UCM Theatre & Dance to Present ‘Cabaret,’ Honor Outstanding Theatre Alumnus

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) Division of Theatre and Dance invites audiences to the Kit Kat Klub as it presents the musical “Cabaret” in April.

Revel in the decadence, the flamboyant costumes, the flirtatious dancing, and the music of 1930s Berlin. Spend a night in this seedy nightspot, and you may forget your troubles, but beware – political upheaval and a growing intolerance are right outside Cabaret’s doors.

“I’m so incredibly proud of everyone who is working on this production – we really are creating something special,” said Aaron Scully, Ph.D., director and assistant professor of Theatre. “This is going to be an exciting experience for our audience. I think they are really going to enjoy themselves but also be incredibly moved by the story. The audience immersion element really makes them integral to the show’s success, so get ready to spend an evening at The Kit Kat Club!”

UCM Theatre and Dance is thrilled to have 2023 Theatre alumna Stephanie Heathcock returning as Stage Manager for the production. 

“This is such an important story, and it’s not lost on me just how lucky I am to help share it here, today, with such a smart cast and team of creatives,” Heathcock said.

Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. April 11-12 and 17-19 and at 2 p.m. April 13 in the Highlander Theatre in the Martin Building. Tickets are free for UCM students, military members, veterans and military families with valid ID at the door. 

The April 13 matinee will be a Pay-What-You-Can performance, and audiences may pay any amount, $1 or more, for a ticket. ASL interpreters will be provided for the 7:30 p.m. April 12 performance. 

Tickets are available at the UCM Theatre and Dance Office in Martin 113 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, by calling 660-543-4020 or at ucmboxoffice.universitytickets.com. For more information, call 660-543-4020 or email boxoffice@ucmo.edu.

Before the Saturday, April 12 performance, UCM Theatre and Dance will honor Sara Given as the 2025 Ed See Outstanding Theatre Alumnus. Ed See, Ph.D., established the award through the UCM Alumni Foundation upon his retirement from UCM. The purpose of the endowment is to honor UCM Theatre alumni who have distinguished themselves in theatre education, community theatre or professional theatre and have demonstrated commitment and love for the theatre arts. The award recognizes alumni who have honored their alma mater through their dedication and theatrical achievements. 

Given received a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication and Theatre Education from Central Missouri State University and a Master of Education in Educational Administration from William Woods University. She retired in 2024 after a 30-year career at Mexico High School. 

At MHS, Given was the head coach of the speech and debate team, coaching students to the MSHSAA State competition all 30 years, as well as coaching 11 national-qualifying competitors and three Academic All-American students with the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA). She directed more than 80 mainstage plays, musicals, one-acts and readers' theatre productions. She was also an adjunct instructor at Moberly Area Community College (MACC) and William Woods University for several years.

In 2012, she founded the Jellybean Speech Festival, a performance event that allows students with special needs to share their gifts. By 2019, Missouri had four Jellybean Festival sites. The program stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Given’s goal is to revive the program through her work at the Presser Arts Center and Audrain Developmental Disabilities Services.

In addition to being a Double-Diamond Coach for the NSDA, Given has received numerous awards, including 2012 Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year, 2013 and 2014 Special Olympics Exceptional Believer Award, 2015 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Teaching and Innovation Award, 2016 NSDA Director's Commendation, 2016 MSHSAA Speech and Debate Coach of the Year, 2015-16 NFHS Outstanding Speech, Debate and Theatre Educator, and 2020-21 MACC Adjunct Instructor Excellence in Teaching Award.

Given is married to Robert Given and is the mother of Riley Given and the stepmother of Cole Given.

The “Cabaret” cast features Audrey Shepard as Emcee, Rosalyn Schuster as Sally Bowles, Caleb Klaus as Clifford Bradshaw, Christopher Schilligo as Ernst Ludwig, John Plasencio as Herr Schultz, Alannah Trigg as Fraulein Schneider, Hannah Vath as Fraulein Kost/Fritzie, Ayden Christensen as Bobby/Sailor, Trae Selemaea as Victor, Quinn Allen as Max/Herman/Customs Official, Reagan Medlock as Lulu, Nathalia Cordero as Rosie, Claire Groos as Texas, Raegan Weber as Frenchie, Allison Whitbey as Helga, Molly Jones as Kit Kat Manager and Anna Fletcher as Kit Kat Girl Understudy. 

The production team includes Director Aaron Scully, Ph.D., Assistant Director Kaia Trujillo, Stage Manager Stephanie Heathcock, Assistant Stage Manager Grace Kim, Lighting Design by Arianna Kendrick, Sound Design by Gabe Sokolowski, Scenic Design/Technical Direction by Spencer Musser, Costume Designer Molly Blackburn, Costume Shop Supervisor Cassie Kay Hoppas, Assistant Lighting Design by Wesley Freeman, Musical Director Iona DeWalt, Choreographer Ashley Miller-Scully, Associate Choreographer/Dance Captain Raegan Weber, Dramaturgy by Kristy Boney, Ph.D., Dialect Coach Julia Trumpold, Ph.D., Sound Board Operator Brody Lafrentz, Light Board Operator Charlie Vitale, Publicity/Marketing Director Aaron Scully, Ph.D., Social Media Marketing Specialist Madison Keep, Scene Shop Graduate Assistant Jack Ezell, Wardrobe Crew Head Alea Ware, Box Office Manager Lars Jepsen, Assistant Box Office by Jacob Collins and Madison Keep, House Manager Ashley Singh, Office Professional Lars Jepsen and Office Student Assistants Jacob Collins and Madison Keep. 

Additional team members include Wardrobe Crew: Dmitry Crawford, Mason Enright, James Gibson, Josie Hougham and Karlee Troutt; Fly Rail/Run Crew: Jacob Collins; Scene and Lighting Shop Hires: Joe Devero, Sam Fischer, Brody Lafrentz, Payton Lawrence, Alyna Mathews, Lizzy Molina, Avory Nail, Olly Ozias and Charlie Vitale; and Costume Shop Hires: Molly Blackburn, Josie Hougham, Sage Miller, Avory Nail, Lucy Nutt, Emma Stevens and Raegan Weber.

Orchestra members include Luna Jackson on Reed 1 (clarinet, opt. A clarinet and alto saxophone); Kyla Kent on Reed 2 (clarinet and tenor saxophone); Barrett Conn on trumpet; Jake Keller on trombone; Sam Panico on synthesizer (primarily accordion); Cory Schmitz-Hoepker on drum set, cowbells, woodblock, triangle, xylophone, ratchet, bird whistle, siren, temple blocks, sandpaper, tambourine, bells, timpani and whistle; Spencer Burch on banjo and guitar; Jack Ezell on bass; and Iona DeWalt on piano.

For more information, contact Ashley Miller-Scully, chair of the Division of Theatre and Dance, at almiller@ucmo.edu or find UCM Theatre and Dance on Facebook or Instagram.