917-2004)
William C. Nelson (1937-2014)
DIRECTORS
Becky Blades
Andrea Bough
Dr. Jennifer Collier
Bunni Copaken**
Courtney Crappell*
David W. Frantze **
Douglas N. Ghertner
Brett Gray
Laura Hall**
Scott Hall**
Hayley E. Hanson
John H. (Topper) Johntz, Jr.**
Honorary Vice Chair
LaMonica Madden
David R. Morris
Robyn Murphy
Patricia O’Connor
Richard Singleton III
Hillary Stamper
Benjamin Stone, M.D.
Julie Towner
Michelle Webb
Sara E. Welch
DISTINGUISHED DIRECTORS
Debby Ballard
Irvin V. Belzer
Bill Blessing
Scott Boswell
SECRETARY
Chris Hernandez**
Rob Bratcher
Ann King Dickinson (1944-2024)
Courtney Goddard
Deanna Graves
Greg Graves
Nancy P. Hatch
Mike Lochmann
George Shadid
Myra Siegel
Jo Ann Sullivan
Bert Trucksess
Abigail Wendel
DIRECTOR
EMERITI
Emily Ballentine
Thomas R. Brous (1943-2023)
William L. Bruning
Linda Cozad
Barbara Fay
Robert Firnhaber (1935-2024)
Mark S. Gilman
J. Gordon Kingsley
Jeannette Nichols (1925-2024)
Marvin W. Ozley
Sally Rheinfrank
Sally West
*Ex-officio, UMKC **Executive Committee
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR'S NOTE
affections, bad behavior and … dancing to some infectious pop songs.
This is such a fun and audacious adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, written by my dear friend, the brilliant Kate Hamill, and brought to life by the playful and imaginative director, Meredith McDonough.
If you’re familiar with Austen’s world, you already know that you are in for a tangled web of match-making, misunderstandings, romance, and, in this adaptation, the comedy reaches a whole new level with some delicious and hilarious comic roles for women.
Kate Hamill has a talent for honoring classic works while
to Austen’s signature charm, wit and feminist insights. And let’s not forget the strawberry on top — this production features an irresistibly danceable pop soundtrack that has Emma, Mr. Knightley and all the inhabitants of Highbury dancing the night away.
Whether you’re a hopeless romantic or a horrible cynic when it comes to love, there’s something here for everyone. Expect laughter, a whole lot of drama, and characters who will capture your heart — whether they’re making mischief or mending it.
It’s Spring, let’s have some fun!.
Stuart Carden
At Kansas City Repertory Theatre, we believe in the power of performance — and in the power of giving
Join our Legacy Society and ensure that future generations experience transformative theatre at Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Make a planned gift by including us in your will, revocable living trust, or name KCRep as a beneficiary on an IRA, 401(k), life insurance policy, or donor advised fund!
As a member, you will receive invitations to special events and inclusion in our Legacy Society listing. Create a lasting impact for future theatre lovers!
If you’ve already included the theatre in your plans – THANK YOU! Contact Carrie Lenahan at lenahanc@kcrep.org or call 816.235.5420 to be recognized. See a listing of current Legacy Society members on page 77 of this program.
Amari Lewis in KCRep’s 2024 production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS.
You may have seen Robert E. Coppage III in our latest production, Nathan Louis Jackson’s Broke-ology. But did you know that his journey with the show began over a decade ago? Robert’s first experience with Broke-ology was not in an audition, but right where you’re seated — as a high school student attending a KCRep Student Matinee. Your generosity inspires student matinee attendees like Robert, brings KCRep shows to local communities, and more. If you make a gift by May 25th , it will be matched up to $25,000 by our matching gift partner, the Geraldine and R A Barrows Foundation, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee. To double your support, scan the QR code below or see a volunteer in the lobby today!
lighting design JACKIE FOX sound design PALMER HEFFERAN
intimacy consultant JENISE R. COOK dialect coach JILL WALMSLEY ZAGER
assistant sound design PAUL VEDROS casting ANDI MEYER
production stage manager RACHEL M. DYER*
choreography by
assistant stage manager ALEX MURPHY*
EMILY MICHAELS KING
directed by
MEREDITH M c DONOUGH
lead sponsors
RICHARD J. STERN Foundation for the ArtsCommerce Bank, Trustee
SPONSORED BY
WILLIAM T. KEMPER FUND FOR CLASSIC THEATERCommerce Bank, Trustee
EMMA was originally commissioned and produced by Guthrie Theatre, Joseph Haj, Director.
EMMA is presented through special arrangement with and all authorized performance materials are supplied by TRW PLAYS, 1180 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 640, New York, NY 10036. (www.trwplays.com).
Mr. Woodhouse/Mr. Weston ............................................................... MARK ROBBINS*
Miss Bates/Servant VANESSA SEVERO*
UNDERSTUDIES
Understudies never substitute for the listed performers unless a specific announcement is made at the time of the appearance.
For Mr. Knightley: DAVID TOSHIRO CRANE*; For Frank Churchill/Mr. Woodhouse/Mr. Elton: ROSS HELLWIG*; For Harriet: DRI HERNAEZ*; For Jane/Mrs. Weston/ Miss Bates/Mrs. Elton: SHANNA JONES*; For Emma: JULIE POPE*
*Denotes Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
PLACE / TIME
Highbury, England, the early 19th century— but also here, in your theater, right now, today, this year.
EMMA will be performed with one 15-minute intermission.
ADDITIONAL SUPPORT PROVIDED BY PAMELA MILLER & MICHAEL CUMMINGS
Financial assistance for this project has been provided by the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency. This project is supported in part by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts
This theatre operates under an agreement between the League of Resident Theatres and Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
The Director is a member of the STAGE DIRECTORS AND CHOREOGRAPHERS SOCIETY, a national theatrical labor union.
The Scenic, Costume, Lighting and Sound Designers in LORT Theatres are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA-829 IATSE.
Kansas City Repertory Theatre is the professional theatre in residence at UMKC.
2024/25 SEASON
Q: In preparing for this role, did you draw on any inspirations—either from Austen’s original novel, previous adaptations, or real-life figures?
A: I'm happy to say, I drew a great deal from my mother for this! Her intelligence and hyper-focus on projects seems inexhaustible, and it's that dynamic energy that Emma exists in as well. The sheer speed of her mind is endlessly impressive and it’s a quality I try to bring to Emma.
Q & A with AMELIA PEDLOW
Interview by JANA LILES Director of Marketing & Communications
Other inspirations are, honestly, what Alicia Silverstone was able to achieve in the Emma adaptation of “Clueless.” Silverstone brings so much earnestness to the character which is vital so that Emma never seems conniving or illintentioned in her meddling.
And lastly, as always, the comic greats for timing are always in my head during this farce of a play — Madeline Kahn, Carol Burnett, and of course Rosalind Russell and her verbal dexterity.
Q: What is something you think is misunderstood about Emma?
A: I think it's easy to misunderstand that Emma is riddled with doubt — about so so very much - and she spends most of the play trying to silence that doubt by planning and plunging herself into her “work”, but there is a nagging doubt that exists under all of her actions. The bluster and confidence is often just a mask. Kate Hamill (the playwright) allows this subtext to come to the surface more than most adaptations dare and it's thrilling to bring to the role an actor. I think it helps the audience root for and empathize with her more.
Q: If you could give Emma one piece of advice before the play begins, what would it be?
A: Ha,ha! Oh, Lord — “Girl, don't do anything you're about to do!" It could save so many people so much grief — including herself!
But seriously, this is a character who receives sage advice very early on in this piece and blissfully ignores it. We wouldn’t have a fun, funny romp if she listened. But I hope that watching Emma learn through her mistakes is relatable to the audience. Hopefully they can relate about a moment in their own lives where they, with full confidence, took the wrong path, no matter who warned against it. These mistakes make us human, and sometimes they are the only way to find a little wisdom. And I do think Emma finds some wisdom about love by the end of her journey.
Q: What is your favorite thing about performing in front of a live audience?
A: Oh goodness, so much! In a live comedy like Emma where I also get to have Iago-esque direct addresses to the audience, it’s even more fun than most! It’s the greatest feeling on earth making hundreds of strangers laugh. You can feel
the connection, the shared experiences that unite us. A live audience with a comedy also forces the performer to be remarkably honest — falseness is the death of comedy — and that type of accountability leads to the best, deepest acting work.
Q: What's next for you, and how can our patrons follow your journey?
A: I'm not entirely sure what's next! It's a bit of a tricky time in America, and it's affecting every industry differently. I've so enjoyed working in Kansas City, though, so hopefully I'll be back soon to visit the patrons again, eat some excellent barbeque, and enjoy some incredible jazz!
Photo: Amelia Pedlow in Emma by Jamie Kraus Photography. Courtesy of the Denver Center for the Performing Arts.
EMMA CAST
(In Alphabetical Order)
CHIOMA ANYANWU* Mrs. Weston/Mrs. Bates
GRAYSON DeJESUS* Mr. Knightley
AMELIA PEDLOW* Emma
JUSTIN BARRON* Mr. Elton/Mrs. Bates
GALE* Harriet
JULIE POPE* Jane/Mrs. Bates/Servant/ Understudy, Emma
DAVID TOSHIRO CRANE* Frank Churchill/Robert Martin / Servant/ Understudy, Mr. Knightley
HERNAEZ* Mrs. Elton/ Servant/ Understudy, Harriet
ROBBINS* Mr. Woodhouse/ Mr. Weston
UNDERSTUDIES
ROSS HELLWIG* Understudy,FrankChurchill/ Mr. Woodhouse/ Mr. Elton
Miss Bates/Servant
SHANNA JONES* Understudy,Jane/Mrs.Weston/ Miss Bates/Mrs. Elton
* Denotes Members of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors & Stage Managers in the United States.
TALLEY
DRI
MARK
VANESSA SEVERO*
CAST
CHIOMA ANYANWU
(Mrs. Weston) (She/Her) KCRep: Little Shop of Horrors, the ripple, the wave that carried me home, Noises Off!, for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf, School Girls; or, The African Mean Girls Play, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, A Christmas Carol, Antony and Cleopatra (Co- Production, UMKC Theatre). Local: Trouble in Mind, Little Women, Dot, The Pests (Kansas City Actors Theatre); Jesus Christ Superstar (This Happy Breed, The Arts Asylum); Godspell, Hairspray (Starlight Theatre); Doctor Moloch, Backwards Forwards Back, The Revolutionists, The Wolves, Men on Boats, The Mountaintop, Everyday Rapture, Hungry, Pipeline (Unicorn Theatre); Evil Dead the Musical (EGADS! Theatre); 1776, Evita (Music Theatre Heritage). Directing: Pippin, Rent (Avila University); Bomb’itty of Errors (Fishtank Productions); Emotional Creatures (Co-Director, Spinning Tree Theatre). Education: BFA in Theatre Arts, Stephens College; MFA in Acting and Directing, UMKC. AEA Member
JUSTIN BARRON
(Mr. Elton) (He/Him) KCRep: Man in Love, Twelfth Night (US). Local: Native Gardens, Sweat, How to Use a Knife, Nomad Motel, Bernhardt/Hamlet, Informed Consent, Our Black Death, The Ghosts of Lote Bravo
(Unicorn Theatre); Romeo & Juliet, Shakespeare in Love, Hamlet (Heart of America Shakespeare Festival); Sister Act (New Theatre); Guys & Dolls, South Pacific (Musical Theatre Heritage); A Charlie Brown Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Coterie Theatre). Regional: Something’s Afoot (Maples Repertory Theatre); Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Our Town, Guys and Dolls, Reading! and Other Superpowers, Bodyguard! Protector of the Anatomy (Creede Repertory Theatre). Education: BFA, University of Central Missouri. Upcoming: Love’s Labour’s Lost (Heart of America Shakespeare Festival). AEA Member
DAVID TOSHIRO CRANE
(Frank Churchill/Robert Martin/ Understudy, Mr. Knightley) (He/Him) KCRep: debut. Regional: Reefer Madness (LA Revival); The Prince of Egypt, Tuck Everlasting, Miss Bennet, New Works Fests ’17 and ‘18 (Theatreworks Silicon Valley); Don’t Stop Me (World Premiere) (Korsa Musical Theater); Guys and Dolls (SF Playhouse); Vietgone, Miss Bennet (Capitol Stage); 110 in the Shade (Actor’s Co-op of Hollywood); The Glass Menagerie, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Sacramento Theatre Company); West Side Story, Hair, Grease (Mountain Play); Noises Off (Hillbarn Theatre); The Mochi Project (Vacancy Arts Collective); Gandhi (B Street); Next to Normal, Les Miserables (Korsa); Do I Hear a Waltz?
(Musical Theatre Guild); The Sparrow (Coeurage Theatre); Footloose (San Diego Musical Theatre). TV/Film: Straight on Until Morning (CraigO Film); Doubleblind (UCLA Graduate Film Program); Less (Outside Films); Six Degrees with Mike Rowe (Hungry Soldiers Produce); Dropping the Soap (Huge NoHo Productions); countless Buzzfeed Videos (Buzzfeed Films). Education: BA, UCLA Ray Bolger Musical Theatre Conservatory. Instagram: @craviddane davidtcrane.com AEA Member
GRAYSON DeJESUS
(Mr. Knightley) (He/Him) KCRep: debut. Broadway: War Horse (1st National Tour) (Lincoln Center Theater). Regional: The Glass Menagerie, Hamlet (Guthrie Theater); Hamlet, The Importance of Being Earnest, Romeo & Juliet, All’s Well That Ends Well (Santa Cruz Shakespeare); A Christmas Carol (McCarter Theatre); Zoey’s Perfect Wedding (Denver Center for the Performing Arts); Jane Eyre (Hartford Stage, Geva Theatre); Picasso at the Lapin Agile (Longwharf Theater); Pride & Prejudice, Lion In Winter (St. Louis Rep); Native Gardens (Cleveland Playhouse); The Messenger, Lion In Winter (Pioneer Theater); The Importance of Being Earnest. The Tempest, King Lear, Amadeus, The Winter’s Tale, Much Ado About Nothing, Taming of the Shrew, The Country Wife, Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Winter’s Tale (The Old Globe); All Is Bright, Winnemucca (Shelby Company). Film: Kate
Can’t Swim, Thirdy. Television: Law & Order (NBC); High Maintenance (HBO); Sneaky Pete (Amazon Studios); Conviction, Forever (ABC). Education: MFA, University of San Diego/Old Globe. graysondejesus.com
AEA Member
TALLEY GALE
(Harriet) (She/They) KCRep: debut. New York: The Report. Regional: Ken Ludwig’s Moriarty! A New Sherlock Holmes Adventure (Cleveland Play House); The Importance of Being Earnest (Florida Repertory Theater); Primating (Arkansas Repertory Theatre); Hamlet, Love’s Labors Lost, Richard II, Macbeth (The Old Globe); Private Lives, Antony and Cleopatra (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival); Proof (Oldcastle Theatre); This is Our Youth (Steppenwolf Theatre Company). TV: Harlem (Amazon) Evil Lives Here (Investigation Discovery). Education: BFA, Ball State University; MFA, The Old Globe/University of San Diego. talleygale.com theafoundation.org.
AEA Member
DRI HERNAEZ
(Mrs. Elton/Understudy, Harriet)) (She/Her) KCRep: Cyrano de Bergerac, A Christmas Carol, Peter Pan & Wendy. Regional: The Heart Sellers (Theatreworks, Colorado Springs). Local: The Heart Sellers, Poor Clare (The Unicorn Theatre); Gulag Girls (Rising Tide Productions); Princess. Goddess. Witch. Weaver.
EMMA
- Play Reading (InterUrban ArtHouse) Alphabet Soup: Theatre From Queer Voices (Whim Productions); Wheel of Fortune, Crutchie: Go F*ck Yourself (Charolotte Street Foundation - Scratch Night) Film: Once I Was Engaged (Main Dog & Escapology Little Wagon Films) Education: BA in Elementary Education - Minor in Theatre Performance at B.Y.U - Hawai’i. MFA in Acting, University of Missouri - Kansas City Conservatory. Labyrinth Theatre Intensive Ensemble Member 2022
AMELIA PEDLOW
(Emma) New York: The Sign in Sidney Brustein’s Window (BAM); Intelligence (Dutch Kills); The Metromaniacs,’Tis Pity She’s a Whore (Red Bull); Pride & Prejudice (Primary Stages); The Liar, The Heir Apparent (CSC); You Never Can Tell (The Pearl). Regional (select): Emma (world premier Guthrie, Denver Center); POTUS (City Theatre); Scarlet Letter (Two River); Dear Jack, Dear Louise (world premier Arena Stage, George Street); Private Lives (St. Louis Rep); Doubt (Studio Theatre); Red Velvet (Old Globe); Midsummer Night’s Dream, Merchant of Venice (Shakespeare Theatre Company); Ether Dome (La Jolla, Hartford Stage, The Huntington); 39 Steps, The Glass Menagerie, Hamlet (Denver Center); Legacy of Light (Cleveland Playhouse). TV: FBI: Most Wanted, The Good Wife, Blue Bloods, Shades of Blue, The Blacklist. Education: Juilliard. AEA Member
JULIE POPE
(Jane/Understudy, Emma) (She/ Her) KCRep: debut. Local: Newsies, Mamma Mia, Chicago (New Theatre); A Chorus Line, Cabaret (MTH); Legally Blonde (Starlight). Regional: Evil Dead-the Musical (Natl. Tour – Marriott Lincolnshire, Drury Lane, Theatre at the Center, Mason St. Warehouse). International: Tokyo DisneySea, Hongkong Disneyland. TV/Film: Raffle, Earlybird, Nelly Don; The Musical Movie. Education: BFA Western Michigan University. Instagram: juliebee_pope juliepope.me AEA Member
MARK ROBBINS
(Mr. Woodhouse/Mr. Weston) (He/Him) KCRep: Once, Roof of the World, Sticky Traps, Angels in America (Parts I and II), Death of a Salesman, The Mystery of Irma Vep, A Christmas Carol (24 seasons), Oedipus the King (title role), Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure (title role), Circle Mirror Transformation, Bus Stop, The Voysey Inheritance (co-production with ACT), Man and Superman, The Front Page, Guys and Dolls, Saint Joan, King Lear, Julius Caesar, Macbeth, The Winter’s Tale, Major Barbara, The Sea Gull, Inherit the Wind, The Deputy, Crown of Thorn, Taming of the Shrew, Nicholas Nickleby, Hamlet, Twelfth Night, Loose Ends. Local acting: Several roles for Kansas City Actors Theatre, The Living Room, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, New Theatre, Unicorn Theatre, American Heartland Theatre, The Coterie. Local
directing: Unicorn Theatre, Heart of America Shakespeare Festival. Founding member of Kansas City Actors Theatre: directed several productions. Education: BA, Webster College Conservatory; MFA, Wayne State University. AEA Member
VANESSA SEVERO
(Ms. Bates/Servant/Dance Captain) (She/Her) KCRep: Twelfth Night, Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson- Apt 2B, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Frida...A Self Portrait, Sex with Strangers, Vanya, Sonia, Masha, and Spike, A Christmas Story (The Musical), Roof of the World, A Christmas Carol (20092019). Local: Men on Boats, Clean House, The Revolutionists, Venus in Fur (Unicorn Theater); Gypsy (Musical Theater Heritage); The Miracle Worker (Coterie Theatre); Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing (Heart of America Shakespeare Festival) Regional: Frida...A Self Portrait. International: Frida...A Self Portrait. Awards: Kilroys List 2020 (Frida...A Self Portrait); TCG Fox Fellowship Grant 2018; Dramatist Guild Grant 2022; Artist in Residency, Carlsbad, CA- 2021; Artist in Residency, Peoria, AZ -2025. Education: Missouri State University, American Theater Conservatory (San Francisco), Trained and certified Suzuki Method/The Viewpointsunder the direction of Ellen Lauren (SITI Company), 2018. Upcoming: Dracula (KCRep); Shane (Oregon Shakespeare Festival); Frida...A Self Portrait (Milwaukee Repertory Theatre). VanessaSevero.com AEA Member
UNDERSTUDIES
ROSS HELLWIG
(Frank Churchill/Mr. Woodhouse/ Mr. Elton US) (He/Him) KCRep: debut. Local: Rumors, Newsies, Squabbles, Catch Me If You Can, Freaky Friday, The Play That Goes Wrong (New Theatre). Regional: Spinning into Butter (Pittsburgh Public); Vincent in Brixton, Don Juan, Macbeth, Antony & Cleopatra, As You Like It, The Comedy of Errors (The Old Globe); King o’ the Moon (North Coast Rep); RFK: The Journey to Justice (National Tour, LA Theatre Works); Not Medea (B Street Theatre); The Liar, The Lion in Winter, The School for Lies (Ensemble Theatre Company Santa Barbara); Noises Off (Sierra Rep); Crimes of the Heart (Rubicon Theatre); Equivocation, Beau Jest, The Explorer’s Club, Noises Off, Babette’s Feast, Chaps! (Lamb’s Players); Photograph 51 (The Fountain); The Rainmaker (A Noise Within); Private Lives (Pittsburgh Irish & Classical Theatre); The Two Noble Kinsmen, Othello, Love’s Labour’s Lost, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Henry V, Richard III, Measure for Measure, Twelfth Night, Romeo & Juliet, Much Ado About Nothing, The Comedy of Errors, The Winter’s Tale (Kingsmen Shakespeare). International: Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (Vienna’s English Theatre). TV/Film: The Selling (RedWood Pictures); NUMB3RS, Guiding Light (CBS); Law & Order: SVU (NBC) Upcoming: Clue (New Theatre). AEA Member
SHANNA JONES
(Jane/Mrs. Weston/Miss Bates/ Mrs. Elton US) (She/Her) KCRep: Once, Between the Lines, Side by Side by Sondheim, The Diary of Anne Frank, Sunday in the Park with George, Stillwater, Hair: Retrospection, Santaland Diaries, A Christmas Carol. Local: Charlie And The Chocolate Factory (The Coterie) Freaky Friday, Bridesmaids, Mama Mia, Sister Act (New Theatre); Next To Normal (Kansas Repertory Theatre). New York: Phaedra’s Floating Cabaret, Undone, Decline and Fall (New York Theatre Workshop). Regional: Tug of War; Foreign Fire & Civil Strife (Chicago Shakespeare Theatre); Les Misérables (Pioneer Theatre Company); Romeo and Juliet (Utah Shakespearean Festival); Man of La Mancha, Into the Woods, Miracle Worker, 42nd Street, To Kill A Mockingbird (Hale Center Theatre); Saturday’s Voyeur (Salt Lake Acting Company). Education: BFA, Actor Training Program University of Utah. AEA Member
CREATIVE TEAM
KATE HAMILL
(Playwright) Kate Hamill is an actor & playwright. Kate has been one of the most-produced playwrights in America from 2017-2023 and is the most-produced playwright in the country for 2024/25 (tied with Rajiv Joseph). Wall Street Journal Playwright of the Year, 2017; Einhorn Award, 2023. Plays include Pride &
Prejudice at Primary Stages / HVSF (originated role of Lizzy; nominee, OffBroadway Alliance Award), Sense & Sensibility at Bedlam (originated role of Marianne; winner, Off-Broadway Alliance Award; nominee, Drama League Award); Vanity Fair at the Pearl (originated Becky; nominee, Off-Broadway Alliance Award), The Light and the Dark (the Life and Times of Artemisia Gentileschi) at CTC / Primary Stages (originated Artemisia), The Odyssey at A.R.T., Mansfield Park at Northlight, Little Women at Primary Stages & the Jungle, Dracula at Classic Stage Company (originated Renfield), Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson – Apt. 2B at KCRep, The Little Fellow (or: the Queen of Tarts Tells All) at Cygnet Theatre, Emma at the Guthrie; BadAssGalBoss at Primary Stages; The Scarlet Letter at Two River. Other plays include Scrooge for Senate; The Piper (O’Neill Finalist, PlayPenn Fellow), In the Mines (Sundance Finalist), and Murder Play (or: The Aristocrats!). kate-hamill.com
MEREDITH McDONOUGH
(Director) Meredith McDonough was the Associate Artistic Director at Actors Theatre of Louisville for seven seasons, where favorite directing includes Angels in America, Peter and the Starcatcher, and the premieres of Colman Domingo’s Dot, This Random World and Airness. She has done extensive regional work, including the premiere of Kate Hamill’s Emma (Guthrie,
EMMA
Playmakers Rep, Denver Center). Other favorites include the premieres of both Miss Bennett and Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberly (Marin Theatre), The Lily’s Revenge with Taylor Mac (Magic Theatre), Noises Off (Guthrie), Falsettos (Latte Da), The 39 Steps (Denver Center), Fair Use (Steppenwolf), Private Lives and Lifespan of a Fact (St Louis Rep), and the US premiere of NSFW (Roundhouse). She was the Director of New Works at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, the New Works Director for the National Alliance for Musical Theatre and a Drama League Fellow. Education: Northwestern; MFA, UCSD.
LEX LIANG
(Scenic/Costume Design) KCRep: debut. NYC/OffBroadway: 50+ productions. Regional: 200+ productions at Actors Theatre of Louisville; Alliance Theatre; Asolo Repertory Theatre; Cleveland Play House; Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park; Dallas Theater Center; Denver Center; Geva Theatre Center; The Goodman; The Guthrie; La Jolla Playhouse; Long Wharf Theatre; Maltz Jupiter Theatre; Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Paper Mill Playhouse; Pasadena Playhouse; Portland Center Stage; Syracuse Stage; Woolly Mammoth. Other: Founder and owner of LDC Design Associates, an experiential event design and production company in New York City. Recent projects/ clients include Absolut Vodka,
Johnson & Johnson, Invesco, The Kardashians, Tony Awards Gala, NY Fashion Week, NYC Wine & Food Festival, William Hill Winery. lexliang.com Instagram: @MrLexLiang
JACKIE FOX
(Lighting Design) KCRep: debut. Regional: Little Mermaid (CSFAC); POTUS (City Theater); EMMA (DCPA); Helen. (La Mama); Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson - Apt 2B (Dorset Theater Festival); The Oresteia (The Juilliard School); The WOLVES (McCarter Theatre Center); Dear Jack, Dear Louise (Northlight Theatre); UNTOLD PARA/MAR Dance Theatre). Scenic credits: Little Mermaid (CSFAC); Pretty Fire (Omaha Community Playhouse); Pride and Prejudice (Wagon Wheel Theatre). jackiefoxdesigns.com
PALMER HEFFERAN
(Sound Design) KCRep: debut. Broadway: John Proctor Is The Villain (Booth Theatre), Alex Edelman: Just For Us (Hudson Theatre), The Skin of Our Teeth (Tony nom, Lincoln Center); Grand Horizons (Second Stage); The Lifespan of a Fact (Studio 54). Off-Broadway: Liberation, what the end will be, Something Clean, Bobbie Clearly (Roundabout Theatre); Shit. Meet.Fan, Nollywood Dreams, BLKS, Collective Rage, Charm, School Girls (MCC Theater); Teeth (New World Stages, Playwrights Horizons); Long Day’s Journey Into Night (Audible Theater); Merry Wives, shadow/land, Shipwreck, Wild Goose Dreams (The Public Theater); Waiting For
Godot, Fefu and Her Friends (TFANA); Blood Quilt, Flex, Becky Nurse Salem, Marys Seacole (Lincoln Center); The Comeuppance, Fabulation, The Death of the Last Black Man... (Signature Theatre). Awards: Obie Award for Sustained Excellence in Sound Design, American Theatre Wing. Education: MFA, Yale School of Drama. Instagram: @palmzhefferan palmerhefferan.com
BLAINE SHEPHERD
(Wig Design) (He/Him) KC Rep: debut. Wig Design: Sweeney Todd (University of Kansas), Cabaret (Washington University), The Little House on the Prairie (Quincy Community Theater). Costume Design: The Inheritance Part 1 & Part 2 (Unicorn Theater), The Revolutionists (Truman State University), Company (Music Theater Heritage), Camelot (MTH), Little House on the Prairie (QCT), Flora & Ulysses (QCT), Obama-ology (Bay Street Theater), Shrek the Musical (Gladstone Theater in the Park). Assistant Costume Design: American Apollo (Des Moines Metro Opera), Blame it on the Boogie (MTH). Education: MFA in Costume Design & Technology - University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. Instagram: @blaine.shepherd.design
EMILY MICHAELS KING
(Choreographer) (She/Her) KCRep: debut. Regional:
Emma (Guthrie Theater, Denver Center of the Performing Arts, PlayMakers Repertory Company); A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Guthrie Theater); Love’s Labour’s Lost (Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Moving Company); Falsettos (Theater Latte Da). Creation: Magic Girl, Digital, In Person, Chicken Wing, Star Keeper (select solo performance); The Show, Animus, Lewis/Clark (E/D); The Hollow (Trademark Theater); many with Live Action Set. Upcoming: Passion (Theater Latte Da). Education: University of Minnesota; The Ailey School. emilymichaelsking.com
JENISE R. COOK
(Intimacy Consultant) (She/ Her) KCRep: Broke-ology, Twelfth Night. Local: West Side Story, Legally Blonde (Starlight Theatre); Romeo et Juliet (Lyric Opera of Kansas City); Smart People (KCAT); fire work, Refuge, Toni Stone (Unicorn Theatre); Natasha, Pierre, & the Great Comet of 1812, Collective Rage, Spilled Milk (Fishtank Theatre); She Kills Monsters, Romeo & Juliet, Stop Kiss (UCM). Regional: One Shot (Cleveland Playhouse: New Ground Festival); The Handmaid’s Tale Opera, Aida (Glow Lyric Theatre). Education: MFA: University of Missouri, Kansas City. Jenisec.com AEA Member
JILL WALMSLEY ZAGER
(Dialect Coach) (She/Her) l Jill
has served as the Resident Voice, Text and Dialects Coach at The Guthrie and American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. Regionally she has worked at the Marriott Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Steppenwolf Theatre, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Arizona Theatre Company, Drury Lane, and Lyric Opera of Chicago. An actor for over 20 years, she has appeared in over 80 productions. Her positions in academia were Senior Lecturer for the UMN/ Guthrie BFA Actor Training Program, Co-Head of Voice and Dialects for the MFA at the American Conservatory Theater and Head of Voice for the BFA and MFA Actor Training Programs at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. Jill earned her master’s degrees in Voice and Dialects from the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama (London) and Northwestern University.
JEFFREY SALERNO
(Assistant Sound Design) (He/Him) KCRep: Emma. Off Broadway: The Ford/ Hill Project (The Public Theater) Regional: Beautiful, Sweat, Million Dollar Quartet Christmas, Wizard Of Oz, Honky Tonk Angels (Capital Repertory Theater); Indecent, Pippin, Into The Woods, The Agitators, Webster’s Bitch (Playhouse on Park); What The Jews Believe (Berkshire Theater Group). Assistant/ Associate Design: All Nighter,
Space Dogs (MCC); Penelope (Hudson Valley Shakespeare Company); Godspell, Rock and Roll Man (Berkshire Theater Group); Dead Outlaw (Minetta Lane Theater); White Christmas (Papermill Playhouse). Awards: The Agitators, CT Broadway World’s Best Sound Design 2022. Education: B.A., Catawba College. Upcoming: Waitress (Theater By the Sea); Once (Capital Repertory Theater). Affiliations: United Scenic Artists USA 829; Theatrical Sound Designers and Composers Association –TSDCA Instagram: @salernosounddesign jeffreysalerno.com
PAUL VEDROS
(Assistant Sound Design) (He/ Him) KCRep: debut. Local: Doctor Moloch, Poor Clare (Unicorn Theatre); Pirates of Penzance, Vinegar Tom, The Magic Flute (UMKC). Awards: Meritorious Achievement in Sound Design for Vinegar Tom, Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Education: MFA Sound Design, UMKC – Expected Graduation 2025. Upcoming: Love’s Labour’s Lost (Heart of America Shakespeare Festival); The Roommate (KCAT).
ANDI MEYER
(Casting) (She/Her) Based in Osage/Kikapoo/Kansa/Sioux/ Otoe Missouria ancestral territory (Kansas City), Andi is an award-winning Kanaka Maoli/Asian American theatre maker/activist, arts educator, and parent. She is the Producing Artistic Director
EMMA
of Tradewind Arts, a boutique arts organization devoted to illuminating, motivating, and amplifying the voice of Native Hawaiian, Oceanic, and Asian American artists. Andi was a 2017-18 Charlotte Street Foundation (CSF) Studio Resident. Her work has been recognized with support from ArtsKC, TCG, Asian Arts Initiative, The Kauffman Foundation, Charlotte Street Foundation, JOCO libraries, InterUrban ArtHouse, and the Dramatists Guild Fund, as well as two NEA award winning projects in partnership with The Coterie Theatre including Hana’s Suitcase and Justice at War. Andi’s directorial credits include Edith Can Shoot Things and Hit Them for Tradewind Arts; Justice at War at The Coterie; and Nomad Motel and Poor Clare at The Unicorn. She has appeared in productions at The Unicorn Theatre, The New Theatre, The Coterie, The Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Disney’s Spirit of Aloha, with voice and on-camera clients including Hallmark, H&R Block, Sprint, and McDonald’s.
AEA Member
KATJA ZAROLINSKI
(New York Casting) Katja Zarolinski, CSA, is a New Yorkbased casting director handling productions for theater, film and television. Previous theatre casting work includes Broadway, off-Broadway and regional productions including Alley Theatre, Arena Stage, Baltimore Center Stage, Barrington Stage
Company, Cape Playhouse, Contemporary American Theatre Festival, Ensemble Studio Theatre, George Street Playhouse, Guthrie Theater, The Irish Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Mosaic Theater, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, People’s Light, Pittsburgh CLO, PlayMakers Repertory Company, Pittsburgh Public Theatre, Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Signature Theatre, South Coast Repertory, Studio Theatre, Theaterworks Hartford, Virginia Stage Company, and many more. Film credits include Bernard and Huey, Fair Market Value, Senior Moment, Year By The Sea, Child of Grace, My Man Is A Loser, After The Sun Fell, Police State, Stalking the Bogeyman (short). Television credits include Twisted (ABC Family Pilot), Sesame Street, Saint George (NY Casting), and One Night Only (Vevo Pilot)
RACHEL M. DYER
(Production Stage Manager) (She/Her) KCRep: Production Stage Manager: A Christmas Carol (2024), Once, Cyrano de Bergerac, Flood, Twelfth Night, Brother Toad, Man In Love, Lot’s Wife. Assistant Stage Manager: Nina Simone- Four Women, The Old Man and the Old Moon, Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson Apt. 2B, A Christmas Carol (2021-2023 and 20142019). Mary’s Wedding, Fun Home, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Pride & Prejudice, Last Days of Summer, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,
Between the Lines, Side by Side by Sondheim, Evita, The Diary of Anne Frank, Sunday in the Park with George, Hair: Retrospective, An Iliad. Local: Romeo & Juliet (Heart of America Shakespeare Festival); Morning’s at Seven (Kansas City Actors Theatre) Education: BS in Theatre Design and Technology, Northwest Missouri State University. AEA Member
ALEX MURPHY
(Assistant Stage Manager) (He/They). KCRep: Brokeology, A Christmas Carol, Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar & Grill, A Christmas Carol, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Death of a Salesman, The Tallest Tree in the Forest, The Who and the What, The Santaland Diaries, Angels in America, Sticky Traps. Local: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical, Justice at War (Coterie Theatre); Death and the Maiden, A Moon for the Misbegotten, Blithe Spirit, Skylight, Sea Marks, A Lie of the Mind, And Then There Were None, The Realistic Joneses, My Old Lady, I’m Not Rappaort, At Home at the Zoo, The Gin Game (Kansas City Actors Theatre) Touring: The Prom (First National Tour). Off-Broadway: The Harder They Come, Romeo and Bernadette, Two’s a Crowd. Regional: Gem of the
Ocean, The Scarlet Letter, Two Sisters and a Piano, Wine in the Wilderness (Two River Theater); American Prophet (Arena Stage); A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story, Still Ready (Actors Theatre of Louisville); How I Learned What I Learned, An Iliad (Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival). Education: MFA, University of Missouri– Kansas City.
AEA Member
THEATRICAL RIGHTS WORLDWIDE (TRW)
(Licensor) Theatrical Rights Worldwide (TRW), comprised of TRW Musicals, TRW Plays, and TRW Production, was founded in 2006 by Owner and CEO Steve Spiegel. With headquarters in NYC and London and local offices around the world, TRW provides full-service representation on behalf of authors and rightsholders for live-stage performance of their musicals and plays to the global marketplace of school, amateur and professional theatre organizations. The growing TRW Musicals catalog of shows include Jersey Boys, The Prom, The Addams Family, Monty Python’s Spamalot, All Shook Up, Million Dollar Quartet, On Your Feet, Curtains, Ghost The Musical, Bright Star, Ring Of Fire, Memphis The Musical,
The Color Purple, Big Fish, and many more. The TRW Plays catalog of shows include Born With Teeth, Sanctuary City, The Coast Starlight, Barbecue, Zoey’s Perfect Wedding, Dracula, Selling Kabul, Macbitches, Sagittarius Ponderosa, and more, and features esteemed playwrights such as Pulitzer Prize winner Martyna Majok, Matthew López, Kate Hamill, Robert O’Hara, Sophie McIntosh, Keith Bunin, Liz Duffy Adams, Douglas Carter Beane, Sylvia Khoury, and many others.
LIONFISH MUSIC GROUP
(Music Licensor) Lionfish Music is a leading music supervision and clearance company that specializes in providing top-notch music solutions for all your audiovisual projects. Our team of experienced professionals is dedicated to ensuring that productions are brought to life with the best music that perfectly fits the mood and tone of the project. Our mission at Lionfish Music is to provide our clients with the best possible music solutions, delivered with professionalism, efficiency, and a passion for great music.
TEENS AND PRE-TEENS:
KCRep is excited to offer two Summer Camp sessions in July 2025 for middle school (July 7 – 18) and high school-aged teens (July 21 – August 1). Young performers of all experience levels are invited to join us as we celebrate individuality, imagination, and creativity. Learn about Acting, Voice, Movement, Playwriting, and the fun-damentals of theatre from talented Kansas City artists in a
LEADERSHIP
Stuart Carden (He/Him) is in his fifth season as Artistic Director of KCRep. An arts leader, director, deviser, producer, educator and new play specialist, Stuart has worked across the United States building new plays, ensemble generated projects, reimagined classics, multidisciplinary performance, and actor-musician driven theatrical storytelling. Including creating theatrical experiences with The Old Globe, Lyric Opera of Chicago, The Goodman Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre, Actors Theatre of Louisville, The Second City, New
STUART CARDEN
Artistic Director
Victory Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Silk Road Rising, Victory Gardens, People’s Light, Northlight Theatre, The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, ArtsEmerson, The Wallis Annenberg Center, Philadelphia Theatre Company, Chicago Children’s Theatre, Virgin Voyages and PigPen Theatre Co. He is a member of the Society for Stage Directors and Choreographers and represented by Beth Blickers and the Agency for Performing Arts. Stuart is married to public art curator Neysa PageLieberman and dad to eleven-yearold twins, Dashiell and Griffin.
ADMINISTRATION/FINANCE
Director of Finance & Administration
Jared Freemon
Associate Director of Finance
Safiyah Grant
Manager of Information Services
Michelle Blaine
Finance Manager
Caycee Garlow
General Manager
Amy M. Abels Owen
ARTISTIC
Associate Artistic Director
Morgana Wilborn
Associate Artistic DirectorKCRep/UMKC Partnership
Jason Chanos
Artistic Associate/Casting
Andi Meyer
Artistic Manager
Lillian Rider
DEVELOPMENT
Associate Director of Development
Carrie Lenahan
Development Database Manager
Marie Kocher
Grant Writer
Diana Silver
Development Associates
Jenna Nowak
Lauren Peck
EDUCATION/ COMMUNITY PROGRAMS
Director of Education & Community Programs
Melinda McCrary
FRONT OF HOUSE
House Manager
Kelly Cooper
Assistant House Managers
Warren Decker
LaVera Fleeks Snipes
Stage Management
Production Assistant
Addison Price
Stage Carpenter
Luke Habjan
Overhire Carpenter/ Motors Operator
Cameron Smith
Follow Spot Operators
Phoenix Alexander
Emma Price
STAFF
Front of House Staff
Patricia Abts
Justin Balling
Samantha Balling
Dylan Cooper
Linda Fleeks
Cay Fogel
Vanessa Harper
Luigi Muscadin
Mark Noble
Lainey Obenshain
Wyatt Owen
Anthony Snipes
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Director of Marketing & Communications
Jana Liles
Creative Director & Digital Marketing Specialist
Dayna Meyer
Design/Publications Specialist
Thaylia Smith
Social Media Manager & Content Creator
MacKenzie Turner
Public Relations (Press Contact)
Ellen McDonald
Publications Assistant
Tehreem Choudhry
PRODUCTION
Production Manager
Grace Hudson
Associate Production Manager
John Henningsen
Technical Director
W.R. Shinoski
Assistant Technical Director/ Automation
Tom Gault
Scene Shop Foreman
John Owen
Materials Coordinator
Powell Brumm
Head Carpenter
Abbie Hixson
Carpenters
Luke Habjan
Jacob Maher
Griffin Rogers
Properties Director
Jamie Lindemann
Properties Artisans
Taylor Adams
Amaka Maduabuchi
Scenic Art Director
Shiloah Frederick
Scenic Artists
Adam Hooper
Costume Shop Manager
Jenny Green
Assistant Costume Shop Manager
Mary Caitland Williams
Wardrobe Supervisor
Marianne S. Rowse
Craftsperson/Stitcher
Joey Gee
Cutter/Draper
Jana Jessee
Lighting & Projections
Co-Directors
Michael Esposito
Shayna Phillips
Production Electricians
Phoenix Alexander
Reina Makimura
Director, Sound & Technology
Anakin Garner
Head Audio Technician
Gianna Agostino
Audio Technician
Samy Toskin
TICKETING SERVICES
Manager, Ticketing Services
Karl Annable
Associate Manager, Ticketing Services/Group Sales
Gwen DeLaney
Ticketing Services Representatives
Tehreem Chaudhry
Andrew Fogel
Justin Gannaway
Amanda Schuster
Cedar Valdez
PRODUCTION CREW: EMMA
Overhire Paint
Bethany Elliott
Lighting Board Operator
Reina Makimura
Audio Board Operator (A1)
Gianna Agostino
Production Audio Technician
Samy Toskin
Run Crew
Grace Laughton
Meg McSweeney
Swing Crew
Francis Cooper
Wardrobe Supervisor
Marianne S. Rowse
Swing Dresser
Knox McClendon
Overhire Stitchers
Kathy Bradford
Justin Gannaway
David Krom
Wardrobe Crew
Sadie Carlson
Alice Crist
Marianna Flores
Justin Gannaway
Chelli Tillman
Hope Beyond Hunger.
Addiction. Homelessness.
Scan the QR code to learn more about their story. Needs Met. Lives Transformed. Hope Lives Here.
Fewer Treatments. Better Outcomes.
The future of cancer care is here. The AdventHealth Cancer Institute will be the first and only health care provider in Kansas City to perform MRI-Guided Radiation. This advanced therapy allows us to see tumors as we treat them, resulting in pinpoint precision, fewer treatments, reduced side effects and better outcomes.
STUDENTS
“I was very amazed by the performance — the play was very cool and funny. The person who was playing the plant had amazing vocals and the other actors also did a great job. “
— Middle school student, Little Shop of Horrors
“It is wonderful to have live theater opportunities such as this one. The debate at the end of the play was extraordinary, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Thank you for the overall experience.”
— High School Student, What the Constitution Means to Me
Kicking off our 2023/24 season last summer with enthusiasm, creativity and buckets of strong talent was our 7th Summer Youth Theatre Ensemble, a free program for high schoolers. Young artists put their hearts and minds together over the four weeks (20 days!) devising, writing, moving, discussing, exploring, and collaborating to create their own original play, Here/After. The piece, both moving and hilarious, traveled to an afterlife during which characters worked to make a pitch to return to life on earth. Selfunderstanding was key and the revelations were meaningful. Led by teaching artists Raz, Sam, Em and Auryona, their final show was exceptional, joyfully-built, and a wonderful way to cap off our signature summer depth program.
Across our season we hosted over 7,500 young people — 2nd graders through college students, and their chaperones — from all over the region to our productions
STUDENTS & EDUCATION
“My students LOVED Nina! It definitely provoked a lot of great conversations once we got back to school. ”
— High School Teacher
Nina Simone: Four Women
“SYTE lets us be free and open with our thoughts and feelings. Together, we put those thoughts and feelings into a play that’s enjoyable for us and the audience. We’re all also able to connect pretty fast because of our similar interests and ideas.”
— SYTE High School Student
at a morning matinee. Close to 40% of those young people saw the play via our STARS program which offers fully free or discounted tickets. At each performance, the building shakes at the curtain calls as young people passionately applaud the stories which are now theirs forever.
Theatre director Kenny Leon said, “I’m looking for the day when every child in America can have a little piece of theatre in their daily educational lives.” This is a simple wish; a clear and joyful one towards which we work all season. Help us keep our education/ engagement work flying high! Smart, growing and vital to today’s community.
To learn more about our programs, at the theatre or at your site, or how to support them, reach out to Melinda, Director of Education, at mccrarym@kcrep.org.
Photo Credits (clockwise from top left) Melinda McCrary, Teonna Wesley, Melinda McCrary, Don Ipock, Tionna Wesley, Don Ipock.
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Jeffrey Adams
Season Opener with pianist Behzod Abduraimov in collaboration with Park University ICM SEPT. 20, 2024
Ingrid Stölzel: A Musical Portrait OCT. 12, 2024
Thanksgiving with NAVO NOV. 30, 2024
NAVO Chamber Orchestra with pianist Steven Spooner and violinist Véronique Mathieu
FEB. 22, 2025
The Art of Cello with Daniel Veis MAR. 22, 2025
Frontier String Quartet APR. 2025
Season Finale Fest with violinist Maria Ioudenitch MAY 7, 9, 11, 2025 TENTH ANNIVERSARY SEASON 2024 - 2025
THEATRE FOR ALL —
FROM OUR STAGES TO OUR COMMUNITIES,
KCRep supporters are at the heart of all that we do.
Any way you support KCRep — with a production sponsorship, a scholarship gift through our STARS (Support the ARTs in Schools) program, or an operating gift — you make world-class productions, Student Matinees, Summer Theatre Camp, the KCRep For All Community Tour, and much more available to everyone in Kansas City.
In gratitude of your support, KCRep offers a variety of donor benefits, including sponsor recognition and exclusive events. Explore donor benefits for each giving level at kcrep.org/donor-sponsorshipbenefits.
2024-2025 Signature Series:
Fri. Oct. 11th, 7pm UNFORGETTABLE
ft. Sachal Vascandani
Sat., Nov. 16th, 7pm BRIGHT SIZE LIFE
ft. Rod Fleeman
Tues., Dec. 10th, 7pm A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS
Selections from Charlie
Sat., March 1st, 7pm ALWAYS & FOREVER
ft. Brenna Whitaker Visit KCJO.org for ticket information
ft. Lucy and Bram Wijnands
Sat., April 5th, 7pm LEVEL UP!
Selections from Classic Video
Sat., May 31st, 7pm GLAMOUR OF OLD HOLLYWOOD
2024-2025 Concerts Including Works of Brahms, Parry, Rachmaninoff, Holst and many others along with American spirituals and gospels 2025 performance of Bach's immortal MASS IN B MINOR with chamber orchestra and soloists
PARK UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL CENTER FOR MUSIC
When Stanislav loudenitch first started the Park International Center for Music, he began with a simple concept. Find exceptional music teachers, and give them the time, tools, focus, and dedication needed to transform exceptional students into masters themselves. An internationally-recognized Van Cliburn gold medalist, Ioudenitch assembled a team that shared his world-class skills and his passion for teaching. Other outstanding programs have great master instructors. But no other American conservatory lets those masters devote the time to their students like they do at Park ICM.
Come experience the birth of our international stars. Visit ICM.PARK.EDU for our concert schedule today.
Stanislav loudenitch Artistic Director /Piano Studio
Ben Sayevich Violin Studio
Daniel Veis Cello Studio
Peter Chun Viola Studio
CONTRIBUTORS
2024/25 SEASON UNDERWRITERS
ANNUAL SUPPORTERS
Kansas City Repertory Theatre is grateful for the charitable contributions of the many donors who help make our productions, community outreach programs, and youth education programs possible. The following list represents annual and event support as of MARCH 28, 2025.
$50,000+
Copaken Family Foundation
The Hearst Foundations
R & C Charitable Foundation
Victor E. and Caroline E. Schutte Foundation 1959, John Aisenbrey, John Davis, and David W. Frantze Trustees *
Richard J. Stern
Foundation for the ArtsCommerce Bank, Trustee *
$25,000 - $49,999
Anonymous * (2)
E. Kemper Carter & Anna Curry Carter
Community Memorial Trust, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee
Ellen & Irv Hockaday *
Linda & Topper Johntz *
Enid & Crosby Kemper
Charitable Foundation, UMB Bank, n.a., Trustee
Miller Nichols Charitable Foundation *
Pemberton Family
Charitable Foundation
Jessica & Matt Ralston
$10,000 - $24,999
American Century Investments Foundation
Anonymous
Lynn Badaracco &
Dwight Quiring
Ivan & Karla Batlle *
Becky Blades
Abe & Anna Bograd
Memorial Trust
Pete B. Browne &
Julie Walker Browne
Herb & Bonnie Buchbinder
Donor Advisory Fund *
Burns & McDonnell *
Harper Rebecca Coulson
Louetta M. Cowden FoundationBank of America, Trustee
The DeBruce Foundation
Brad & Linda Finkle
Francis Family Foundation, discretionary of David & Janis Francis *
Dave & Geri Frantze
Arvin Gottlieb
Charitable Foundation, Peter W. Brown, Barton J. Cohen, UMB Bank, n.a. Trustees *
The H&R Block Foundation
H&R Block *
Nancy P. & Robert W. Hatch *
Health Forward Foundation
Judy O. Kirk Charitable Fund
Kissick Construction Company
Frank & Margaret G. McGee
Fund
David R. Morris
J. B. Reynolds Foundation *
JoMarie Scaglia
Marny & John Sherman
The Sosland Foundation *
Jo Ann & William D. Sullivan *
UMB Financial Corporation
US Bank *
Sara E. Welch *
Wylie Foundation
$5,000 - $9,999
Anonymous
Chris & Sharon Baxter
Marcia H. Bailey *
Anne & Bill Blessing *
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas City
The Breidenthal-Snyder Foundation
Wendy & Grant Burcham
Kay & John Callison *
Virginia & Charles Clark *
Ron & Kim Coker
Melanie Coleman & Todd Gafney
Commerce Bank
CommunityAmerica
Credit Union
Country Club Bank
Rick & Barbie Dierks *
Steve & Cathy Doyal
Evergy
First Business Bank
Graceland University/ Kristi Hettrick & Alan Waterman
Deanna & Greg Graves
Judge Jon R. Gray (Ret.) & Dr. Valerie E. Chow
Sharon & Donald F. Greenwood, Jr.
Carla Griffin
Laura & David Hall *
Hayley E. Hanson & Todd McGuire
Joan Horan
Husch Blackwell LLP
JE Dunn Construction Company
Mary & Mark Jorgenson
Andrew & Sheryl Kaplan
Kornitzer Capital Management, Inc.
Carol & John Kornitzer
KPMG, LLP *
Robb Krumlauf & Leanne Wiedemann
Mike & Candis Lochmann *
William J. & Frances Lynn *
McCownGordon
Construction Co.
Renita Mollman
Scott A. Moore
Barbara & Bill Nelson Foundation *
Graham & Margot Nelson
Oppenstein Brothers FoundationCommerce Bank, Trustee
Debra & Allen Parmet
Polsinelli PC
Jami & Fred Pryor
Seaboard Corporation
Stark Wolkoff Foundation
Stinson LLP *
Donna Thomason
Jayhawk Primary Care at The University of Kansas
Health System
VanTrust Real Estate
Thomas & Sally Wood
Family Foundation
$2,500 - $4,999
James & Mary Jennifer Amato
American Century Investments (matching gift)
Anonymous * (2)
Jeff Anthony & Susann Ogg
Dick & Emily Ballentine *
G. Kenneth and Ann Baum
Philanthropic FundAnn Kaufmann Baum *
Jamey Bertram
BlueScope *
Darin Brickman
James Butler
Bryan & Justina Canzoneri
Centric Projects
Craig Coen & Jeffrey Bellamy
James & Ellen Copaken
Fred & Lucy Coulson
Crux KC LLC
Tom & Margaret Cummings *
Joel DeBoer
Melanie & Mike Fenske
Kenneth & Vanessa Ferguson
Paul & Stacey Fischer
Douglas & Ann Ghertner *
Angela & John Gieras
Scott & Suzy Hall
Shirley & Barnett C. Helzberg, Jr.
Chris Hernandez & Paul Monteil
Shawn & Melissa Hickey
Ryan Holmes
Edward & Camille Honesty
Coleen & Chris Hotop
Patrick Hughes, MD
Steven Irwin
Laurie & Chuck Jarrett
Scott & Kelly Jeffcote
Nancy L. Kain *
Carol & Fred Logan
Beth & Gregg Lombardi
R. A. Long Foundation
Lauren E. Tucker McCubbin & Gabe McCubbin
Pamela Miller & Michael Cummings
Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund
Paul John Odum
John & Shari Olander
Diane & John R. Phillips
Joseph Podrebarac
Hillary Stamper & Katie Dunn
Drs. Jessica & Benjamin Stone
Mark & Dette Swanson
Towner Communications
Julie Stotlar-Towner
Ratana & Oscar Tshibanda
Veracity Consulting, Inc
Nancy J. Viets *
Brenda & Brett Williams
George & Beverley Wilson
$1,500 - $2,499
Anonymous (2)
Ken & Sharon Bowman
* Shooting Stars — Donors of 10 or more consecutive years
Jerry & Meghan Carpenter
Jon & Shelley Copaken
Dunn Family Foundation
FCI Advisors
Donald J. Hall *
Amy & Paul Holewinski
Ashlei & Charles Holznecht
The Ingram Family Foundation *
Joy & Jerry Kaplan *
Bridgette & Jason Kling
Regina & Bill Kort
Kathy & Craig Laursen
Brandon & Melissa McManamy
Marshall Miller
Stewart & Debbie Myers
Matt Nordhus
Patricia O'Connor
Lisa & Charles Schellhorn *
Joe & Susan Sims
Juliette & Ian Singer
Richard Singleton III
Lynne & Carl Weilert
$1,000 - $1,499
Anonymous
Nathan & Margaret
Benjamin
Terry & Bill Biggins
William L. Bruning
Gerry & Judy Bukowski
Timothy & Jessie Burkhalter
Michael & Karmel
Carothers
Jennifer Collier
Denise Dowd & Jill Burton
Christie & Timothy Geier-Pratt
Stephen & Patricia Gound
Family Foundation
Michael & Kathryn Harvel
Marc & Nina Hollabaugh
Kim Jones
Doug Kallenberger & Lynn Blixrud
Mr. & Mrs. William S. Kanter
Brian Kaufman
Meg Winslow Maffitt
McQuaid Brothers
William Moran
Sara & David O'Connell/ What Matters 2 Us Fund *
John & Kendal Orlowski
Janet & Jack Podoll
William & Stacy Pratt
Joe & Lainey Puglisi
Rick & Tanya Ratliff
Damon & Shawna Roath
Holly Streeter-Schaefer & Ken Schaefer
Lindsey Patterson Smith
Brad & Gisele Sprong
Tension Envelope
Foundation
Deb & Paul Turpin
Leeann & Mark Van Dyne
Kathryn Welch & John Wright
CONTRIBUTORS
Molly & Steve Wendland
Audrey & Thomas Wiegmann
C. Stephen Metzler &
Brian D. Williams Fund *
Jon Wright
Christine Yannitelli & Dennis Manske * $500 - $999
Anonymous
David & Maryanna Adelman
Ellen & John Aisenbrey *
Joel & Elizabeth Allen
Debby & Gary Ballard
Ken Barnes & Abby Mocek
Sherrie Bell
Robert H. & Kathleen M. Bender *
Cathi & David Brain
Bob & Karen Brush *
Cindie & Bob Buchanan
Robert Butcher & Madelyn Rudd
Arden & Mary Ann Carr *
James & Linda Cole
Kit & Jay Culver *
Deborah Dibal & William Caster
David Douglass
Omar Farias
Sandi & Ed Fried
Al Geritz & Dick Leeson
Brett Gerstenberger
Chris Glissman *
Keith Goering & Mary Ann Dvorcheck *
Brett Gray
Anita Toby Grow
Dennis & Donna Haines *
Cathi & Thomas
Halberstadt
Eileen Hand
Amy & Nate Harris
Bill & Irma Lou Hirsch *
Blair & Lyn Hosford *
Carol & Dennis Hudson
Jackson County, MO
Melissa Jaramillo
John & Elaine Jepson * Arlen & Patricia Johnson
Dennis Johnson
Gary Neal Johnson & Lynne Beachner
Shannon & Brent Johnson
Clayton & Anne Johnston
Luke & Taylor Joliff
Buddy & Carolyn Jones
John Keddy
Donny & Connie King
Stacy King
Rev. Susan Langhauser *
Willie & Sandra Lawrence
Elizabeth R. Lesan & Katsuyoshi Nishimoto
Liz & Warren Lewis
Ashley & Phil Mason
Alan & Judy Michelson
Joel & Helen Miller
The Milligan Family
Mark & Janette Morgan
Sheryll & Thomas Myers
Carl & Pam Nitsche / Nitsche DAF
Mark & Lynne O'Connell
Patrick O'Rourke
Scott & Robin Page
George & Wendy Powell *
Maggie Presson *
Benjamin Randell
Kerri Reisdorff
Robert Riccardi
Mark & Janice Schonwetter
Lindsay & Matt Severns
George & Lisa Shadid *
Stan & Linda Shipman
Myra & Lester Siegel, Jr. *
Angela Andresen Smart
Carol Sokolenko
Nicolas Stefanescu
Kitty Steffens
Sterneck Capital Foundation
Charles Sun
Jason & Libby Thomas
Russ & Maralee Thompson
William & Nancy Topper *
Rev. Paul Turner *
Two West Advisors
Barbara McMahon & Dennis Varble
Marsha & Joel Voran
Michael & Miranda Wagner
Susan & Jason Waldron
Michelle & Cornell Webb
Richard Wetzel
Diane & Roy Whitley *
Teddi Wolff
Debra S. Wood
$250 - $499
Marilyn & Chris Anderson
Kathy Anderson
Anonymous
Nancy Artzer
Aimee Asbury & Richard S. Starks II
Diane & Steve Azorsky
Edward & Linda Balzano
Riki Barr
Jolynn Bartolotta
Brian & Jessica Best
Stewart
Ken & Jill Biesma
Charles R. Bise Jr.
Amy Black
Fred & Cindy Bodker
Dan & Jobeth Bradbury
Sue & George Brandt
Patrick & Thaylia Smith
Conway
Sarah & Clayton Cook *
Cathy Cooney
Betty Ann Cortelyou
Edmund P. & Donna J.
Cytacki
Don & Pat Dagenais
Dominique Davison
Amy & Jared Dirks
Mike & Elizabeth Disilvestro
Durkee Family Foundation *
Janann B. Eldredge
EPR Properties
Nancy Eslinger
Barbara Fay
Margaret Fishback
Randy Fowler
Chris & Julia Frantze
Alberzine & Abby Freeman
Jeff & Mary Fromm
Scott Giffen
Dr. James & Christine
Morgan Glenski
Ronald & Susan Goldsmith
Philanthropic Fund *
Allen & Gail Gutovitz
Charitable Fund *
John & Bernice Hamra
Foundation
Grant & Claire Harrison
Joan L. Hartung
Richard & Julie Hellman *
Sarah Hoestje
Mary & Eric Honour
Jennifer & Jason Ingraham *
Nathan & Megan Jackson
Paul & Connie Kamps
Jay & Ann Kinnamon
Chad A. Kirby
Marli Klumb
Patricia Konopka
George Krebs
Jane & Bruce Kunz
Eric & Emily Larson
Simon Lee
Troy Lillebo & Brian Ellison *
Sam Logan
Felicia & Venne Londre
Debra & John Mahoney
Timothy J. Marchesi & John D. Lawrence / DeMarche
Gregory Massman
Robert & Heather
Maynard
Laurie McCormack
Virginia Miller
Koi Morford
Laura & Andy Muir
David Nelson & Angela Turpin
Jane & Charles Olsen
Alexander Ong
Candice Petersonmoon
Carolyn Phelps
Mary Ann Pinkerton
Julie Polkinghorn
Brittany & Michael Remmert
Charles & Cristine Roberts *
Tom & Cynthia Ryan
Richard & Erin Sack
Diana Sadler
Mary Schindler
Jack & Errett Schmid
James & Kathy Sear *
Vicki & Thomas Smith
Linda S. Stevens
Phyllis Stevens
Chris & Brooke Sweeney
Kurtis L. Thiel
William & Elizabeth
Thomas, Jr.
Laura Thornhill
Mark Thornhill & Maria Donigan
Bert & Sue Trucksess *
Eileen and Tom Weir
Ms. Barbara Wells
Melissa & Cyril Welter
Anne & Keith Wiedenkeller
Vanessa Williams
Beverly Williamson
Mr. Stephen & Martha Williamson
Elizabeth Hartley Winetroub
John R. Wise
Michael Wright & Christa Cavanaugh *
Dr. & Mrs. John S. Yungmeyer
Damon & Patricia Yurchak
Cathy Zitnik
$100 - $249
Anonymous (3)
Kristina & Matt Aberle
Kathryn & Chris Allen
Pat & Lauren Amey
Valerie & Mark Andruss
Joseph Archias
Barbara & Richard Atlas *
Sonny Aust & Lauren Aust-Yen
Linda & Erik Avery
Jean & Robert Ayres
Bob & Bridget Bagby
Laura & Nate Baldwin
Katherine & Larry Barnhart
Bradley & Wendy Barth
Heather Bath
Andrea & Will Becker
Michael Beers
Irv Belzer & Sue McCord-Belzer *
Kimberly Benjamin
Jeffrey J. Bentley
Cindy & Ted Berard
Linda Birkenmeier
Linda & Bruce Blazek
Emily & Rick Boeshaar
Eileen Boster
John & Marge Bott
Robert Boydston
Larry Braddy
Kathleen Bradford
Linda & Gus Breytspraak
Charles & Deb Brook
Mary Lou & Tom Brous *
Cherie & David Brown
David Brown
Tom & Cherie Brown
Stephen & Carolyn Brown
Matthew Brumleve
Patricia E. Cleary Miller, Ph.D.
Denton Donor Fund
Kath Stanley
* Shooting Stars — Donors of 10 or more consecutive years
Patricia Burkhead
Stephen Butland
Janet Buttery
Melonee Cain
Margaret Calhoun
Stuart Carden & Neysa Page-Lieberman
Greg & Ann Carlson
Karen Cartlidge
Kenda Caskey
Melissa & Nial Champ
Jessica & Jason Chanos
Susan Clevenger
Lupe & Greg Clouse
Jessica Colby
Meredith Collins
Michael Collins
Martha Comment
Joe Constantino
Larry Cork
Alison Coulson
Jody & Bill Craig
Roberta Cronk
Robert & Nicolette Croskell
Kymberli Cutler
John G. Daniel
Sean Daniels
Cara David
Robert Denzel
Kara & Andrew Doak
Dennis L. Dobson
Brad Douglas
Tim & Trisha Drape
Barry & Marilyn Dryer
Family of Eric & Katie Dufur
Katie Dunn
Dr. Kristin M. Easley
Dustin Ebaugh & Kirissa Shipp
Susan & Jared Ebel
Steven & Leigh Eck
Cindy & David Edgington
Dwight & Teri Elliott
Kristen Ellis Johnson
David M. Emerick
Douglas & Chris Fain
Sandy Feaker
Iman Fennell
Susan Fershee
Patricia Fitzpatrick
Whitney Skye Flaska
Mick & Denise Fletcher
Karen Squires Foelsch
Dr. Alan & Cathy Foster
Dianne & R. Dennis Fowler
Kelly & Michael Fowler
Mark & Sandi Fowler *
Laura & Colin Gage
Sondra Gale
Sidonie Garrett
Ellen Gatz
Brag Gee
Linda Zappulla Gensler & Jo-Ann Harris
Martha Gershun &
CONTRIBUTORS
Donald Goldman
Cynthia Gibson
Austin Gideon
Courtney Goddard
Max & Harriet Gordon
Christine Granger
Doreen & Norman Greczyn
C.W. & Nancy Green
Don Grodecki &
Cheryl Ricke
Heather M Gudgel
Rex & Jody Gunn
Rupal Christine Gupta
MaryLee Guthrie
Beth & Chris Hafner
Sandra & Gerald Handley
Kristen & Tyler Harrelson
Kristen Harris
John Hart & Katelyn Peter
Leslie & Martin Herst
Chris Hess
Kristi Hettrick
Barbara & George Heymach
Zach Hickman
Lisa Hickok
Richard & Merri-Ann Higgason
Kim & Ted Higgins *
Paget & Tom Higgins
Mr. Brad & Dr. Amy Hogan
Mary Kay & James M Hogan
Bruce & Cindy Hogle
Edward Honestly
Mary & Edwin Hood
Patrick & Whitney Hosty
Paulette Howard
Anita Hoyt
Dick & Rose Marie Huber
Leslie & Mark Huffhines *
Amanda Humiston
Mary Hungerford
Justin & Rita Huntington
Candace & Bill Inzer
Joan & Steve Israelite
Lance & Pat Jessee
Ellen Johnson
Joyce Jonasson
Colby Jones
Katherine Jorgenson & Marc Harman
Sarilee Kahn
Kauffman Foundation
Matching Gifts
Jessica Keal
Annie & Alan Keneipp
Joan & Chris Kennedy
Jenn Killpack
Susan King-Kostelac & Martin Kostelac
Christy Kinman
Elise Kirchhofer
Brad & Jane Kleindl *
Arthur & Carol Faucher
Kowalski
Patrice Krampff
Jackie Kuisle
John & Patricia Kurtz
Jennifer Lane
Hannah Lanier
Mary Lappin
Carrie & Patrick Lenahan
Eloise Lenahan
David & Susan Leonard
Gayle Levy & Whitney
Terrell
Jana & Curtis Liles
Mark & Karen Long
Marilyn & Bruce Lowrey
Tom Luebbering
Sharon Lynch & Jane Nichols
LaMonica & Christopher
Madden
Sue & Dev Malik
Greg Malter
Tom Mardikes
Richard & Lydia Marien
Carol Marks
Tiffany Marr
Monica Mauzey
Kelly McConnell
P. Alan McDermott *
Tim McMulin & Emilee Rose
Gerald & Jean McNamara *
Mr. & Mrs. Bob Merrigan
Jeff Metzner
Julia & Dennis Meyer
Kathlene Keck Meyer
Kim Meyer
Patricia Ann Miles
Kelsea Miller
William Sr. & Melanie
Miller
Laurie Mitchell & Rob Beeson
Janice & Phillip Montgomery
Hilary Moore
Marti Moore & John Kinsey
Susan Morrissey
Heather & Tom Morrow
Ann & Jim Mueller
Gretchen Muir
Charles & Carol Mullican
Judy & Carl Mullins
Bailey Mae Munson
Robyn Murphy
Doris Negaard
Mark Nelson
Brent Never
Meggan Newland, M.D. &
Jon Henry
Ronald Newton *
Kathryn & Stephen Nichols
Jane J. Olson
Bonita & Thomas Oothoudt
Amy M. Abels &
John Owen
Dr. Christina Marie Pacheco
James Parrott
Mr. & Mrs. Dahya K. Patel *
Laura Patton
Jana & Scott Payton
Bonnie & Douglas Pearson
John Pearson
Wanda R. Perkins
Kathy Peters
Sheilah Philip
Dr. Andrea Picciotto
Allison & Kevin Pinkowski
Scott Pittack
Joe & Linda Potter
Lena Price
Mark Raggett
Don & Phyllis Ranum
Kelly Rawlings
Betsy & Harris Rayl
Dr. Carl B. Reed &
Melody A. Miller
Kevin Regan & Cathy Francis
Greg & Rebecca Reid
Libby Rivers
Kathy A Robertson
Julie Robinson
Melinda Rocha
Steve & Janice Roeder
Maureen Rogers
Lindsey Rood-Clifford & Chris Clifford
Paula & Jack Rowe
Brian Russ
Martha Russell
Jim Saffels
Laura Savidge
Anton & Barbara Schaefer *
Todd F. Schellhase
Michael Schindler
Chris Schlenker
Donald & Martha Schlosser
Robert Schremmer & Allan Somera
Janet W. Sears
Michelle Self-Loveland
Darren Sextro & John Rensenhouse
Gail E. Shaw
William Shively
John Shreves
Phil & Lurae Shreves
William & Vicki Siebs
Kurt Rasmussen &
Cheryl L. Simmons
Janet & Andrew Simonsen
Cuthbert & Severns
Simpkins
Rik Siro & Teresa Woody
Thomas & Mitzi Slover
Anita Louise Smith
Michelle Smith
Kristin Smithson
* Shooting Stars — Donors of 10 or more consecutive years
Larry & Jean Snider
Nicholle Soendker
Whitney Sojka
Diana Spare
Karlie Speicher *
Betty Ann Springer
Nancy Steinacker
Mr. & Mrs. Rodger Stelter
Dr. Joy Stevenson
Chrissy Stewart
Linda Stinnet
Steven & Sandra Stites
Annelies Stoecklin
Kim & Randal Stout
Rebecca Stowe
Tom Strumillo
Mark Stuecheli
Bridget Sturr
Matthew Swain
Ann & Daniel Sweeney
Seth Swoboda
Jennifer Sykes
Brandi Tabor
Juliann & Mark Tapko
James H Taylor
Starr Terrell
James Thomas & Kathy
Burke-Thomas
Kristina Thompson
Sharon Thompson
Heidi Thummel
Lauren & Nick Tobaben
Adam Todd
Diana & Tim Toman
Ann Trask
Cliff & Leslie Van Blarcom *
Linda Vande Garde
Kevin Vanderweide
Todd Vorachek
Gayla & Jon Voss
Wayne & Debora Wainwright
Christine Waldschmidt
Brenda Walters
David & Leanna Walters
Kathleen L Warfel
Dale Wassergord
Christal Watson
Vicki Webber
Dr. Audrey V Wegst
Susie Weis
Charles & Linda Wells
Ronda & Bill White
Julie & Louis Williams
Leonard & Gail Williams
Amy Winger
Geri Wise
Charlotte & John Wood
Hoyt H Wood, Jr
Karen Woodbury
Herbert & Lisa Young *
Brian & Katherine Zeiger
March 29, 2025
InterContinental Kansas City Hotel
THANK YOU 2025 SPONSORS !
With support from our KCRep Gala 2025 sponsors, guests, and supporters, over $485,000 was raised to support the productions you love, to fuel youth education, and to support the KCRep for All free community tour. Learn more and see photos at kcrep.org/event/gala. Thank you!
CELEBRATION
Pete Browne & Julie Walker Browne
Kissick Construction Company
The McDonnell Foundation
Theater League
OVATION
Ellen & Irv Hockaday
Linda & Topper Johntz
SPOTLIGHT
Harper & Rebecca Coulson
The DeBruce FoundationPaul & Linda DeBruce
H&R Block Hallmark
Muriel McBrien Kauffman
Family Foundation
Marny & John Sherman
UMB Financial Corporation
ENCORE
Anonymous
Ivan & Karla Batlle
Becky Blades & Cary Phillips
Anne & Bill Blessing
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas City
Wendy & Grant Burcham
Burns & McDonnell
Commerce Bank
CommunityAmerica Credit Union
Bunni & Paul Copaken
Evergy
FCI Advisors/Midwest Trust
First Business Bank
Judge Jon R. Gray (Ret.) & Dr. Valerie E. Chow
Laura & David Hall
Joan Horan
Husch Blackwell LLP
J.E. Dunn Construction Co.
Mary & Mark Jorgenson
Greater Kansas City
Chamber of Commerce
KPMG
McCownGordon Construction
Bill & Barbara Nelson Family in memory of Bill Nelson
Debra & Allen Parmet
Polsinelli PC
Matt & Jessica Ralston
Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts - Commerce Bank, Trustee
Hillary Stamper Stinson LLP
VanTrust
Veracity Consulting, Inc.
Sara Welch
THANK YOU, 2025 CHAIRS
Harper & Rebecca Coulson
Gala Chairs
Hillary Stamper & Katie Dunn Vice-Chairs
Pete Browne & Julie Walker Browne HonoraryChairs
Listing as of March 28, 2025
CONTRIBUTORS
GIFTS IN HONOR & MEMORY
In Honor of A CHRISTMAS CAROL CAST & CREW from Barr Charitable Giving Fund
In Honor of EMILY BALLENTINE from Patty Ramsour
In Honor of DAVID B. BROWNE from John Hogan & Amy Browne-Hogan
In Memory of VICKI S. CATLIN from Nathan Schecter MD Trust
In Memory of JENNIFER COLLINS
Stage Manager,
A Christmas Carol 2017 & more from Michael Collins
In Honor of MELANIE COLEMAN from Anita Hoyt
In Honor of my Dear Friends PAUL & BUNNI COPAKEN from G. Kenneth & Ann Baum Philanthropic Fund –Ann Kauffman Baum
In Memory of ANN KING DICKINSON from Heather Paxton Mary Ann Pinkerton Whitney Sojka Bert & Sue Trucksess
In Memory of ROBERT FIRNHABER from Buddy & Carolyn Jones
In Honor of ERIN FLOOD from Cathy Cooney
In Honor of ANGELA LEE GIERAS from Jerry & Meghan Carpenter Pamela Miller & Michael Cummings
Angela Andresen Smart
Richard Wetzel
Leanne Wiedemann & Robb Krumlauf
In Honor of CHRIS HERNANDEZ from Consuelo Cruz
In Honor of JACKIE HIGHLAND from Sarah Muntean
In Memory of BRUCE R. HOPKINS from Bonnie J. Buchele, Ph.D.
In Honor of DOROTHEA & NATHAN JAGODA from The Jagoda Family Foundation In Memory of LEE JONES from Buddy & Carolyn Jones
In Memory of RITA & GILBERT KAHN from Sarilee Kahn
In Memory of LISA JANE LOEWEN from Rex Loewen
In Memory of DR. PATRICIA McILRATH from Venne-Richard & Felicia Londré
In Memory of JENNIFER MARTIN from Ellen Wagner
In Honor of COURTNEY O'NEILL
Set Designer for Little Shop of Horrors
In Memory of KAYLA SCHRANZ from Michael Schindler
In Honor of BRAD SPRONG from Pamela Miller & Michael Cummings
In Honor of ABBY & RYAN STURM from Kimberley Bray
In Memory of JANE UHLRICH from Barbara Wells
In Memory of SUSAN WASKOW from Harry Waskow
MAKE AN IMPACT WITH CHARITABLE GIFT PLANNING
Partner with KCRep in producing extraordinary live theatre vital for all, and potentially save on your taxes, through charitable gift planning. For more information, contact Carrie Lenahan at lenahanc@kcrep.org or call 816.235.5420.
THANK YOU to the following members of our Legacy Society and their families. Generous commitments through estate planning ensure that KCRep will continue to thrive for the next 60 years and beyond. To read more about joining our Legacy Society, see page 28.
Anonymous (2)
~ Dr. & Mrs. Keith W. Ashcraft
~ William W. Baker Trust
Anne & Bill Blessing
~ Mrs. W. Coleman Branton
Mary Lou & ~ Tom Brous
Cindie Buchanan
Jerry & Meghan Carpenter
Nathan Schechter MD Trust
in memory of Vicki S. Catlin ~
~ Richard R. Cawthorn
~ Ann King Dickinson
~ Estate of Joseph F. Finch
Pam & Dr. Fred Geer
Courtney Goddard
~ Elizabeth Irwin Gordon
Nancy P. & ~Robert W. Hatch
Ellen & Irv Hockaday
Linda & Topper Johntz
Mary & Mark Jorgenson
~ Helen Louise Kassebaum Trust
Dr. & Mrs. J. Gordon Kingsley
~ Lothar P. Krause
Rev. Susan Langhauser
Lindsay Meyer & ~ Corey Brunk
Pamela Miller &
Michael Cummings
~ Dr. Mary Jo Rahatz
George & Lisa Shadid
~ Dr. Nathan & Ruth G. Shechter
Brad Voelker
Hal vonBohnhoff
~ Betty Widmier
~ In Memoriam
ONE THAT SHINES.
At FNBO, we make it easy for you to shine. Face-to-face or behind the scenes, we’re here to help you earn, save and do more.
For me, it’s not just...
‘I’m the doctor and you’re the patient.’ We’re partners.”
- Raed Al-Rajabi, MD Physician Medicine Clinical Oncology
I don’t know any other way to treat my cancer patients than to become their partner. To be available to them whenever they need me. And that’s not just when they’re sitting across from me at an appointment. Cancer is a unique journey. And for me and all of my team, the only way to undertake it is together.
To schedule an appointment, call 913-588-1227 or visit KUCancerCenter.org to learn more.
