UMKC’s weekly arts and culture roundup
Every week, the University of Missouri-Kansas City offers an array of on-campus activities. It’s nothing new. UMKC has a long legacy of hosting countless culturally enriching events. These activities are part of what has made UMKC an arts and culture powerhouse. The influence of UMKC-based and UMKC-trained artists extends well beyond the campus’ edge, so their activities are listed here as well.
Featured Event: “A Devil Inside”
UMKC Theatre’s “A Devil Inside” is a true dark comedy. Set in New York’s Lower East Side, the story begins on Gene Slater’s 21st birthday, when an ominous gift sets the wheels of fate in motion, and we learn about a murderous tale kept secret for 14 years. David Lindsay-Abaire’s twisted tale of love and revenge is a delightful and absurd trip.
“At the heart of this wildly absurd comic tragedy, the people in the play are wrestling with the same issues of morality, guilt and desire that we do on a daily basis,” Scott Stackhouse, director, said.
Lindsay-Abaire specializes in putting his characters through immense pain and suffering, then sifting through the chaos as they attempt to rationalize themselves in an insane world. Best of all, he brings humor to otherwise solemn topics.
The main roles in “A Devil Inside” are played by:
Chelsey Tighe (Mrs. Slater) is a senior in the UMKC undergrad department. While at UMKC, Chelsey has produced, directed, assistant stage managed, crewed, and/or acted in multiple shows including Miss Julie, White Liars/Black Comedy, Don Giovanni, Ruined, They Shoot Horses Don’t They, Woyzeck, The Farnsworth Invention, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, and Lady From the Sea. She is also serving as president of the University Theatre Association for the 2012-2013 school year.
Danny Fleming (Gene) is a senior undergraduate theatre major with an emphasis on performance. This will be Danny’s seventh production at UMKC. Danny has portrayed Brindsley in Black Comedy, Adam in The Shape of Things, Contestant #7 in Shoot Horses, Philo Farnsworth in The Farnsworth Invention, Simon the Zealot in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot and Dion in Barry Kyle’s interpretation of Shakespeare’s A Winter’s Tale.
Janaé Mitchell (Caitlin) is a 2nd-year graduate acting student. She earned her B.A. in Theatre-Performance from Louisiana State University. This summer she appeared in DADA is Dead/Long Live Dada in the KC Fringe Festival. Previous roles include Hilde in The Lady from the Sea, Dorcas/Oracle in The Winter’s Tale, St. Monica/Mother Teresa in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot, Imogen in Cymbeline (UMKC), Ismene in Antigone (Young Theatre Festival-Seoul, Korea), and Coroner/Pandorain in Self-Defense or Death of Some Salesmen (Swine Palace Productions).
Courtney Salvage (Lily) is a 2nd-year MFA actor and California native who earned her BFA in acting from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Previous UMKC credits include Cunningham in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot and Prayerful Woman/Mopsa in The Winter’s Tale.
Antonio Jerron Glass (Brad) is a 2nd year graduate acting student. He has played Carlyle in Streamers, Acrobat and Dancer in Mixed Nuttz, King and Slave in These people could fly, Negro Resurrectionist in Venus, Monty in The Taking of Miss Janie, Man in Killa Dilla, Lawrence in Don’t Get God Started at University of California Santa Cruz Theatre, Archidamus, Bear and Guard in The Winter’s Tale and El Fayoumy in The Last Days of Judas Iscariot at UMKC.
Logan Black (Carl) is a 2nd-year graduate actor with a B.F.A. from the University of Utah. Last summer he could be seen in Heart of America’s productions of A Midsummer’s Night Dream and Anthony & Cleopatra. UMKC productions include The Winter’s Tale, The Last Days of Judas Iscariot and Cymbeline. Chicago credits include The Last Daughter of Oedipus with The Babes with Blades and Henry IV parts 1&2 at Oak Park Festival Theatre.
“A Devil Inside” is directed by Scott Stackhouse. Stackhouse teaches acting and directing for the Undergraduate Theatre program. Since earning his M.F.A. at the University of California-Los Angeles, Stackhouse has worked regionally and nationally as an actor, director, vocal coach, and fight choreographer. He spends his summers at Seaside Repertory Theatre in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida where he most recently directed Around the World in 80 Days and The Commedia Pinnochio.
What: UMKC Theatre presents “A Devil Inside.”
Where: Studio 116, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry Street
Kansas City, Mo.
When: Through December 9.
Get more details.
Friday, December 7 – Thursday, December 13
What: UMKC Theatre and the Unicorn Theatre present “Inspecting Carol.”
Where: Unicorn Theatre, 3828 Main Street, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Through December 23.
UMKC Connection: This is a co-production with UMKC Theatre.
Get more details.
What: “Look Attractive.” The UMKC Gallery of Art presents a curated exhibition that features work from seven national and international artists who address the subject of attraction.
Where: 204 Fine Arts Building, 5015 Holmes Street, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Exhibit runs through January 14.
Get more details.
What: A doctoral lecture-recital with Chris Waage, bass trombone.
Where: Grant Recital Hall, 5227 Holmes Street, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Friday, December 7, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free. Get more details.
What: A doctoral recital with Sharra Wagner, clarinet.
Where: Faith Lutheran Church, 4805 W. 67th St, Prairie Village, Ks.
When: Saturday, December 8, 5 p.m.
It’s free. Get more details.
What: Doctoral Recital with Charl Louw, piano.
Where: Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 9100 Mission Road, Prairie Village, Kan.
When: Monday, December 10, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free. Get more details.
What: A master’s recital with Stephen Fish, bass.
Where: St. John’s United Methodist Church, 6900 Ward Parkway, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Tuesday, December 11, 7:30 p.m.
It’s free. Get more details.
What: “Have I been here before?” This is the first exhibition organized by Charlotte Street Foundation’s inaugural Curator-In-Residence, Jamilee Polson Lacy. Public reading and potluck reception held in conjunction with “Have I Been Here Before?”
Where: La Esquina, 1000 W 25th St. Kansas City, Mo.
UMKC Connection: Art and Art History students assisted with this exhibition.
When: The public reading and potluck will take place Saturday, December 8, from 6 to 8 p.m.; the exhibit will run through December 22.
Get more details.
What: Fall Opera: Lehár’s “The Merry Widow.” The Conservatory presents its Fall Opera—Franz Lehár’s “Die Lustige Witwe” (The Merry Widow). The opera will be directed by Marciem Bazell.
Where: White Recital Hall, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, 4949 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Mo.
When: December 7-9.
Get more details.
What: “A Christmas Carol.” Complete with lively musical numbers, ornate costuming and dashing stagecraft, Dickens’ classic tale of hope and redemption continues to remind us what’s really worth celebrating.
Where: Spencer Theatre, James C. Olson Performing Arts Center, Room 326, 4949 Cherry Street, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Now through December 26.
UMKC Connection: The Kansas City Repertory Theatre is the professional theatre in residence at UMKC.
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What: “Dwell(ing).” The artists in this show were simply given the title, “Dwell(ing).”
Where: The Beggars Table Church and Gallery, 2010 Baltimore Ave., Kansas City, Mo.
When: The exhibit will run through December 31.
UMKC Connection: Art BA alum Christopher Clark’s work is included in the exhibit.
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What: Dossier 4.1 Release Party and Exhibition. Join us for Dossier Magazine issue 4.1′s release, featuring artwork and writing by current UMKC students. Free copies of the magazine will be available and artworks featured in the issue will be exhibited.
Where: Dean’s Gallery, Miller Nichols Library, 800 East 51st Street.
When: December 13, 6 to 8 p.m.
Get more details.
What: The New Theatre Restaurant’s “The Game’s Afoot,” features Marion Ross, best known for her role in “Happy Days.”
Where: The New Theatre Restaurant, 9299 Foster, Overland Park, Ks.
When: Now through January 20.
UMKC Connection: Co-owners Dennis Hennessy and Richard Carrothers are both UMKC graduates and both were presented this year with honorary doctorates by the UMKC College of Arts and Sciences.
Get more details.
What: The Coterie Theatre presents “Shrek the Musical,” based on the DreamWorks film.
Where: 2450 Grand Blvd., Suite 144, Kansas City, Mo.
When: Performances run through December 30.
UMKC Connection: Two UMKC graduate theatre students founded the Coterie.
Get more details.
What: Christmas Festival. The Symphony and Symphony Chorus present musical arrangements of cherished Christmas carols and songs of the season, and welcome guest singers and musicians for a healthy dose of Christmas cheer.
When: December 14 -16.
Where: Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, 1601 Broadway, Kansas City, Mo.
UMKC Connection: The Kansas City Symphony was founded by faculty member Karl Krueger in 1933.
Get more details.