“To watch us dance is to hear our hearts speak”
– Hopi Tribe Saying
With all of the care in the world and warmth in our hearts, we are proud to announce and congratulate the spring 2021 graduates from our Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Science in Dance programs! We have ten seniors who have dedicated their education to using their dance abilities and choreographic creations to create ephemeral pieces of magic. They have persevered through these uncertain and changing times and come out more ready and prepared than before. We can say without a doubt that each graduate has made such an impact in the Department of Theatre and Dance and at Missouri State University.
With that, we could not be more overjoyed to congratulate the following seniors: Katie Allison, Madison Crosby, Patrick Heslip, Loren Limas-Currea, Isaiah Luna, Allison Meier, Hailey Panek, Max Ruether, Allegra Schaeffer, and Josie Walker.
Katie Allison (she/her) is graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. Her credits include Dancer in the Fall and Spring Dance Concerts all four years at Missouri StateUniversity, Choreographer in the 2019 Fall Dance Concert, PreVaIL, and Sillabub in CATS.
“The thing I loved the most about this program is being apart of such a close community of people with both my peers and professors – this helped me to learn from others as a dancer and a human.” She would also like to “thank all of the dance professors for giving me opportunities and pushing me farther than I ever thought possible, my family for helping me get to Missouri State in the first place, and my dance peers past and present for constantly inspiring me with your hard work and dedication – I truly wouldn’t be the person I am today without your continuous creativity.”
Following graduation, Katie plans to stay in Springfield and continue teaching at Dynamics Dance. She plans to keep her eyes open for local performance opportunities in hopes things continue going back to normal.
Madison Crosby is graduating with a Bachelors of Science of Dance.
Patrick Heslip is graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Dance.
Loren Limas-Currea is graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Dance.
Isaiah Luna (he/him) is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Dance and a minor in Design. His credits include Dancer in the Spring Dance Concerts 2017-2021 and the 2019 Fall Studio Series Silurian, Choreographer and Director of the dance film Artistic Tendancies, Co-founder of MO State Dance Co. and their Fundraising Director fall 2018 – spring 2020.
“I think the main thing I enjoyed during my undergrad was having the opportunity to grow into my own artistic self. The community in the department is SO CREATIVE! Everyone’s willing to create and help your ideas become a reality.” He would like to thank Ruth Barnes, Sarah Wilcoxon, Azaria Hogans and Sara Brummel for “all having been amazing faculty to me. I came to Missouri State University knowing nothing about dance and feeling like I was behind, but I was instantly welcomed with love and support. I don’t think I could’ve grown into the artist I am now if it wasn’t for any of them.💞”
Following graduation, Isaiah plans to build his dance resume and audition for as many dance companies and gigs as he can. “I’m also wanting to get into selling my art, so be know the lookout for some art by Luna!!”
Allison Meier (she/her) is graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. Her credits include Dancer in the Fall and Spring Dance Concerts all four years at Missouri State University, a character in Legally Blonde: The Musical, and her self-directed Studio Series piece. She has performed and taught classes with Inertia Dance Company, performed in Lee Kyung-eun’s dance piece at the American Dance Festival summer 2017 intensive, and performed in partnership with Springfield Dance Alliance. She has also taken classes with guest artists Mark Santillano, Cara Hagan, 10 Hairy Legs, and Mina Samuels.
Her favorite undergraduate experiences included “learning and working with her fellow dancers. Making new connections that turned into lifelong friendships of support has been one of the most cherished gifts.” She would like to thank Sara Brummel, Sarah Wilcoxon, Azaria Hogans, Julie Bubalo, Darryl Clark, and Richard Nebel for their invaluable instruction and advice; her parents for their steadfast support (despite having to take the long and winding route); and Ruth Barnes, “for whom without her support she may not be dancing at all.”
Following graduation, Allison plans to continue her somatic education, broaden her teaching certifications, refine her collaborative skill set, and seek every opportunity she can to grow as an artist.
Hailey Panek is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Dance and a Bachelor of Science in Theatre.
Maxwell Ruether (he/him) is graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance. His credits at M.S.U. include Macavity/Plato in Cats and Dancer in Sightlines: 2019 Spring Dance Concert and Dancing the Next Dimension: 2021 Spring Dance Concert. Other credits include Race in Newsies at Springfield Little Theatre
“One of my favorite memories that comes to mind from my time in the department is when Missouri State hosted A.C.D.A. The final night after the Gala, there was a big dance party held in the PSU Ballroom. After pictures were taken and we got into the heart of the dance party, Azaria Hogans joined all of the students in a giant dance circle and we all danced together. Not having a care in the world, seeing everyone truly enjoy themselves after working so hard to put on the conference was just a reward in itself. I had a blast working and taking part in the classes of the conference and that dance party was the beautiful bow that wrapped it all up.” He would like to thank “Sarah Wilcoxon for being the world’s greatest advisor, professor, director, and person. Without her constant support, pushing me to be my absolute best, I don’t know how I would’ve made it to graduation day. She gave me the tough love I needed to survive my lowest lows and allowed me to see the best in myself in anything I did. Sarah provided me multiple opportunities to truly develop and shine as a dancer and for that, and many other reasons, I will be forever grateful.”
Following graduation, Maxwell plans to stay in Springfield for at least a year or two, saving money to end up in either the East or West coast. In the meantime, he will work as a dance teacher and choreographer for Springfield Little Theatre and their educational programs.
Allegra Schaeffer is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Dance and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre.
Josie Walker is graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance.
Together, Katie, Madison, Patrick, Loren, Isaiah, Allison, Hailey, Max, Allegra, and Josie are the future of their fields in the performing arts industry. They are leaving the Department of Theatre and Dance with their heads held high, a mountain of support behind them, and the knowledge of what it means to be a Bear. We wish you the best of luck out there, graduates. Wherever life takes you, remember all those you have impacted, and that you have made an incredible Missouri State-ment.
The Department of Theatre and Dance will not be the same without you.