Theatre & Dance to Premiere Quirky, Poignant Play, ‘Alabaster,’ at UCM

 

The University of Central Missouri (UCM) Division of Theatre and Dance continues its 2026-27 season with the premiere of “Alabaster” on Oct. 1-4 in the Black Box Theatre. 

“Alabaster” by Audrey Cefaly is a dark, quirky and poignant Southern drama about trauma, physical and emotional scarring, and the healing power of human connection. Set in a remote, isolated farm in Alabaster, Alabama, the play follows June, a reclusive folk artist who lost her family and was severely scarred in a devastating tornado. A prominent photographer named Alice arrives at the farm to document June's scars for a photo series on female survivors. The play explores themes of grief, body image, survival, vulnerability, art, and the invisible scars people carry alongside their visible ones.

First produced in 2019, the play won the prestigious David Calicchio Emerging American Playwright Prize and made history with one of the largest National New Play Network (NNPN) Rolling World Premieres across the United States. It was a nominee for the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

 

“This play tells the poignant and poetic story of four lives reckoning with what it means to heal from our scars. Also, there is a talking goat!” said Kasey Lynch, Ph.D., production director and visiting assistant professor of Theatre. “The cast is doing amazing work embodying these complex, flawed, beautiful characters. We look forward to taking audiences on this deeply human and profoundly spiritual journey with us.”

Theatre and Dance hosted “Alabaster” playwright Audrey Cefaly as a guest artist who led a playwriting masterclass, hosted a Q&A and conducted a dedicated session with the cast, crew and creative team. Cefaly’s visit was made possible through funding from the Office of Student Activities Student Funding Committee. 

 

“I’m thrilled that ‘Alabaster’ is finding a home at the University of Central Missouri,” Cefaly said. “At its heart, this play is about what happens when we allow ourselves to be truly seen — scars, grief, ridiculousness, goats and all — and about the extraordinary courage it takes to choose connection after loss. I’m especially moved to have students bringing these women to life. Young artists approach a play with curiosity and fearlessness, and I can’t wait to see what the UCM company discovers inside this story.”

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 1-3 and at 2 p.m. Oct. 3-4 at the Black Box Theater in Nickerson Hall. Arriving early is highly encouraged, as seating is limited. “Alabaster” is recommended for mature audiences.

Theatre and Dance will present its Pay-What-You-Can performance at 2 p.m. Oct. 4. Attendees may pay any amount, $1 or more, for a ticket. ASL interpreters will be provided for this matinee performance. 

All tickets for 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 box office. 

Tickets are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday by visiting the Theatre and Dance Office in Martin 113 or calling 660-543-4020. Tickets can also be purchased at ucmboxoffice.universitytickets.com. 

The cast includes Reagan Medlock as June, Raegan Weber as Alice, Ellie Siegfried as Weezy and Nathalia Cordero as Bib. Kaia Trujillo serves as the understudy for the roles of June and Alice, and Michaela Dickey serves as the understudy for the roles of Bib and Weezy. 

The production team includes Director Dr. Kasey Lynch, Stage Manager Hannah Rodriguez-Nemeth, Assistant Stage Manager Damian Schaffnit, Lighting Designer/Projections Designer Ari Kendrick, Sound Designer Brody Lafrentz, Lighting and Sound Faculty Advisor Aleksandra Combs, Scenic Designer Daniel Aubun, Technical Director Sam Fischer, Properties Designer Daniel Campbell, Assistant Properties Designer Jesse Moore, Scenic/Technical Supervisor Spencer Musser, Costume Shop Supervisor Cassie Kay Hoppas, Costume, Hair and Makeup Designer Emma Stevens, Wardrobe Crew Head Addi Carr, Wardrobe crew member Layla Crowley, House Manager Ayden Christensen, Social Media Marketing Specialist Kaia Trujillo, Scene Shop Graduate Assistant Will Lewis, Box Office Assistants Eddie Manning and Darryllan Wilson, School of Visual and Performing Arts Event Operations Manager Mackynze Rosas, Office Professional Lars Jepsen, and student office workers Ayden Christensen and Kaia Trujillo. 

The team also includes scene shop hires Samuel Fischer, Abigail Millbyer, Mayeli Rodriguez, Damian Schaffnit and Shannon Williamson; lighting and sound shop hires Ari Kendrick, Brody Lafrentz, Charlie Vitale and Raegan Weber; costume shop hires Isabelle Ballard, Alex Edmonds, Cal Klaus, Lynkyn McElmurry-George, Lucy Nutt and Emma Stevens; and SVPA ushers Anthony Badillo, Isabelle Ballard, Levi Pope and Charlie Vitale.

UCM Theatre and Dance has four productions remaining in the 2026-27 “[your story here]” season: “Shrek the Musical” on Nov. 13-15 and 19-21, Spring Studio One-Acts on Feb. 4-6, “[title of show]” on Feb. 25-28, “The Crucible” on March 24-27, and the spring dance concert, “Wonderland,” on April 22-25.  

Patrons can join the UCM Theatre and Dance Foundation with a donation of $200 or more. Donors unlock perks like season tickets, preferred seating, special events, and playbill recognition. Please visit ucmfoundation.org/give/theatre to learn more.

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 and Instagram.

“Alabaster” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French Inc.