PRODUCTION/DESIGN TEAM
Directed by Kurt Heinlein
Lighting Design by Lillian Hilmes
Sound Design by Levi Manners
Scenic Design by Christian Calhoun
Technical Direction by Chris Depriest
Stage Managed by Mallory Koenigseder
Assistant Stage Managed by Dekayla Craigg
Dramaturgy by Cassidy Hayden
CAST
Sierra Wilson (Narrator)
Jackson Spencer (Jason)
Olivia Schmitt (Hera)
Hanna Eisenbath (Athena)
Isabella Meara (Cepheus/Woman of Lemnos/Desert Goddess)
Erin Hill (Asterion/Meleager’s Mother)
Matt Walter (Pelias/Apsyrtos)
Kennedy Brown (Idmon/Andromeda)
Declan Rhodes (Meleager/Eros)
Emily Trent (Castor)
Fiona Ross (Pollux)
John David Spence (Tiphys)
Eli DePriest (Hercules)
Jacob Cannon (Hylas)
Josie Hand (Atalanta)
Hannah Oldham (Meleager’s Aunt)
Kayla Hill (Boreas/Fury/Colchian Messenger/Desert Goddess/Understudy)
Hailey Hance (Woman of Lemnos/Aphrodite/Desert Goddess)
Callandra Hudak (Woman of Lemnos/Dryope/Fury/Desert Goddess)
Kodie Brown (Woman of Lemnos/Dessert Goddess)
Killian McMahon (Polyphemus)
Daniel Miller (Dymas)
Alyssa Gaul (Amycus/Phineus/Fury/Desert Goddess/Understudy)
Annie Oberholtzer (Aeetes)
Katherine Lynch (Medea)
Cameron Mabie (Styrus)
SUMMARY
In this fresh retelling of the classic Greek myth, Jason and his quest for the Golden Fleece has been reframed for our time. Join the fantastic voyage and encounter Hercules, Hera, sirens, centaurs, and more—familiar mythological figures imbued with unexpected character and depth. Discover humor, love, and the unimaginable as (class) reveals the humanity in the most monstrous of creatures in this unforgettable journey for the ages.
DRAMATURGY: Argonautika Dramaturgy
From a 3rd century B.C.E. epic poem, to an experimental theatre company in Chicago, and now to your computer screen, Missouri State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance brings you the story of Jason and the Argonauts. The complex generational conflict between two families, that of Phrixus and Helle and that of the king of Iolcos, culminates in the adventures of Jason, a seemingly unassuming young man swept into a world of monsters and gods, of friendship, love, heartbreak, and betrayal. His skills in leadership and inspiration, guided by the powers of Hera and Athena, bring him to victory through many trials. His failings as a human, though, are what ultimately bring about his downfall. The original tellers of this story lived in a world unrecognizable to today’s audiences, and yet the tale has survived to be brought to every generation that has succeeded them. Our production does not look like any theatrical production we have seen or produced before, nor did the original production of Argonautika look anything like the ways the Ancient Greeks transmitted their myths and beliefs. However, the human need to pass on stories has survived for millennia and will continue to do so. This production has overcome many hurdles in order to get to you tonight, but like the crew of the Argo our team has prevailed on their quest and brings you now, Mary Zimmerman’s Argonautika.
CAST BIOS
Kennedy Brown (Idmon/Andromeda) St. Louis, MO. Kennedy is a junior BFA Acting major. Her previous credits from Missouri State University include Female Ghost in Ghostly Trinkets, and Philematium in Mostellaria. Kennedy also has credits with Parkway West as Marcy Park in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and Inez in No Exit, and STAGES Performing Arts Academy as Catherine in Pippin.
Jacob Cannon (Hylas) St. Louis, MO. Jacob is a senior BS Theatre Studies major. His previous credits from Missouri State University include Guy Meyers in Rules of Comedy and the Director of Accused of Comedy. Jacob also has credits with Springfield Contemporary Theatre as Rossi Lomanitz in Oppenheimer, and Metro Theatre Company as the Dramaturg/Assistant Stage Manager for Early Days: Stories of the Pandemic. He is a recipient of the Be Strong Endowed Award from MSU Foundation, the Missouri State University Provost Scholarship, and the Dux Esto Excellence in Theatre award from St. Mary’s.
Eli DePriest (Hercules) Marshfield, MO. Eli is a junior BFA Musical Theatre major. He recently appeared as a Dancer in Missouri State University’s Spring Dance Concert. He also portrayed Chad in Springfield Little Theatre’s production of All Shook Up! and served as the Director/Choreographer Marshfield Community Theatre’s production of Seussical.
Hanna Lee Eisenbath (Athena) St. Charles, MO. Hanna is a junior BFA Acting major. She was last seen as Emilia/Abbess in Missouri State’s production of The Comedy of Errors, Ensemble/Soloist in Spectra Theatre Company’s production of Head Over Heels, Hilda in the Tennessee Williams Theatre Festival: St. Louis’s production of The Night of the Iguana, and Lead in BicMedia’s film Missouri Lottery: The Power of One.
Alyssa Gaul (Amycus/Phineus/Fury/Goddess of the Desert) Shawnee, KS. Alyssa is a junior BFA Acting major. Her previous credits from Missouri State University include Luciana in The Comedy of Errors, Simo in Mostellaria, and Hazel/Annabel Lee in Still Life with Iris. Alyssa also has credits in the Evangel University Films Afterburn and Inheritance, and with Shawnee Mission High School as Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance. She is the recipient of the In-School Players Scholarship, for which she is the troupe’s company leader.
Hailey Hance (Aphrodite/Woman of Lemnos/Goddess of the Desert) Waynesville, MO. Hailey is a senior BS Theatre Studies major. Her previous credits from Missouri State University include Madam Magistrate in Accused of Comedy, Starla Flefferton in The Clinic, Mom/Miss Overlook in Still Life with Iris, Mum in Parliament Square, and Monkey in The Jungle Book. Hailey also has credits with Theatre on the Square as Louise in The Fox on the Fairway and Maggie in Gifted. She is a recipient of the Theatre Regents Scholarship and the In-School Players Scholarship from the Missouri State University Department of Theatre and Dance.
Josie Rose Hand (Atalanta) Augusta, KS. Josie Rose is a sophomore BFA Musical Theatre and a BS Dance double major. Her previous credits from Missouri State University include Understudy Mary Lennox/Colin Craven in The Secret Garden, and Ensemble in Oklahoma! In Concert. Josie Rose has also been seen as Ensemble (U/S Philoclea) in Spectra Theatre Co.’s production of Head Over Heels, Teen Intern in Music Theatre Wichita’s production of Freaky Friday, and Millie Dillmount/Choreographer in Augusta High School’s production of Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Erin Hill (Asterion/Meleager’s Mother) Kansas City, MO. Erin is a senior BFA Acting major with a minor in Creative Writing. She was most recently seen in several Missouri State productions, including Chick in Crimes of the Heart, Tricia in Dog Sees God, and Izzy in Seminar. She also portrayed Jackie Oppenheimer in Springfield Contemporary Theatre’s production of Oppenheimer. Erin was awarded the Board of Governor’s Scholarship, Theatre Regents Scholarship, and In-School Players Scholarship.
Kayla Hill (Boreaas/Fury/Colchian Messenger/Goddess of the Desert) Liberty, MO. Kayla is a junior BFA Acting major. Recently, she portrayed Colleague in the production Parliament Square at Missouri State University, and Rebecca Nurse in the production of The Crucible and Curley’s Wife in the production of Of Mice and Men at Liberty High School.
Callandra Hudak (Dyope/Woman of Lemnos/Goddess of Desert/Fury) St. Louis, MO. Callandra is a senior BFA Acting major. Her previous credits from Missouri State University include Irma Kronkite in Picnic, and Amy Remmie in Castleway Road and Lilith in Misbehavior in the Film Department. With COCA, Callandra was seen as Teresita in West Side Story. Callandra is a recipient of the Theatre Regents Scholarship from the Missouri State University Department of Theatre and Dance.
Kat Lynch (Medea) Victoria, TX. Kat is a junior BFA Musical Theatre major. Her previous credits from Missouri State University include Betsey in The Secret Garden and Ensemble in Oklahoma! In Concert.
Cameron Mabie (Styrus) Independence, MO. Cameron is a junior BFA Acting major. His previous credits from Missouri State University include Robert Conklin in The Rimers of Eldritch. Cameron also has credits with Moritz in Spring Awakening with Spectra Theatre Co., Teenage Boy in the pilot episode of Remotely Working with Talking Dog Pictures, and Luke in the feature film Inheritance with Evangel Films.
Killian McHahon (Polyphemus) Bozeman, MT. Killian is a sophomore BFA Acting major.
Isabella Meara (Cepheus/Woman of Lemnos/Goddess of the Desert) Ballwin, MO. Isabella is a sophomore BFA Acting major. Recently, she portrayed Kafka in the production of All In the Timing: Words, Words, Words and Rona Lisa Peretti in the production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Parkway West High School as well as Ensemble in the production of Bye Bye Birdie at Ignite Theatre. Isabella made the Dean’s List for the 2019/2020 academic year and received the A+ Scholarship in the A+ Program at Parkway West in 2019.
Daniel Miller (Dymas) Belton, MO. Daniel is a junior BFA Acting major. His previous credits from Missouri State University include Balthazar in The Comedy of Errors, and Chorus in Rimers of Eldritch. Daniel has also been seen as Ensemble in The Wedding Singer with KC Cappies. He is a recipient of the Theatre Regents Scholarship from the Missouri State University Department of Theatre and Dance and the Board of Governors Scholarship from Missouri State University.
Annie Oberholtzer (Aeetes) Davis, CA. Annie is a sophomore BFA Acting major. Her previous credits include Olivia in Twelfth Night with ACME Theatre Company, and Antigone in Antigone and Donna in Mamma Mia with Sacramento Waldorf School. Annie is a recipient of the Board of Governors Scholarship.
Hannah Oldham (Aunt of Meleager) Spring Hills, KS. Hannah is a sophomore BFA Acting major. Her previous credits with JCCC include Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, Kayleen in Gruesome Playground Injuries, and Mary in The Children’s Hour.
Declan Rhodes (Meleager/Eros) Ozark, MO. Declan is a senior BFA Musical Theatre major. His previous credits from Missouri State University include U/S Ben/Dickon/Fakir/Major Holmes/Major Shelley in The Secret Garden, Pouncival in Cats, Ensemble in Bare: A Pop Opera, and Lucien in Amélie. He has also been seen as Dametas in Head Over Heels and Ernst in Spring Awakening with Spectra Theatre Company. Declan is a recipient of the George W. and Bernadene B. Oliver scholarship through the Missouri State University Department of Theatre and Dance.
Fiona Ross (Pollux) Sacramento, CA. Fiona is a sophomore double majoring in BFA Acting and BS English Literature. She most recently appeared as Julie in Miss Julie and Katherine in Because I am Your Queen at Missouri State University. She also appeared as Libby Tucker in the production of I Ought to be in Pictures and Rosalind in the production of As You Like It at Sacramento Theatre Company, and Viola in the production of Twelfth Night at Acme Theatre Company. Fiona received the Board of Governor’s Scholarship and the Giving Voice Scholarship.
Olivia Schmitt (Hera) Washington, MO. Olivia is a junior BFA Acting major. Her previous credits from Missouri State University include Cora Groves in The Rimers of Eldritch and Dancer in the 2019 Fall Dance Concert. Olivia was also seen as Dazie/Jane in Miss Kitty’s Saloon at Six Flags St. Louis. Her other credits include Beck Foster in Becky’s New Car and Judas in Godspell.
Jackson Spencer (Jason) Overland Park, MO. Jackson is a junior BFA Acting major.
John David Spence (Tiphys) Keller, TX. John is a junior BFA Acting major. He was recently seen as Alan in Missouri State University’s production of Picnic.
Emily Trent (Castor) Springfield, MO. Emily is a senior BFA Acting major. She was recently seen as Martha/Fight Captain in Missouri State’s production of Rimers of Eldritch. Emily was awarded the Kathleen Turner Scholarship, Theatre Regents Scholarship, and Provost Scholarship.
Matt Walter (King Pelias/Apsyrtos) Kearney, MO. Matt is a BS Theatre Studies major with a minor in Dance. He recently portrayed Reader #3 in the production of Can You Imagine for the BA/BS Senior Showcase, Soldier/Ensemble in the production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame at the Branson Regional Arts Council, and Ensemble in the production of Miss Julie and Tony in the production of My Sunshine for Tabula Rasa x UCYA. Matt was awarded the Board of Governor’s Scholarship and the Theatre Regents Scholarship.
Sierra Wilson (Narrator) Columbus, KS. Sierra is a senior BFA Acting major. Previously at Missouri State University, Sierra was seen as Lenny in Crimes of the Heart. Sierra also has credits with Springfield Contemporary Theatre as Jean Tatlock in Oppenheimer. She is a recipient of the Governor’s Scholarship from Missouri State University.
PRODUCTION/DESIGN TEAM BIOS
Dekayla Craigg (Assistant Stage Manager) Kansas City, MO. Dekayla is a senior BFA Design, Technology, and Stage Management major. Her previous credits from Missouri State University include Assistant Stage Manager for Amélie and Cats, and Properties Assistant for Rimers of Eldritch. She also served as an Assistant Stage Manager for Dog Sees God, and Hand to God and The Secretaries. Dekayla is a recipient of the Inclusive Leadership, and Theatre Regents Scholarships.
Mallory Koenigseder (Stage Manager) Fort Smith, AR. Mallory is a junior BFA Design, Technology, and Stage Management major. Mallory previously served as the Stage Manager for the University of Central Arkansas’ production of Medea, and the Springfield Orchestra’s production of Oklahoma. She also served as the Assistant Stage Manager for Missouri State University’s production of Picnic, and the University of Central Arkansas’ production of ‘Tis Pity.
Levi Manners (Sound Designer) Parsons, KS. Levi is a senior BFA Design, Technology, Stage Management major with an emphasis in Sound. Previous credits include The Secret Garden (Missouri State, Sound Design), Newsies, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Sister Act, Something Rotten (Bigfork Summer Playhouse’s 61st Season, Sound Design & Engineer), Oppenheimer (Springfield Contemporary Theatre, Sound & Projection Design),and Cats (Missouri State, Sound Design & Engineer). When not in the theatre, Levi enjoys hiking in state parks with friends and going on long drives through the Ozarks. Read more about Levi at www.mannerssound.com.