Theatre

The image shows a theatrical stage scene with five actors and a dog. Two women are on either side, one with a concerned expression and the other sitting with a newspaper, wearing a hat and coat. Several actors in vintage clothing stand in the background. The scene is illuminated with blue lighting.

Photo Credit: Missouri Western State University Department of Theatre & Cinema, 2012

Annie

Directed by Dallas Henry

A sunbeam in the shadow of the Great Depression, Annie follows a bold young orphan whose optimism melts the icy heart of a billionaire reminding us all that hope, like the sun, will rise again.

Role: Running Stage Crew Member

Book by Thomas Meehan | Music by Charles Strouse | Lyrics by Martin Charnin

Inspired byLittle Orphan Annie by Harold Gray

Winter Musical for the 2012-13 MoWest Theatre season, “A Season of the Tony”

Annie is the 1977 winner of 7 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score.

Photo Credit: Missouri Western State University Department of Theatre & Cinema, 2013

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

Directed by Tee Quillin

A macabre operatic thriller carved in vengeance and meat pies, Sweeney Todd haunts the alleys of London with a straight-razor’s edge cutting deep into justice, obsession, and madness.

Role: Head Stage Crew Member

Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim | Book by Hugh Wheeler

Based on the play by Christopher Bond, which reimagined the 19th-century legend The String of Pearls

Sweeney Todd was the final production of the 2012-13 MoWest Theatre season, “A Season of the Tony”. It was the winner of 8 Tony Awards in 1979 including Best Musical and Best Original Score.

Photo Credit: Missouri Western State University Department of Music - Opera Workshop, 2016

Ragtime: The Musical

Directed by Dr. Susan Carter & Dr. Laurel Vartabedian

Adapted for educational purposes by Dr. Laurel Vartabedian

Epic and elegiac in scale and soul, Ragtime weaves together the lives of Black pioneers, Jewish immigrants, and privileged revolutionary dreamers, capturing the clashing rhythms of a country on the verge of transformation at the dawn of a new century where the heartbeat of America pulses through piano keys and protest songs.

Role: Narrator / Booker T. Washington / Judge / Ensemble

Book by Terrence McNally | Music by Stephen Flaherty | Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens

Based on the novel Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow

2016 MoWest Opera Workshop production

Winner of 4 Tony Awards in 1998 including Best Original Score

A man wearing a tuxedo with a bow tie, holding a martini glass, exhales smoke or vapor, standing beside a woman in a silver satin dress holding a drink, both appear to be at a formal event or performance.

Photo Credit: Missouri Western State University Department of Theatre & Cinema, 2013

Private Lives

Directed by Dallas Henry

A cocktail of razor-sharp wit and romantic combustion, Noël Coward’s Private Lives is a sophisticated comedy of manners—where ex-spouses reunite on adjacent honeymoons and champagne meets chaos.

Role: Assistant Stage Manager

Written by Noël Coward

Original Work: An original play first performed in 1930, acclaimed for its biting elegance and timeless mischief.

Third production of 2012-13 MoWest Theatre season, “A Season of the Tony” performed in repertoire with a production of God of Carnage by Yasmine Reza

Private Lives was the 1970 winner of multiple Tony Awards including Best Actress in a Leading Role (Play)

The original premiere of Private Lives predates the origin of the Tony Awards as well as the Oliver Awards

Photo Credit: Missouri Western State University Department of Theatre & Cinema, 2017

The Wedding Singer

Directed by Dr. Bob Willenbrink, Dean for MoWest School of Fine Arts

In a world of teased hair, tacky tuxedos, and boombox ballads, The Wedding Singer is a glitter-soaked celebration of love lost and found in the most unexpected melodies. Full of big hair, bigger dreams, and a busted engagement in an ’80s whirlwind of pop ballads, polyester, and second chances.

Role: Mr. T Impersonator / Father of the Bride / Ensemble

Music by Matthew Sklar | Lyrics by Chad Beguelin

Book by Chad Beguelin & Tim Herlihy

Based on the New Line Cinema film The Wedding Singer written by Tim Herlihy and starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore

Final production of 2016-2017 MoWest theatre season

Eric’s first and final performance on the MoWest mainstage as an actor and a student. 

Nominated for multiple 2006 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score

Photo Credit: Missouri Western State University Department of Theatre & Cinema/St. Joseph News Press, 2016

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Directed by Tee Quillin

Beneath the quirky charm and comic chaos of adolescent competition lies a tender spell of belonging, pressure, and identity. Spelling Bee is both a satire and a sanctuary for the awkwardly extraordinary.

Role: Assistant Stage Manager / Production Dramaturg

Music and Lyrics by William Finn | Book by Rachel Sheinkin

Conceived by Rebecca Feldman | Additional Material by Jay Reiss

Inspired by the original improvisational work created by The Farm theatre troupe

First production of the 2016-2017 MoWest theatre season

2005 winner of two Tony Awards: Best Book of a Musical and Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical; nominated for 2006 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album