One of four universities chosen nationwide

The University of Missouri-Kansas City is one of four universities nationwide to take a lead role in a national effort to build stronger ties between college theatre programs and professional theatre companies.

UMKC Theatre has been selected by The Acting Company to lead one of four consortiums, part of a new national performance and education initiative. A total of 26 organizations, comprised of universities, colleges, public/private high schools and community organizations, are spread among the four consortiums. They will offer professional development opportunities with playwrights, actors, designers, directors and educators over the next three years.

“Our students already benefit from strong ties with some of the top theatre companies in Kansas City,” said Tom Mardikes, UMKC Theatre chair. “We are elated to provide them the opportunity to work with the renowned Acting Company.” UMKC Theatre students receive intensive training and experience including performances at nationally recognized companies such as Unicorn Theatre, Coterie Theatre and Kansas City Repertory Theatre.

Through the consortium initiative, UMKC will take the lead in offering programs with The Acting Company for students at UMKC, Kansas State University, University of Missouri-Columbia, University of Kansas, University of Central Missouri, Kansas City Young Audiences, Shawnee Mission North High School, St. Teresa’s Academy, Rockhurst High School and Olathe East High School.

“This new initiative continues The Acting Company’s 42-year history as America’s leading national-touring repertory theater while adding new emphasis on developing concentrated and sustained relationships with schools and communities,” said Earl D. Weiner, the Company’s Board Chairman.

In addition to UMKC, the other three consortium-leading schools are Arizona State University, Towson University and State University of New York-Oswego. The program is designed to forge long-term relationships between The Acting Company, universities and communities-at-large. The long-term goal is to help revitalize the creative relationship between academic programs and the professional theater community. A series of conferences to launch the consortiums will be held in Kansas City; Oswego, New York; Tempe, Arizona; and Towson, Maryland as part of the first year’s design and development process.

Founded by John Houseman and Margot Harley in 1972, the New York-based Acting Company has toured to 48 states and 10 foreign countries earning a TONY for Excellence in Theater, Obies, Audelcos and Los Angeles Critics Circle Awards.  Kevin Kline, Rainn Wilson, Patti LuPone, Frances Conroy, Jeffrey Wright, Harriet Harris, David Ogden Stiers, Keith David, David Schramm, Hamish Linklater and Jesse L. Martin are among the hundreds of performers who began their careers on tour with The Acting Company.