UCM Theatre and Dance Premieres ‘Remember the Dance’ April 20-23

WARRENSBURG, MO – UCM Theatre and Dance presents “Remember the Dance” in the Black Box Theatre at Nickerson Hall at 7:30 p.m. April 20, 21 and 22, and 2 p.m. on April 22 and 23. The April 23 matinee is Pay-What-You-Can (minimum $1 or above for a ticket), and will include ASL interpreters.  Seating is limited. The show is family-friendly. 

“Remember the Dance” is a world premiere production unlike any other UCM Theatre and Dance has produced. Using an original script written by Assistant Professor of Theatre Dr. Aaron Scully, eight original dances were choreographed by students and faculty that are interspersed within the play. The play tells the story of Betsy, a woman experiencing early onset Alzheimer’s who is reflecting on a friendship she had in college that inspired her to become the person she would come to be. 

The choreography is by UCM Theatre and Dance student choreographers, Francois Des Marteau, ajunct dance faculty, and UCM Theatre and Dance Professor of Dance, Ashley Miller-Scully. Kansas City-based artist and musician Jack McClain composed, performed and recorded all original music for the production. Additionally, Matt Pedersen, assistant costume design professor at Southern Utah University and UCM Theatre and Dance alumni, contributed costume designs and spent the final week of production working with students implementing the designs. Pedersen and McClain’s participation in this project is generously supported by UCM’s Digital Learning and Instructional Innovation Speaker Series Grant(s).

When asked about the production, Scully stated: “This production is really something special - the amount of collaboration among the faculty, students and guest artists has been tremendous. It’s a simple story about family, memories and the events and people in our lives that have a lasting impact on us. And though a simple story, it has become quite a production. I think people will really enjoy it.”
 
The cast includes: Katie Marshall as Betsy, Grace Clark as Young Betsy, Jennifer White as Christina, Shanna Sinow as Jillian, TiJhana Hines as Ettie, and Kayla Addison as Lainie. The dance ensemble includes: Addison Rutherford, Brittany King, Mackenzie Lewis, Kennedy Jean Reisdorph and Raegen Weber.
The Crew includes:  Directors Ashley Miller-Scully and Dr. Aaron Scully; Stage Manager, Madeline Clark; Composer, Jack McClain; Choreographers, Francois Des Marteau, TiJhana Hines, Addison Rutherford, Ashley Miller-Scully, Shanna Sinow; Technical Director  and Scenic Designer, Spencer Musser; Lighting Design Coordinator and Supervisor, Jamie Gresens; Costume, Hair and Makeup Designer, Matthew Pedersen; Sound Designer, Molly Blackburn; Dance Captain, Shanna Sinow; Dramaturg, Grace Clark; Assistant Stage Manager, Paige Showen; Assistant Choreographer: Karissa Holst, Lighting Designers, Wes Freeman, Jamie Gresens, Luke Habjan, Ari Kendrick, Hollie Neumann; Costume Shop Supervisor, Cassie Kay Hoppas; Wardrobe Supervisor, Claire Groos; Scene Shop Staff, Joe Clark, Alyna Mathews, Rosalyn Schuster; Costume Shop Staff, Jake Collins, Maryn Edwards, Isabel Messina, Hollie Neumann, Cydni Stafford, Lily Wade; Lighting Shop Staff, Gracie Heath and Seth "Tommy" Sneary; Sound and Light Board Operator, Keyvon Lewis; Publicity/Marketing Director, Dr. Aaron Scully; Social Media Marketing Specialist, Mallory Griffin; Graduate Shop Assistant, Dalima Kapten; Box Office Manager, James Hanten; Office Professional, Lars Jepsen Office Assistants; Mekdelawit Keller, Jennifer White.

This production is at The Black Box Theatre at Nickerson Hall, directly east of the Multipurpose Building, on the UCM campus. Free parking is available in the Multipurpose Building parking lot.

Anyone who has questions about the production should please contact Dr. Aaron Scully at ascully@ucmo.edu or call Theatre and Dance main office at 660-543-4020.

Please note, seating is limited for this production, and it is first come, first serve. Tickets are available at the UCM Theatre and Dance Office in Martin Building, Room 113, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, by calling 660-543-8811 or online at https://ucmboxoffice.universitytickets.com.  Anyone who has questions about tickets is asked to please call 660-543-8811 or email boxoffice@ucmo.edu.