Department of Theatre and Dance Archives - Page 2 of 12

Tent Theatre brings back “Beehive: The 60’s Musical”

July 1, 2026 by Lynn Lansdown

“Beehive: The 60’s Musical” returns to Missouri State University’s Tent Theatre July 8-11 and 13-18.

Professor Sarah Wiggin of the Department of Theatre and Dance is the show’s director.

Performances are at the John Goodman Amphitheatre (JGA). All show times are 8 p.m.

Ticket information

Two young women singing and dressed in 1960s fashion — Carrington Black (left) as “Jasmine” and Gianna Mangum as “Gina” get the giggles while rehearsing for “Beehive.” Photo credit: Jackson Chavis.

Individual, group, and season tickets are now on sale. Patrons can purchase by mail, calling the box office at 417-836-7678 or 1-888-476-7849, or buying online.

On show days, Tent Theatre patrons can pick up their tickets at the will-call kiosk. It is located next to the Amphitheatre and opens at 6:30 p.m.

Visit TentTheatre.MissouriState.edu for further event information.

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Back by popular demand

Wiggin is bringing back the popular musical, which she first directed in 2021.

“We are bringing Beehive back for a couple of reasons,” she noted. “It satisfies our needs for limited scenery during the time without our scene shop.”

Several aspects of the production “will be similar or even the same,” Wiggin added. “But the design has changed some due to being in a different space with a different cast.”

Two young women dressed in 1960s fashion — Scout Henderson (left) as “Pattie” and Teagan Allison as “Allison” can’t get enough of the gorgeous 1960s fashion in “Beehive.” Photo credit: Jackson Chavis.

One important difference is that in 2021 the show was produced during the COVID-19 pandemic, which limited seating. “We were indoors and spaced out, which means only a small portion of our audience could see it,” Wiggin said.

Even within those restrictions, the show was a hit, she recalled. “This show is a very exciting evening of celebrating powerful, iconic female artists of the decade and, though it is theatre, it feels like a concert.”

“The audiences in 2021 raved about the production and were even moved to standing during some songs,” she added.

“I’m hopeful more people will be able to see this fabulous show,” Wiggin said. “It is such a good time, and we really need opportunities to have a good time as a community!”

Visit Tent Theatre @ Mo State

Reynolds College blog posts are human researched, written and reviewed unless otherwise indicated.

Tent Theatre 2026 season opens June 18 with “Around the World in 80 Days”

June 8, 2026 by Lynn Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Tent Theatre opens the 2026 season with the zany classic, “Around the World in 80 Days.”

Assistant Professor Karen Sabo of the Department of Theatre and Dance makes her Tent Theatre directorial debut with Mark Brown’s adaptation of the beloved Jules Verne novel.

Performances are June 18-20 and 22-26 at the John Goodman Amphitheatre (JGA).

All show times are 8 p.m.

Ticket information

Individual, group, and season tickets are now on sale. Patrons can purchase by mail, calling the box office at 417-836-7678 or 1-888-476-7849, or buying online.

On show days, Tent Theatre patrons can pick up their tickets at the will-call kiosk. It is located next to the Amphitheatre and opens at 6:30 p.m.

Visit TentTheatre.MissouriState.edu for further event information.

Get tickets

Missouri State’s Josh Young and Haley Ciaramella to appear in Hudson Valley Shakespeare production of “Les Misérables”

April 30, 2026 by Lynn Lansdown

Musical Theatre Coordinator Josh Young, associate professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance, has been selected to play Jean Valjean in the Hudson Valley Shakespeare production of “Les Misérables.”

Joining Young is freshman musical theatre major Haley Rose Ciaramella, who has been cast in the role of Éponine.

The production runs Aug. 12-Sept. 27, 2026. Hudson Valley Shakespeare (HVS) is located in Garrison, New York.

The role of a lifetime

Josh Young 2026 headshot. Photo credit: Nicki Bhem.

The HVS opportunity is not the first time Young has appeared in a production of Les Mis. It is, however, his first time playing Jean Valjean, his favorite role since childhood.

“’Les Misérables’ has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Young recalled. “Growing up, it was the soundtrack of my childhood. My mother played it constantly.”

Young said the role feels aligned with his voice and his instincts as an actor.

“It sits in a place that plays to my strengths vocally and dramatically,” he explained. “When I look at the roles I’ve been drawn to throughout my career, they are all characters operating at the highest possible stakes, and Valjean is no exception.”

Now, as a father, Young said the role resonates even more.

“Valjean’s relationship with Cosette, his drive to protect her and the responsibility he carries in the midst of chaos all feel very personal,” Young noted. “That combination of scale and intimacy is what makes the role so meaningful to me.”

Theatre and Dance closes season with Spring Dance Concert

April 15, 2026 by Lynn Lansdown

The Department of Theatre and Dance announces its last program for the 2025-26 season. “Pillars,” the Spring Dance Concert, will be performed April 23-26 at the John Goodman Amphitheatre (JGA).

Show times are 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $16 for adults and $13 for students/seniors. Special advance rates are available for students with a Missouri State ID.

Assistant Professor of Dance Jessica Madden coordinated this year’s production.

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Concert features variety of dance styles

Madden is excited that the “Pillars” concert marks the first time a fully produced dance concert will be performed on the JGA stage.

“This is the first dance concert I am coordinating at Missouri State since joining the faculty this fall,” Madden said.

Thirty-seven students are scheduled to appear in the program. Works by three graduating seniors, Caroline Wolfe, Peyton Nicholson, and Nicole Mayer, will be featured. Guest artist Halle Lawson, a recent graduate of the dance program, has also choreographed a special dance piece.

In addition, Madden collaborated with five of the students to present her new work, “Intrepid.”

Audiences can expect to see variety of dance styles performed, including “contemporary, tap, house, jazz, hip hop, majorette and step,” Madden said.

“It has been a very rewarding experience working with these incredibly talented students,” she said.

Interpreting the public affairs mission

In addition to the season’s “Awakenings” theme, the dance concert’s “Pillars” theme gives students a chance to explore Missouri State’s public affairs mission.

“Each of the choreographers have their own take on how they are engaging with these pillars in their work,” Madden said. “There is a significant emphasis on community in many of the pieces, and a call to ‘awaken’ these principles in how we engage with the world today.”

Study Dance @ Mo State

Reynolds College blog posts are human researched, written and reviewed unless otherwise indicated.

Accounting, Biology, Math…and the Arts?

April 10, 2026 by Lynn Lansdown

The Judith Enyeart Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities, or “RCASH,” offers students a variety of academic studies and professional opportunities. Art, theatre, dance, music, communication, history, sociology, languages, criminology and political science are just some of RCASH’s programs.

Opportunities are indeed abundant. Just ask Veronika Yerina, Rocky Lane and Caroline Wolfe.

Yerina, Lane and Wolfe are all pursuing non-RCASH degrees. Yerina, a junior, is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in biology. Lane will graduate this spring with a Bachelor of Science in accounting. Wolfe will graduate this spring with a Bachelor of Science in applied mathematics and will continue her studies through Missouri State’s accelerated master’s program.

Yet these students are also supplementing their degrees with arts-intensive programs and courses. For each of them, there are no contradictions. Studying the arts has improved their professional prospects. They also believe it has made them better humans.

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