91导航

91导航 Theatre and Dance students perform 鈥淪ingin鈥� in the Rain鈥� during the virtual presentation of 鈥淚conic,鈥� which used Vernon Kennedy Field at Audrey J. Walton as the stage. A video of this production was invited to be virtually presented during the Kennedy Center American College Festival Region V virtual festival Jan. 16-24. Photo by Molly Ross.

WARRENSBURG, MO 鈥� An honor rarely granted was bestowed upon 91导航 Theatre and Dance when the Kennedy Center American College Festival Region V invited two of the university鈥檚 fall 2020 productions to be virtually presented at the 2021 regional festival. This virtual festival takes place Jan. 16-24.

 

The play 鈥淭ilikum,鈥� written by Kristiana Rae Col贸n, was virtually presented by UCM Theatre and Dance in late October 2020. The production was directed by guest director Dr茅a Lewis, with dramaturgy by guest artist Lindsey 鈥淟J鈥� Jenkins. Col贸n, Lewis and Jenkins were invited to work with UCM Theatre and Dance students to create Theatre and Dance鈥檚 first-ever virtual production through the generosity of the Meridith Harmon Sauer Guest Artist Series.

 

鈥淭ilikum鈥� takes a sea creature鈥檚 story and creates a poetic, percussive fantasy that leads the audience to pay attention to a range of social justice issues regarding Black lives in America. Col贸n asks the audience to envision a world without prisons or police: 鈥淐lose your eyes. Imagine the sound of the ocean. Imagine a world without cages. Imagine a world without borders.鈥�

 

The artistic director for the project was Dr. Julie Rae Mollenkamp. She stated about the honor bestowed by KCACTF, 鈥淭his is a tremendous opportunity for our students because of the timely nature of the story, the wisdom of our guest artists, and the shift of presenting theatre in a virtual format. This is also a first for UCM Theatre and Dance - having three Black artists join us in developing the university premiere of such an important, relevant script at this moment in history. Thrilling growth! We are so proud of everyone on the production team.鈥�

 

UCM students present a virtual performance of "Tilikum."

 

The other production invited by KCACTF is 鈥淚conic,鈥� directed by Professor Ashley Miller-Scully with musical direction by Page Gravely, digital media production by Dr. Joe Moore, and sound recording and mixing by Dr. Eric Honour and Mckenzie Shlogl. 鈥淚conic鈥� was performed outside at Audrey J. Walton Stadium. The production was filmed so it could be virtually presented for KCACTF, if selected.

 

鈥淚conic鈥� took its audiences on a journey through the most iconic numbers from musical theatre history. Choreographed by Miller-Scully, UCM Theatre and Dance student choreographers, UCM Dance Instructor Amy Gilchrist and Spinning Tree Theatre, the show includes tunes such as 鈥淪ingin鈥� in the Rain鈥� from the American musical by the same title, 鈥淐ool鈥� from 鈥淲est Side Story, 鈥淥ne鈥� from 鈥淎 Chorus Line鈥� and several other classic numbers.

 

Commenting on being selected for KCACTF, Miller-Scully said, 鈥淚t is such an honor. The students worked incredibly hard to make the show happen under circumstances that none of us had ever experienced. For both 鈥業conic鈥� and 鈥楾ilikum鈥� to be included among the other great shows selected, it really demonstrates the strength of our program and our students, and UCM Theatre and Dance鈥檚 determination to create quality work for the UCM and Warrensburg community.鈥�

 

All eight regions of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival are celebrating their festivals in a virtual environment this year. At the KCACTF Region V Festival students experience: 12 invited productions; workshops from nationally recognized professional artists; several scholarship opportunities for students; representation, equity and diversity initiatives and workshops; professional auditions; and much more.

 

For additional information about the KCACTF Region V Festival, please visit  and for more information about upcoming UCM Theatre and Dance Productions, visit  or the UCM Theatre and Dance Facebook page @ucmtheatreanddance.