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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!”

Missouri State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance joins the Springfield Symphony Orchestra to present “Carousel” 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16, 2024, at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.

As part of the Symphony’s “Lullaby of Broadway” program, the performance features a concert version of the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic and stars Josh Young, associate professor and coordinator of musical theatre at Missouri State.

The production includes a 55-member ensemble backed by a 60-plus piece symphony.

Springfield Symphony Maestro Kyle Pickett will conduct the entire event.

Tickets are available through the Hammons Hall box office and online at www.missouristatetix.com.

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Collaboration leads to “Carousel”

When Young joined MSU’s theatre and dance faculty in 2023, one of his first actions was to have lunch with Pickett to discuss collaboration opportunities.

“Kyle and I discussed several possibilities, including an evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein music,” Young said.

Originally, the plan was to give a performance featuring Young and his wife, Emily Padgett-Young. Both are Broadway veterans, and Young was nominated for a Tony® Award in 2012.

“However, ‘Carousel’ has always been one of my favorite musical scores,” Young said. “With the immense talent we have here at MSU, I thought, ‘Why just do a two-person evening of songs when we could create something even more special?’”

“The idea of bringing the full richness of ‘Carousel’ to life with our students, in collaboration with the Springfield Symphony, felt like the perfect way to elevate the experience for both the performers and the audience,” he added.

Since then, working with Pickett and the technical staff at Hammons Hall has been a delight, Young said. “Their professionalism and flexibility have made the collaboration seamless.”

Theatre and dance alumna Madelynn Ayen makes professional stage debut

MSU Theatre and Dance collaborates with Springfield Symphony Orchestra in “Carousel”

Collaboration leads to “Carousel”