Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts Archives

Tent Theatre’s Mark Templeton to retire, reception set for March 27

March 11, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Every year for nearly 30 years, Missouri State University’s Tent Theatre has been under the dedicated guidance of Managing Director Mark Templeton.

As of April 1, 2026, Templeton will step aside from his role with this cherished Ozarks tradition.

Templeton began working at Missouri State as a graduate assistant for the marketing director at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. In addition, he worked in a similar capacity over the summers with Tent Theatre, adding merchandising and vending operations to his workload.

In 1999, the Department of Theatre and Dance hired Templeton as a part-time employee. He worked in the box office and oversaw event coordination. Later that same year, he moved to a full time position as the department’s marketing director. Then in 2001, the department changed his job title to managing director to better reflect his expertise and include even more responsibilities.

Retirement reception March 27

A retirement reception celebrating Templeton’s career will be held 4:30-7:30 p.m. March 27 at the Davis-Harrington Welcome Center. Please join the Reynolds College community in wishing him well, share many happy memories, and enjoy a few light hors d’oeuvres.

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“Broadway Giants” celebrates musical theatre legends Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Sondheim

February 27, 2026 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance, in collaboration with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra, will present “Broadway Giants: Lloyd Webber and Sondheim” at 7:30 p.m. March 7, 2026, in the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.

“Broadway Giants” honors the musical legacies of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Stephen Sondheim. Associate Professor and Musical Theatre Coordinator Josh Young is the show’s co-producer, writer and director.

Young built “Broadway Giants” around three Sondheim compositions and six Lloyd Webber compositions. He then included songs from people who influenced Sondheim and Lloyd Webber as well as the new generation of composers they have since influenced. The narrative throughout “Broadway Giants” provides historical context while telling the story of Sondheim and Lloyd Webber, their work and their far-reaching influence.

“I’m excited for the community to see the show,” Young said. “I think people will be shocked at the level of talent that we have this year. I think we have some of the most talented students in the country, and I would love for the community at large to know that.”

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Reynolds College collaborative concert scheduled for Dec. 4.

November 19, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The Department of Music is excited to announce a concert coordinated by Missouri State University’s Choral Union, Symphony Orchestra and dance students from the Department of Theatre and Dance.

Featuring Johannes Brahms’ “Liebeslieder Walzer, Op. 52,” the collaborative effort is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Dec. 4 in the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. It is free and open to the public.

Before and after the concert, members of Mu Phi, Missouri State’s music fraternity, will be on hand to collect canned good donations.

“Universally adored” music

Brahms originally composed the waltzes for choir and piano four hands, explained Associate Director of Choral Studies Dr. Erin Plisco. Later, however, he transcribed several of the movements for choir and orchestra.

“Brahms is accessible for both choir and orchestra, and the music is charming and universally adored,” she said.

Plisco and Missouri State’s Orchestra Director, Dr. Yi-Ping Chen, will share conducting duties for the Liebeslieder. In addition, some of the music department’s graduate conducting students will conduct a few of the movements.

Meanwhile, Assistant Professor Dr. Perry Mears and Artist-in-Residence Parker Payne will perform the movements written for just piano and choir.

The concert will also feature additional selections from the orchestra and choir performing separately, Plisco said.

An orchestra on stage — The Missouri State University Symphony Orchestra. Photo credit: Kevin White/Missouri State University.

“Awakening” theme defines 2025-26 Theatre and Dance season

September 3, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The Department of Theatre and Dance offers an exciting and innovative lineup of shows, ranging from Shakespeare to Broadway classics, for its 2025-26 schedule.

This year’s production theme, “Awakening,” is based on the idea that the artistic disciplines of theatre and dance awaken us to a universe of ideas and emotions, said Mark Templeton, executive director of marketing and external relations. In turn, they broaden our perspective and deepen our understanding of ourselves and others.

Because of ongoing construction of the Judith Enyeart Reynolds Complex and interior restoration in Craig Hall, this year’s productions will be performed in other venues. These locations include the John Goodman Amphitheatre, the Credo Arts Center and the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.

Missouri State University hosts 28th annual President’s Concert

April 18, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

The Missouri State University President’s Concert celebrates its 28th year with performances of Jocelyn Hagen’s “The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci” and Adolphus Hailstork’s “I Will Lift Up Mine Eyes.”

The concert begins at 3:30 p.m. April 27 at the Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.

Admission is free and open to the public.

The university’s Grand Chorus and Symphony Orchestra will perform under the direction of Dr. Erin E. Plisco, associate director of choral studies in the Department of Music.

The Grand Chorus, which has over 200 student participants, is prepared by Plisco and Dr. Cameron LaBarr, Clif and Gail Smart Professor of Music and director of choral studies.

The orchestra, prepared by orchestra director Dr. Yi-Ping Chen, has roughly 60 students.