Alumni Accomplishments Archives - Page 2 of 8

Theatre and dance alumna Madelynn Ayen makes professional stage debut

February 20, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University theatre and dance alumna Madelynn Ayen has made her professional stage debut as a co-star in the production of “Little Miss Perfect.”

Currently, the show is running at the Olney Theatre in Olney, Maryland, through March 8. The musical is based off a song written by Joriah Kwamé and performed by Taylor Louderman. That performance became a viral TikTok hit in 2020.

A story about the musical, also written by Kwamé, appeared in the Feb. 6 issue of the Washington Post.

Ayen plays Malaya Cruz, an openly queer foreign exchange student from the Philippines. She meets Noelle Sanders, a teenager who also struggles to navigate today’s world while grappling with questions of sexual identity and religious guilt. The story revolves around their friendship and how each inspires the other to live freely and authentically.

Audiences should prepare to laugh, cry and enjoy some great music, Ayen said. “Some incredible people have put their entire hearts and souls into this story, so be open to receiving all it has to offer!”

Music alumnus Jared Swope appointed to full-time roster with Trinity Choir

February 6, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Department of Music alumnus Jared Swope has been named to the full-time roster of the GRAMMY-nominated Trinity Choir at Trinity Church in New York, New York.

Swope performs two Sunday morning services and an improvised compline service with the choir every week, as well as special liturgical services throughout the year

Trinity Choir performs a robust concert calendar, the Bach at One series, and frequently records and goes on tour, according to Swope. Individual choir singers also serve as section leaders and soloists for the two community choirs at Trinity.

Along with his Trinity Choir duties, Swope is on the core roster of True Concord Voices & Orchestra and the Oregon Bach Festival Chorus and a founding member of Fourth Wall Ensemble in New York City. In addition, he frequently collaborates with Spire Chamber Ensemble, Three Notch’d Road Baroque, Ensemble Altera and other groups throughout the country.

Missouri State alumni Carter Breaux and Taylor Hoos produce feature-length film

January 29, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University alumni Carter Breaux and Taylor Hoos will premiere their new feature-length film, “Kings,” at the Alamo Drafthouse in Springfield, Missouri, Feb. 6-8.

Breaux and Hoos co-produced “Kings.” They both graduated from Missouri State’s Department of Communication, Media, Journalism and Film in 2019, earning degrees in media and film production. Breaux also earned a certificate in screenwriting.

In addition to his co-producer role, Breaux is the film’s director, editor and screenwriter. Hoos is the film’s director of photography and colorist as well as co-producer. The film stars Jachin Like as Mark and Ethan O’Neal as Dylan.

“Alamo Drafthouse has been a phenomenal partner in getting this film shown,” Breaux said. “They’ve gone out of their way to add new theaters, promote the film and connect us with other theaters that may also want to show ‘Kings.’”

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Chess, poker and a box of money

Four young men sitting on set of film — On the set of “Kings.” L-R: Taylor Hoos, Jachin Like, Carter Breaux and Ethan O’Neal. Photo credit: Karson Knudsen.

According to Breaux, the story follows a meticulous chess champion and a scheming poker hustler who find themselves in a battle of wits after discovering a box of money in a dumpster.

“I first explored the idea for this story in 2018, putting pen to paper in early 2023,” Breaux said. “After sharing the script at a local table read event, we decided we wanted to move forward.”

“Carter approached me in early 2024,” Hoos remembered. “He mentioned he had a script he wanted to make. I read [it] and, like I always do with Carter’s writing, was like ‘this is awesome, yes I want to be a part of it.’”

With Hoos on board as director of photography, he and Breaux began outlining scenes, color palettes and grades. They also discussed how they wanted to tell the story.

“Carter is a very involved director,” Hoos said. “He sees everything in his mind already and has specific shots he wants. It’s just up to me to make that into reality.”

Emeritus art professor Keith Ekstam’s “Makeshift Ruminations” exhibit now on view

January 21, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The Department of Art and Design launches its 2026 exhibition schedule with “Makeshift Ruminations: Work from Forty Years in Ceramic Art by Keith Ekstam” at the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center.

“Makeshift Ruminations” runs from Jan. 20-Feb. 20, with a First Friday Art Walk viewing scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Feb. 6.

The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Work highlights specialization in clay

Close up of ceramic artwork on display — Some of Keith Ekstam’s artwork on display at the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center.

Keith Ekstam, who specializes in clay and ceramics, is an emeritus professor in the art and design department. He stated that he remains committed to clay as his “primary art making material” for several reasons.

“It is simultaneously one of the most fragile art media, yet also one of the most permanent and enduring,” he explained. “The simple, direct act of working with clay in one’s hands is the polar opposite of the complex, transformative nature of the kiln firing.”

For Ekstam, clay’s contradictory characteristics led him to choose it as his preferred medium.

“You get your money’s worth when working in clay,” he said.

Exhibit features work of former students

In addition to his own work, Ekstam invited several former Missouri State students to contribute their creative efforts. These alums studied ceramics with Ekstam as well as Associate Professor Kevin Hughes and Jim Hill.

“I had the privilege of teaching and working with many talented students throughout my 37 years at Missouri State,” he said. “My creative research experiences, knowledge and processes were constantly being presented to the students at all levels within the curriculum.”

The alumni artists are Steve Hilton, Keaton Wynn, Dryden Wells, Bekka Bliss, Nate Falter, Jen Falter, Tybre Newcomer, Patsy Cox, Zach Tate, Kendle Durden, Bari Precious, Teddy Osei, Craig Hartenberger and Cortney Yellowhorse-Metzger.

“These are some of the many individuals who have maintained serious careers in the ceramic arts in one form or another,” Ekstam noted. “I hope the viewers will enjoy the strength and diversity of the work made and chosen for exhibition by these alumni artists.”

For more information about Ekstam’s exhibit or about the Carolla Arts Exhibition Center, contact Jodi McCoy, director of exhibitions.

Photos courtesy of the Department of Art and Design.

History department launches professional development series for history education students

December 18, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The Department of History launched the first in a series of professional development sessions for its history education students Oct. 2 in Strong Hall.

“Engaging with Educators” was a panel discussion featuring four of the history education program’s graduates. All four are now professional teachers working in the southwest Missouri region.

Clinical Instructor Heather Haynes and Associate Professor Dr. Michelle Morgan developed the series in collaboration with history education academic advisor Alyssa Debolt.

Along with several faculty members, more than 30 students attended the event, Morgan estimated. The number represents nearly one third of the program’s current history education majors.

This was the first event of the professional development series. According to Haynes, the history department hopes to schedule several more in the future.

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