UCM Theatre & Dance to Present ‘Bus Stop,’ Honor Outstanding Theatre Alumnus

 

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) Division of Theatre and Dance will premiere “Bus Stop” by William Inge on Feb. 26-March 1 in the Highlander Theatre. 

“Bus Stop” by William Inge is a warm, funny and quietly powerful American classic set in a small-town diner during a snowstorm that strands a group of unlikely travelers overnight. As the wind howls outside, secrets surface inside, revealing the hopes, disappointments and longings of cowboys, nightclub singers, lonely locals and drifters who are all searching — often awkwardly — for connection.

Both humorous and deeply human, “Bus Stop” explores love, freedom and the courage it takes to truly see one another. Inge’s richly drawn characters and naturalistic dialogue create an intimate portrait of mid-century America that remains strikingly relevant today, offering audiences a moving blend of laughter, tenderness and emotional honesty.

 

“There is a nostalgia to this play that is undeniable, especially if you are from the Midwest, like most of us are,” said Aaron Scully, Ph.D., associate professor of Theatre and production director. “Before smartphones, before social media, before text messaging, when people were stuck together, they had to entertain each other. This play reminds us of the importance of human connection and how impactful people can be in our lives, whether we know them for years or just for a short time. With this play, Inge is able to be profound without sounding pretentious – one of his gifts as a playwright. This play is funny and dramatic, and I really think our community will enjoy it!”

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 26-28 and at 2 p.m. Feb. 28-March 1 at the Highlander Theatre on the UCM campus. “Bus Stop” is recommended for mature audiences.

Theatre and Dance will present its Pay-What-You-Can performance at 2 p.m. Sunday. Audiences may choose to pay any amount, $1 or more, for a ticket. ASL interpreters will be provided for the 2 p.m. Saturday performance. 

All tickets for UCM Theatre and Dance productions are free for UCM students, active military personnel, veterans and military families upon presenting a valid student ID or 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. 

Prior to the Saturday matinee, UCM Theatre and Dance will honor Dan Embree as the 2026 Ed See Outstanding Theatre Alumnus. Upon his retirement from UCM, Dr. Ed See established the award through the University Foundation. The purpose of the endowment is to honor Theatre alumni who have distinguished themselves in theatre education, community theatre or professional theatre and have demonstrated commitment and love for the theatre arts. The award recognizes alumni who have honored their alma mater through their dedication and various theatrical achievements.

 

Embree is a 1973 graduate of Smith-Cotton High School in Sedalia, where he first became interested in acting. After spending his freshman year at Westminster College, he completed his education at Central Missouri State University (now UCM), earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre.

Having worked summers as an entertainer at Silver Dollar City, he continued his career there for a total of 34 seasons as performer, writer and director. Additionally, he has appeared in a number of Branson's famous variety shows as a comedian, emcee, singer and dancer. In 1995, he joined the Mid America Arts Alliance's production of “A Closer Walk With Patsy Cline,” in which he would continue to perform for the next 28 years throughout the United States and Canada. In 2019, he joined the staff of the fledgling Playhouse Dinner Theatre at the historic Shepherd of the Hills Homestead near Branson, co-writing and performing in numerous productions through 2025.

 

Embree continues to perform in regional theatres throughout the U.S. – alongside his wife whenever possible – appearing in productions of “Grumpy Old Men the Musical,” “Oklahoma!,” “A Wonderful Life,” “Miracle on 34th Street,” “Guys and Dolls,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Annie,” “Annie Get Your Gun,” and many others, continuing a career that has lasted more than half a century with no immediate plans to retire. As much as he enjoys acting, the most important thing in Embree's life is his family: his wife of 35 years, Dana, their children, Kelly and Maxwell, and their granddaughters, Danielle and Kinsley.

 

The “Bus Stop” cast includes Anna Fletcher as Elma, Avory Nail as Grace, Jesse Moore as Carl, Xander Corkins as Will, Ayden Christensen as Bo, Payton Lawrence as Virgil, Raegan Weber as Cherie and Cal Klaus as Dr. Lyman.

 

The production team includes Director Dr. Aaron Scully, Assistant Director Kaia Trujillo, Stage Manager Chase Dernier, Assistant Stage Manager Ty Schroeder, Technical Director Daniel Aubun, Assistant Technical Director Sam Fischer, Lighting Designer Noah Martin, Sound Designer Gabe Sokolowski, Lighting and Sound Faculty Advisor Aleksandra Combs, Scenic Designer Spencer Musser, Hair and Makeup Designer and Costume Faculty Mentor Cassie Kay Hoppas, Costume Designer and Hair and Makeup Designer Ellie Siegfried, Wig Stylist Emma Stevens, Sound Board Operator Maddison Cole, Light Board Operator Ray Boessen, Properties Designer Alex DeMint, 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, student office workers Jake Collins and Madison Keep.

Production team members also include Wardrobe Crew: Alicia Munoz; Makeup Crew: Amiya Jimmerson; Scene Shop Hires: Sam Fischer, Payton Lawrence, Lizzy Molina, Mayeli Rodriguez, Emma Stevens and Rylin Tolle; Lighting Shop Hires: Brody Lafrentz, Ari Kendrick and Gabe Sokolowski; and Costume Shop Hires: Sage Miller, Avory Nail, Lucy Nutt and Emma Stevens. 

  

UCM Theatre and Dance has one production remaining in the 2025-26 Make ‘em Laugh season: “9 to 5” on April 17-19 and April 23-25 in the Highlander Theatre. 

 

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.