Telekinetic freak-out markets new “Carrie” movie

A University of Missouri-Kansas City graduate is getting some serious attention, thanks to a video that went viral this week, generating more than 25 million views.

Andrea Morales terrified coffee shop patrons as the star of “Telekinetic Coffee Shop Surprise,” a short video in which Morales uses otherworldly powers to punish a man who spilled coffee on her laptop. In it, she appears to knock the man against a wall, suspend him in mid-air, move chairs and tables by sheer will, and bring books flying off nearby shelves.

The video is now known to be a publicity stunt for the upcoming remake of the movie “Carrie,” but that hasn’t stopped people from tuning in to Morales’ coffee shop surprise.

But before Morales was shocking coffee drinkers, the actress was getting attention in local theatres. Morales earned her Master of Fine Arts in Acting from UMKC’s Theatre department in 2012.

She held roles in several Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Coterie Theatre, and, of course, UMKC Theatre productions. According to her website, some of her favorite UMKC roles include Perdita/Mamillius in “The Winter’s Tale,” Philaneum in “The Comedy of Asses” and Thaisa in “Pericles, Prince of Tyre.”

Her viral success has generated excitement in the UMKC Theatre department.

“We frequently have students in really high profile productions around the United States, as well as in television and film. In the past few years, we’ve seen a few students in major YouTube videos, but none have made quite as big an impact as Andrea’s. We’re happy for her success. She’s a wonderful person and a talented actress,” Tom Mardikes, chair of UMKC Theatre, said.

Morales is originally from West Lafayette, Indiana. She is now living in New York City.