UCM Theatre and Dance Presents Free Virtual Theatre Production: ‘Spotlight’
By Jeff Murphy,
April 20, 2021
WARRENSBURG, MO – The virtual presentation of the production, “Spotlight” will be
presented by ŷƵ Theatre and Dance on its YouTube channel
at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 22; Friday, April 23, Saturday, April 24 and at 2 p.m.
Sunday, April 25. Virtual Doors open 15 minutes prior to start time, and no tickets
or reservations are needed.
“Spotlight” is recommended for all audiences, and while the virtual presentation is
free, however, in lieu of buying tickets, audience members may support the UCM Theatre
and Dance program by following the link found in the YouTube description of each show.
Links to the shows can be found on the Theatre and Dance web page and under “Events” on the UCM Theatre and Dance Facebook page @ucmtheatreanddance.
For this final show of the 2020-2021 season, UCM Theatre and Dance again meets the
challenges of producing excellent and safe theatre during COVID -19. This unique production
takes the audience on a theatrical journey of personal artistry as students select
and perform monologues, musical numbers and dances that reflect their unique personal
aesthetic. It is an exploration of what it means to be a young theatre artist in the
spring of the 2021 and audiences get to share in a celebration of the young people
who are the heart and soul of UCM Theatre and Dance.
“Spotlight” Director Mary Trotter noted that the show was created to give UCM Theatre
and Dance students the opportunity to work on material that spoke to who they want
to be as artists. To do work that filled their souls and supported their passion!
The performers selected their pieces and the production team worked alongside them
to help their visions shine through. It has been a joy to be on this journey of artistic
discovery with them!” She added, “Another highlight of this process has been the
collaboration with Joe Moore and the students of Digital Media Production. Challenges
of COVID led us to the exciting path of filming this project. It has been really rewarding
and educational for Theatre and Dance to explore a different format with other faculty
and students we don’t normally work with.”
The cast includes: Shanna Sinow, Alex Scharfenberg, Miranda Muenz, Alyce Wilson, Anna
Braman, Phil Licata, Katie Kaminski, Makenzie Lewis, Luke Habjan, Lacy Goettling,
Eleanor Panico, Raheem Fielder-Bey, Molly Ross, Ashlyn Reece, Charlotte Sipple, Katie
Marshall, Emily Layt, AJ Johnson, Ashton Bennett and Sabrina Ortiz.
The Production Team includes Trotter; Music Director, Dr. Jake Sentgeorge; Director
of Video Production, Supporting Playwright, Ben Gonzales; Choreographer, Allison Duncan;
Stage Manager, Madison Skiljan; Production Manager and Scenic Coordinator, Ken George;
Faculty Advisor for Lighting, Ben Gonzales; Lighting Designer for Highlander Theatre
and Master Electrician, Kelsi Richardson; Costume Coordinator and Costume Shop Manager,
Jennifer Van Buskirk; Hair and Makeup Designer, Allison Winsby; Assistant Directors,
Tony Smith and Caitlin Whitehead; Assistant Stage Manager, Luke Habjan; Assistant
Music Director, Elizabeth Henks; Props Master and Assistant Scenic Coordinator, Brittany
Brandt; Assistant Technical Director, Seth Holt; Assistant Choreographer:, Rachel
Curry; Set Construction, Seth Holt, Luke Habjan, Rachel Curry, Kelsi Richardson, Brittany
Brandt and Sri Sriramula; Costume Shop Assistants, Maryn Edwards, Cydni Stanford,
Allison Winsby, Hollie Neuman; Publicity and Marketing Director, Dr. Aaron Scully;
Assistant Publicity and Marketing Director, Mekdelawit Keller; Publicity and Marketing
Team, Cloe Pohlman, Katie Kaminski, and Holden Childress; Trailer Editor, Charlie
Martin; Office Professional UCM Theatre and Dance, Jane Tackett; College of Arts,
Humanities, and Social Sciences Administrative Assistant, Heather Stringer; Theatre
and Dance Office Assistants, Madison Skiljan and Tony Smith.
Credits for ‘Spotlight’ Trailer: Individuals who contributed to the “Spotlight” trailer are: Trailer Editor, Charlie
Martin; “Spotlight” Director: Mary Trotter; Music Director, Dr. Jake Sentgeorge; Director
of Video Production, Dr. Joe Moore; Set Coordinator, Ken George; Lighting Design for
Highlander, Keslie Richardson; Costume Coordinator, Jenn Van Buskirk; Choreographer,
Allison Duncan; Hair and Makeup Design, Allison Winsby.