Reynolds College Blog

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

by

“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.

Get tickets

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”

by

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

[Read more…] about Tent Theatre 2026 season opens June 18 with “Around the World in 80 Days”

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

by

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.

Mark your calendar

[Read more…] about Tent Theatre’s Mark Templeton to retire, reception set for March 27

Theatre and Dance alum Claire Marshall now starring in “Chicago”

by

Missouri State University theatre and dance alumna Claire Marshall has landed a starring role in the 2025-26 national tour of “Chicago.”

Marshall, who graduated with a BFA in musical theatre in 2024, plays Velma Kelly.

“I’ve always wanted to be in ‘Chicago,’” she said. “Truthfully, I did not think the opportunity would come this soon in my life.”

Marshall auditioned for the role while still touring with “The Cher Show,” which ran in 2024-25. For the “Chicago” audition, Marshall first sent in a self-filmed tape and then completed a second audition in person when she moved to New York City.

The “Chicago” tour opened Oct. 22 at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, Washington. The hit musical, set in 1920s Chicago, tells the story of Roxie Hart, a nightclub dancer who murders her lover when he threatens to leave her. Hart and her cellmate, Velma Kelly, try to avoid conviction by hiring a slick criminal lawyer.

See Claire Marshall in “Chicago”

Glamourous role built on hard work

Behind all the glamour of show business is a lot of hard work. “Chicago” is a physically demanding show, Marshall said, and rehearsals were especially grueling.

“The rehearsal process is, in my opinion, one of the hardest portions of a long contract,” she said. “We are working more than we ever do on show days, plus learning a large amount of material in two weeks is daunting.”

Marshall added that during these times “it’s imperative to listen to your body.” Plenty of rest, hydration and good nutrition are essential.

[Read more…] about Theatre and Dance alum Claire Marshall now starring in “Chicago”

Tent Theatre’s “Vintage Hitchcock” promises an evening of mystery and suspense

by

Missouri State University’s Tent Theatre continues the 2025 season with its production of “Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play.”

Performances are June 27 and 28, then June 30-July 2 at the John Goodman Amphitheatre.

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 online at MissouriStateTix.com.

On show days, Tent Theatre patrons can pick up their tickets at the will-call kiosk next to the Amphitheatre between 6:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Food and drink concessions will be available. Patrons can access restrooms in Hill Hall, just north of Craig Hall.

Get tickets

Early Hitchcock films brought to the stage

Directed by Betsy Kruse Craig, “Vintage Hitchcock” adapts three of film director Alfred Hitchcock’s earliest films – “The Lodger,” “Sabotage” and “The 39 Steps” – into radio format.

Known as the “master of suspense,” Hitchcock used innovative techniques in his films. Camera angles and framing, along with ominous music, create a sense of escalating danger and the surreal.

In “Vintage Hitchcock,” the stories are presented as they might have been in the 1940s. Five actors play dozens of characters, with live sound effects and atmospheric music keeping audiences spellbound. Vintage commercials woven into the performance add to the fun of this unique production.