UCM Theatre & Dance to Present ‘The Importance of Being Earnest’

 

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) Division of Theatre and Dance will premiere “The Importance of Being Earnest” on Nov. 19-22 in the Highlander Theatre. 

“The Importance of Being Earnest” by Oscar Wilde is a sharp and witty comedy that satirizes the social expectations and moral pretenses of Victorian England. Through clever dialogue and biting humor, Wilde exposes the absurdities of class, courtship and identity, creating a timeless play that continues to entertain audiences with its intelligence and charm.

 

“‘Earnest’ is a very fun play. Oscar Wilde created a cast of characters that are really exciting for our actors to embrace – accent and all,” said Aaron Scully, Ph.D., associate professor of Theatre and production director. “Wilde was also a master of comedy through language – incredibly witty in its satire-punchline combination. I think that’s what makes it a masterpiece within the canon of dramatic literature. I really think the audience is going to love escaping back to 1890s Victorian England to go on this hilarious journey of love and mischief with this cast. It’s not to be missed!”

For this production, UCM Theatre and Dance welcomed guest dialect coach Franklin Wagner. 

 

“The cast has been wonderful to work with,” Wagner said. “The students committed themselves to exploring the sounds of Received Pronunciation and how they support the wit and charm inherent in Wilde's characters and text. I'm looking forward to audiences seeing their characters come to life on stage.”

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 19-22 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 22 at the Highlander Theatre on the UCM campus. The Sunday matinee will be a Pay-What-You-Can performance. Audiences may choose to pay any amount, $1 or more, for a ticket. ASL interpreters will be provided for the Nov. 21 performance. 

All tickets for UCM Theatre and Dance productions are free for UCM students upon showing their student ID. Tickets are also free for active military personnel, veterans and military families upon presentation of a military ID at the Theatre and Dance Box Office. 

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

The cast includes Cal Klaus as Algernon, John Plasencio as Jack, Grace’e Carr as Cecily, Raegan Weber as Gwendolen, Hannah Vath as Lady Bracknell, Illary Soto as Miss Prism, Xander Corkins as Rev. Chasuble, Payton Lawrence as Lane and Ellie Siegfried as Merriman. 

The production team includes Director Aaron Scully, Assistant Director Rosalyn Schuster, Stage Manager Gabe Sokolowski, Assistant Stage Managers Rosalyn Schuster and Shannon Williamson, Dialect Coach Franklin Wagner, Technical Director Spencer Musser, Assistant Technical Director Daniel Aubun, Lighting Designer Ari Kendrick, Sound Designer Sam Fischer, Lighting and Sound Faculty Advisor Aleksandra Combs, Scenic Designer Spencer Musser, Assistant Scenic Designer Emma Stevens, Properties Designer Alyna Mathews, Costume Designer and Costume Shop Supervisor Cassie Kay Hoppas, Hair and Makeup Designer Lucy Nutt, Sound Board Operator Maddison Cole, Light Board Operator Mason Enright, Publicity/Marketing Director Aaron Scully, Social Media Marketing Specialist Madison Keep, Scene Shop Graduate Assistant Jack Ezell, Wardrobe Crew Head Lola Simmons, School of Visual and Performing Arts Events Manager Mackynze Rosas, Office Professional Lars Jepsen and student office workers Jake Collins and Madison Keep.

Additional production team members include the Wardrobe Crew: Ava Broerman, Noah McEwen and Cami Wieberg; Run Crew: Finn Juliano, Dawson Black, Damian Schaffnit and Rylin Tolle; Scene Shop Hires: Sam Fischer, Payton Lawrence, Lizzy Molina, Mayeli Rodriguez, Rosalyn Schuster, Emma Stevens and Rylin Tolle; Lighting Shop Hires: Brody Lafrentz, Ari Kendrick and Gabe Sokolowski; Costume Shop Hires: Josie Hougham, Sage Miller, Avory Nail, Lucy Nutt and Emma Stevens; and Box Office and House Management Team: Daniel Aubun, Jake Collins, Sam Fischer and Alyna Mathews. 

UCM Theatre & Dance has two productions remaining in the 2025-26 Make ‘Em Laugh season: “Bus Stop” on Feb. 26-March 1 and “9 to 5” on April 17-19 and April 23-25. 

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.