Musical Theatre Archives - Reynolds College Blog

“Collaboration” reveals hard work and big dreams of Missouri State dance students

April 10, 2025 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance wraps up the 2024-25 season with its annual Spring Dance Concert.

Titled “Collaboration,” the concert continues this year’s theme of “Connection.” It will feature a variety of both student and faculty choreographed performances.

This year’s concert is coordinated by Associate Professor of Dance Azaria Hogans.

Evening showtimes are 7:30 p.m. April 24-26. Matinee showtime is 2:30 p.m. April 27. All performances will be held in Coger Theatre in Craig Hall.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students/seniors. Special advance rates are available for students with an MSU ID.

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Collaborating to connect

Using an interdisciplinary approach, the concert emphasizes connecting dance with different disciplines, Hogans said. “Every work that will be on the stage has some element of interdisciplinary exploration. This ranges from collaborations with animators to costume construction to STEM concepts and processes.”

Hogans is excited about how audiences will experience the performances.

“Even if an audience member does not know a lot about dance, they will be able to appreciate the interdisciplinary connections made in this concert,” she said. “[They] will be able to see concepts, ideas and maybe even themselves represented in the works.”

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

October 31, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

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.”

Man singing in front of Steinway piano — Josh Young performs for the Missouri State Foundation Board of Trustees on Oct. 18, 2024, in the C. Minor Recital Hall. Photo credit: Jesse Scheve/Missouri State University.

Dovid Adler reaches semi-finals in APO NextGen competition

October 29, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Missouri State University sophomore Dovid Adler, a BFA musical theatre major, has reached the semi-finals in the 2024 American Pops Orchestra (APO) NextGen competition. He will compete via live stream Dec. 1.

“When I learned I reached the semis, I genuinely jumped out of my seat with excitement,” Adler said. “It felt like a wave of reassurance for me and my artistry.”

For the semi-finals, Adler will perform “Misty,” a jazz standard made famous by Ella Fitzgerald. “I really love that song, and I think it showcases me as an artist very well,” he said.

Finalists will travel to New York City to perform at the Lincoln Center Jan. 19, 2025.

Competing adds to audition experience

Adler decided to compete not only to learn more about the audition process but also to get accustomed to potential rejection.

Dovid Adler. Photo credit: Luke Fontana.

“I decided to audition because, as a performer, you have to be willing to put yourself out there and not be afraid of rejection, even though it’s so common,” he said. “Because of all the rejection we face as artists, it’s hard not to get used to that feeling.”

Encouraged by MSU community

Adler’s success so far in the NextGen competition did not surprise Musical Theatre Coordinator Josh Young.

“I am excited to see Dovid’s talent being recognized on a national level,” Young said. “Despite only being with us for a few months as a transfer student, he has quickly showcased his exceptional talent and dedication.”

“We are proud of his accomplishments and look forward to his continued success,” Young added.

After graduating, Adler hopes to move to New York City to pursue an acting and singing career. In the meantime, he said he is enjoying the encouragement shown to him at Missouri State.

“Everyone here is so supportive, and I feel very loved and supported in my journey as an artist and specifically in this competition.”

Learn more about MSU’s musical theatre program

Emeritus professor Bob Westenberg lands role in Neil Diamond musical

October 15, 2024 by Lynn M. Lansdown

Retirement has been good for Bob Westenberg, emeritus professor from Missouri State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance.

Not only is he now living near his children and grandchildren in Colorado, he’s also landed the job of a lifetime.

Westenberg is currently on a national tour, playing famed singer Neil Diamond in “A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical.”

The show launched Sept. 21 and will continue through August 2025.

Scheduled appearances include the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis, Missouri, Oct. 29-Nov. 10.

Get tickets to St. Louis performance

Audition leads to offer

Westenberg said he learned about the role through an old acquaintance from his New York days.

Bob Westenberg.

“Jim Carnahan of Carnahan Casting…reached out about two years ago and asked if I was interested [and] available to audition for the Broadway show,” he explained.

Westenberg then compiled and sent an audition tape with the help of Heather Luellen, Music Director and Accompanist in the theatre and dance department, and MSU theatre and dance alumna Olivia Schmitt, who read the scene with him.

He got a callback to New York, but had to wait to learn more about his future.

“Last November, they called again to have me go to New York for a session with the music director, Sonny Paladino, and also to see the show,” Westenberg said. “This audition was to replace Mark Jacoby in the role on Broadway, as they thought he was leaving when his contract ended at the end of December.”

But Jacoby decided to stay with the show, so Westenberg was offered the national tour.

Musical theatre major Jayna Glynn is a voice of tomorrow

February 1, 2024 by Damilola R. Oyedeji

Jayna Glynn came to Missouri State University from Bentonville, Arkansas, in 2021, specifically for the musical theatre program.

She is now one of 10 finalists in The American Pops Orchestra (APO) 2024 NextGen National: Finding the Voices of Tomorrow competition.