Kansas Theatre Works: Recent Episodes
Jen Vellenga
Audio storytelling from the Kansas State University Theatre program. From Shakespeare to alumni-written audio plays and musicals, K-State Theatre innovates during a changing landscape for live theatre.
Original Music by Alex Wakim © 2020
A spa. A lifetime. A river. When Oakley, a young person on the verge of a major crossroads in life takes a float therapy trip to meditate, they begin to navigate a rushing stream of memories and life paths with a mysterious fisherman named Ron, who has seen the world under a unique perspective. Together, they attempt to navigate the river of life.
THE YEAR AFTER
By Tim Aumiller and Scott Schneider
A quintet of New Yorkers confront the realities of seeking love, losing
AN AMERICAN IN BEIRUT
Music and Lyrics by Alex Wakim
Book by Chantal Bilodeau
Concept developed with Jonah Kirkhart
It is the story of a first-generation Lebanese-American who returns to Beirut to uncover
the stories of the past and explore what it means to live in two different cultural worlds while
also dealing with a budding romance.
INN-DEPENDENT
Book, music and lyrics by Blake Cordell
In this present-day homage to the musicals of the 40s, there are bouncy tunes, tapdancing and the high stakes of losing a family business surrounding a boy meets boy love story.
Blake Cordell wanted to portray a world where the queer romantic core was accepted and not the
battle to be fought similar to the Mickey and Judy movie musicals of yesteryear
THE UNCIVIL ONES
Book and lyrics by Christian Duhamel
Additional book by Charissa Bertels
Music by Ayomi Okada
Three strong, independent females seek to find their place in the male dominated society of the Civil War. High drama and a blue-grass/Appalachian-inspired score combine to explore
themes of freedom, equality, and intersectional feminism inspired by the historical figures Dr. Mary Elizabeth Walker, the only female to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor; Mary Jane Richards Bowser, a Union spy during the Civil War and Mary Irene (Levi) Hook, modeled on Albert DJ Cashier, a trans male who fights for the Union.
Listen to the inspiration and process behind a student director and playwright's production.
Listen to the inspiration and process behind a student director and playwright's production.
Join us for an interview with alumnus Charissa Bertels about her process and her new work on display in IN PROCESS.
Join us for an interview with alumnus Tim Aumiller about her process and his new work on display in IN PROCESS.
Name of Opera Selection (Start Time in Podcast)
Dalla Sua Pace (1:27)
Sul fil d’un soffio etesio (6:14)
Se Vuol Ballare (9:14)
V'adoro, Pupille (12:24)
La Gioconda (16:56)
Orfeo et Euridice (20:40)
Sull’ aria (24:11)
Hansel and Gretel (26:52)
The Elixir of Love Duet (28:59)
Pearl Fishers (36:19)
Belle Nuit (42:20)
Depuis le jour (44:55)
The Magic Flute Trio (50:08)
Don Pasquale (Donizetti) Solo (53:00)
Sadko (55:59)
Una donna a quindici anni (59:42)
Soave sia il vento (1:03.15)
Don Giovani Duet (1:05.00)
Der Freischütz (1:08.00)
In the spirit of its historic namesake, JAZZ DISTRICT celebrates the past of Kansas City’s 18th & Vine while putting it face-to-face with a story of its future. During a COVID-induced gap year, Langston, a young artist, must decide whether his next steps will be in the direction of higher education or helping run his Grandfather's plant shop. Between cypers with shrubbery and family fallout, we unpack what it means be young, Black, and have a choice.
This is Logan Myles Stacer's debut play. He is a graduate of Kansas State University and New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
When 6 K-State writers were tasked with creating scenes influenced by our favorite holiday tunes, it resulted in a series of irreverent comedy sketches that will leave you merry. From Rudolph's drag deer to Frosty the Snowman's crime drama to Prancer's interrogation for murder, this December offering is full of creativity and fun.
Three alumni of the 2016 K-State Theatre Writers Room, Blake Cordell, Jonah Kirkhart, and Cody O’Hare discuss the development of Ho Ho No with current student Ceslie Parker-Waller. This bonus episode is available now on all podcast platforms. It precedes the release of Ho Ho No, directed by associate professor Jerry Jay Cranford.
Alex Wakim wrote the original music for the KTW podcast theme and created the score for the KTW episodes of MACBETH. He holds a B.M. from Kansas State University and a M.M. from New York University for screen scoring.
Current student, Jackson Wilks hosts and interviews Alex about his process.
Kansas State University Theatre students perform Laura Camien's screenplay, One Dead; One Dying. Directed and adapted for audio by Jerry Jay Cranford; audio design and editing by James K. Davis; original music by Alex Wakim with additional sounds and music from mixkitfreestockmusic.com and freesound.org.
Show Notes on our website:
https://www.k-state.edu/mtd/theatre/kansas_theatre_works/
Kansas State University Theatre students perform Laura Camien's screenplay, One Dead; One Dying. Directed and adapted for audio by Jerry Jay Cranford; audio design and editing by James K. Davis; original music by Alex Wakim with additional sounds and music from mixkitfreestockmusic.com and freesound.org.
Show Notes on our website
https://www.k-state.edu/mtd/theatre/kansas_theatre_works/
Kansas State University Theatre students perform Laura Camien's screenplay, One Dead; One Dying. Directed and adapted for audio by Jerry Jay Cranford; audio design and editing by James K. Davis; original music by Alex Wakim with additional sounds and music from mixkitfreestockmusic.com and freesound.org.
Show Notes on our website:
https://www.k-state.edu/mtd/theatre/kansas_theatre_works/
Kansas State University Theatre student, Brett Boline interviews playwright Laura Camien and director Jerry Jay Cranford preceding the release of the radio script, One Dead; One Dying by Laura Camien.
Three years after running away, Richard returns to a ghost town in search of his wife and the mysterious evil that led her from him.
Return to Abandoned by Jonah Kirkhart
Directed by Chuck Leonard
Stage Manager: Kaylee Warren
Assistant Stage Manager: Rylie Wood
Sound Design & Editing: James K. Davis
Royalty-free SFX and music: Fesliyan Studios, Allsounds, Sound Effects Royalty Free
DARLENE: Jenna Bickelhaupt
WOMAN IN BLACK: Lindsey Edwards
RICHARD: Michael Pierce
Despite constant bullying from popular praying mantis Josh, Will lives as a religious, vegetarian praying mantis, fighting his predatory instincts every day. However, when pressured to impress the queen praying mantis, Chloe, Will must determine whether his morals or instincts hold more importance. Will he break his moral code and will there be consequences?
Pr(a/e)ying Mantis by Andrea Browne
Directed by Chuck Leonard
Stage Manager: Kaylee Warren
Assistant Stage Manager: Rylie Wood
Sound Design & Editing: James K. Davis
Royalty-free SFX and music: Fesliyan Studios, Allsounds, Sound Effects Royalty Free
CHLOE: Sydney VanDyke
WILL: Logan Peralez
JOSH: Jackson Wilks
Three friends disappear to the deep northern wilderness for a weekend escape. Huddled around the fire, they try to calm their fear of the woods, but tonight the forest may hold more than the usual creatures.
Leave No Trace by Mitchell J. Ward
Directed by Chuck Leonard
Stage Manager: Kaylee Warren
Assistant Stage Manager: Rylie Wood
Sound Design & Editing: James K. Davis
Royalty-free SFX and music: Fesliyan Studios, Allsounds, Sound Effects Royalty Free
EMILY: Lindsey Edwards
GARRETT: Brett Boline
XAVIER: Michael Pierce
There are a lot of things you should be wary of when walking alone at night, but your fight-or-flight instinct mainly prepares you for attackers that are quick; thieves that grab-and-run; threats that jump right out in front of us. How do you expect you’d respond if a figure, previously looming in the distance, their emotions entirely masked and their form entirely unfamiliar, started ever so slowly following you, never ceasing? You run. You run fast, faster than he’s approaching. You turn; he’s still there, moving slowly yet keeping pace. You scream. The streets are empty. You hop a fence. Your fight-or-flight takes you far. but still, he’s there, slowly approaching. Your phone isn’t working. So what do you do when the “flight” runs out and all that’s left is “fight?"
Kill Grim by Blake Cordell
Directed by Chuck Leonard
Stage Manager: Kaylee Warren
Assistant Stage Manager: Rylie Wood
Sound Design & Editing: James K. Davis
Royalty-free SFX and music: Fesliyan Studios, Allsounds, Sound Effects Royalty Free
YOU, played by Logan Peralez
A young family is torn apart when the mother dies, but her husband believes he has found a way to reconnect with her when he solves a longstanding scientific mystery.
Her Velcro Voice by Cody O’Hare
Directed by Chuck Leonard
Stage Manager: Kaylee Warren
Assistant Stage Manager: Rylie Wood
Sound Design & Editing: James K. Davis
Royalty-free SFX and music: Fesliyan Studios, Allsounds, Sound Effects Royalty Free
EMILY Ceslie Parker-Waller
DAVE Brett Boline
LUKE Jackson Wilks
An urban legend plays out when Mary, a young and innocent girl, and her god-fearing mother, drive across a vacant bridge. They encounter a man alone on the side of the road and Mary invites him into her car.
Choke by Dan V. Shea
Directed by Hunter Parker
Mary: Katie Flynn
Mother: Elizabeth Kritikos
Man: Landon Landon Reinhart
Preacher: Josh Conour
Old Cop: Joseph Patterson
Young Cop: Drew Scrivner
K-State theatre student, Ceslie Parker-Waller interviews two alumni writers: Dan Shea, the writer of CHOKE and Mitch Ward, the writer of LEAVE NO TRACE.
Student director Hunter Parker and student actors, Liz Kritikos and Katie Flynn join Ceslie and Dan for the first half of the episode.
MACBETH by William Shakespeare
Directed by David Mackay for Kansas State University Theatre
Original Music by Alex Wakim
Audio Engineering by James Kyle Davis
* SPOILER ALERT BELOW ***
Act 1 Scene 1 : THE WITCHES Act 1 Scene 2 : BRAVE MACBETH
Act 1 Scene 3 : THE PROPHECY
Act 1 Scene 4 : THE RIGHTFUL HEIR
Act 1 Scene 5 : A PLAN IS HATCHED
Act 1 Scene 6 : WELCOME THE KING
Act 1 Scene 7 : PARTNERS IN CRIME
Act 2 Scene 1 : HEAT OPPRESSED BRAIN
Act 2 Scene 2 : THE MURDER OF KING DUNCAN
END OF PART ONE
MACBETH by William Shakespeare
Directed by David Mackay for Kansas State University Theatre
Original Music by Alex Wakim
Audio Engineering by James Kyle Davis
* SPOILER ALERT BELOW ***
Act 2 Scene 3 CHAOS HAS A NEW MASTERPIECE
Act 2 Scene 4 MACBETH IS MADE KING OF SCOTLAND Act 3 Scene 1 MACBETH PLANS MORE MURDER
Act 3 Scene 2 PARANOIA, BIG DESTROYER
Act 3 Scene 3 THE MURDER OF BANQUO
Act 3 Scene 4 BANQUO’S GHOST
MACBETH by William Shakespeare
Directed by David Mackay for Kansas State University Theatre
Original Music by Alex Wakim
Audio Engineering by James Kyle Davis
Act 4 Scene 1 : NONE OF WOMAN BORN
Act 4 Scene 2 : THE MURDER OF MACDUFF’S FAMILY
Act 4 Scene 3 : MACDUFF MEETS WITH MALCOLM
MACBETH by William Shakespeare
Directed by David Mackay for Kansas State University Theatre
Original Music by Alex Wakim
Audio Engineering by James Kyle Davis
* SPOILER ALERT BELOW ***
Act 5 Scene 1 : LADY MACBETH SLEEPWALKS
Act 5 Scene 2 : THE ENGLISH FORCES ARE APPROACHING
Act 5 Scene 3 : MACBETH DISMISSES THE APPROACHING ARMY
Act 5 Scene 4 : BIRNAM WOOD CAMOFLAUGE
Act 5 Scene 5 : TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW, AND TOMORROW
Act 5 Scene 6 : MALCOLM’S ARMY ARRIVES AT DUNSINANE
Act 5 Scene 7 : MACBETH KILLS YOUNG SIWARD
Act 5 Scene 8 : MACDUFF KILLS MACBETH
Act 5 Scene 8 : MALCOLM BECOMES THE KING OF SCOTLAND
Kansas State University theatre students, Ceslie Parker-Waller and Brett Boline interview the production team for the upcoming episode of William Shakespeare's MACBETH. They discuss the March 2020 shut down of the production and the transition to audio storytelling for the KTW podcast.
David Mackay, Director
Kathy Voecks, Scenic Designer
Dana Pinkston, Costume Designer
James Davis, Lighting and Sound Designer
Get ready for the launch of K-State Theatre's 2020-2021 season in an all-audio format!
Fall Semester 2020:
MACBETH by William Shakespeare, directed by David Mackay
CHOKE by Dan Shea, directed by Hunter Parker
TALES OF THE WEIRD AND UNUSUAL:
KILL GRIM by Blake Cordell, directed by Chuck Leonard
PR(A/E)YING MANTIS by Andrea Browne, directed by Chuck Leonard
HER VELCRO VOICE by Cody O'Hare, directed by Chuck Leonard
LEAVE NO TRACE by Mitch Ward, directed by Chuck Leonard
RETURN TO ABANDONED by Jonah Kirkhart, directed by Chuck Leonard
ONE DEAD; ONE DYING by Laura Camien, directed by Jerry Jay Cranford
HO HO NO by Blake Cordell and the KSU Writer's Room, directed by Jerry Jay Cranford
Original Music by Alex Wakim © 2020