Vol. 29 No. 20 - February 3, 2024

Truman Theatre’s production of “Ride the Cyclone” was recently performed at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival in Des Moines, Iowa.

For more than 50 years, KCACTF has supported and celebrated all things theatre at colleges and universities. Truman is in Region 5, which includes schools from Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. Of the nearly 300 productions taking place in KCACTF Region 5 this year, “Ride the Cyclone” was one of only four to be invited to perform at the festival.

“It was really an amazing experience for our students to have a production invited to the festival,” said Brad Carlson, associate professor of theatre and chair of the Department of Communication and Theatre Arts. “Over 1,300 theatre students, faculty, staff and guest artists attended the festival. There was an amazing outpouring of enthusiasm from the festival audience.”

“Ride the Cyclone” ran on campus in November. This somewhat new production blends comedy, tragedy and enchantment as it tells the story of six teenage chamber choir members who meet their fate on a doomed roller coaster ride.  

Prior to finals week, the department learned “Ride the Cyclone” had been invited to perform at the festival. That allowed the cast to host a rehearsal before break, followed by two more full rehearsals at the start of the semester before making the trip to Des Moines. This is the first Truman production to be performed at a KCACTF festival. “Ghosts in the Machine” was previously included in a virtual festival.

Carlson knew “Ride the Cyclone” would be in consideration for a performance and factored that into the original stage construction.

“I took that as an opportunity to build the set as a traveling production,” Carlson said. “This isn’t something that we typically do, and it was a great opportunity for our students to build in a different construction method than our typical builds.”

The set was engineered to come apart in manageable pieces and fit into a box truck for transport to the festival. Some elements needed to be reengineered to make them travel more easily, and most of that work was done during the winter break.

“Ride the Cyclone” was not the only Truman production to be honored. “The Rocky Horror Show” earned more accolades than any other production in Region 5. In total, five Truman productions from the past year received recognition at this year’s festival, as did a number of individuals. Student Kala Cotter received a special recognition in Excellence in Stage Management.

Jonathan Wehmeyer, assistant professor of theatre, received the National Alliance of Acting Teachers Acting Teacher of Excellence award. He receives a one-year complimentary guest membership in the Alliance and will be invited, with full registration paid, to attend the National Alliance of Acting Teachers national conference in June at The Juilliard School.

Carlson was awarded the Kennedy Center Gold Medallion. It is the most prestigious award given by KCACTF and is considered one of the greatest honors in educational theatre. This award honors individuals or organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to the teaching and producing of theatre and who have significantly dedicated their time, artistry and enthusiasm to the development of KCACTF.

Other Truman honors from the festival include:

“Dancing at Lughnasa”
Ensemble Performance

“The Rocky Horror Show”
Company – Inclusivity, Collaboration, and Generosity
Sydney Pentzer – Stage Management
Jonah Husgen – Stage Management
Kayla Cotter – Stage Management
Grace Eness – Assistant Choreography
Cat Gleason – Choreography
The Phantoms – Ensemble Performance
Grace Eness – Dance Captain
Cat Gleason – Direction
Claire Choinka – Assistant Costume, Hair, and Makeup Design
AP Pikiben – Costume, Hair, and Makeup Design
Makenna Carnes – Musical Direction, Vocal Coaching, and Conducting
Ashish Bhatta – Poster Design
Brad M. Carlson – Lighting Design
Brad M. Carlson – Scenic Design
Wendy Crum – Assistant Lighting Design
Tara Bendler – Assistant Scenic Design

“Charlotte’s Web”
Ensemble Performance
Savannah Carmichael – Sound Design
Jack Danter – Costume Design
Anna Markiewicz – Direction
Rowan Burba – Lighting Design
Alex Crawford – Choreography

“The Real Inspector Hound”
Lily Holland – Sound Design
Parker Shinn – Stage Management

“Ride the Cyclone”
Ensemble Performance
Regan Bohanon – Direction
Brad M. Carlson – Scenic Design
AP Pikiben – Costume Design
Grace Eness – Choreography
Anna Million – Choreography
Alexander Pikiben – Lighting and Sound Design
Cat Gleason – Dramaturgy
Sydney Pentzer – Dramaturgy

 
The 42nd annual Truman Piano Festival and Piano Fellowship Competition will take place Feb. 14-15.
 
Performances will begin with a guest recital by Dr. Oliver Jia, a piano faculty member from Bilkent University in Turkey. With a repertoire of dozens of concertos and more than two hundred solo and chamber works, Jia has performed for audiences worldwide. He made his official debut at the Isaac Stern Auditorium in Carnegie Hall, playing Sergey Prokofiev’s “Piano Concerto No. 5” with the Juilliard Orchestra.
 
Jia’s recital will take place at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 14 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall. A live stream will be available at youtube.com/@trumanmusicconcerts/streams.
 
As part of the festival, Jia will present master classes and serve as a judge for students participating in the fellowship competition, Feb. 15. Incoming first-year and transfer students pursuing a degree in music with piano as the primary instrument will compete for scholarships. Top prize is a four-year renewable scholarship covering tuition and room and board. Second place is a scholarship package worth up to $4,000. Participating students were selected after applying and submitting video recordings of the required repertoire in January.
 
The top three competition participants will perform on Truman’s newly refurbished Steinway D and be professionally recorded during the winners’ recital at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 15 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall.
 
Both recitals are free and open to the public. More information about the Piano Festival can be found online at truman.edu/majors-programs/majors-minors/music-major/piano-festival.

The 24th annual Big Event is set to take place from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. March 29.

The Big Event gives Truman students, faculty, staff and alumni the opportunity to show appreciation for all of the support the Kirksville community has offered to them. Hundreds of Truman volunteers will provide services to the residents of the community by raking leaves, washing windows, painting and more.  

Volunteers can sign-up here. Local Kirksville residents hoping for volunteers to help them with projects can sign-up here. All sign-ups are due by March 16. For more information visit serve.truman.edu.

Students are invited to attend Spike’s Annual Pizza Bowl for free pizza and a chance to vote for the best pizza in town, Feb. 12.

Pizza Bowl will pit local vendors in competition for the students’ choice of the best overall pizza in Kirksville. From 2-4 p.m. in the Student Union Building Georgian Room, students can stop by for free samples from all participating local vendors. Voting will take place on Truman’s Instagram, and students will be eligible for prizes. Other giveaways, including Spike’s Annual Pizza Bowl stickers, will also be available at the event.      

The winning business will receive a pizza trophy. Follow Truman’s Instagram, @trumanstate, for updates and information on how to vote. A list of local vendors will be announced closer to the event.

Hannah Kwon recently joined the University Counseling Services staff as a new in-person and virtual counselor.

Kwon is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Missouri. She earned her Master of Arts in social work from Ewha Womans University in South Korea in 2000 and her Master of Social Work from the University of Kansas in 2005, continuing her career as a social worker in the United States.

With more than 16 years of experience in social work across various settings, Kwon has dedicated her career to serving socioeconomically underrepresented individuals, empowering them to achieve self-sufficiency and providing financial social work support. She has also worked extensively with vulnerable children, ensuring their safety and emotional well-being and supporting young school-aged children through individual and small group interventions focused on anger management, anxiety management, resilience building and trauma recovery.

Kwon believes that every individual possesses inherent value and potential. Using a strengths-based and person-centered approach, she supports college students as they navigate their adjustment to campus life, foster independence, manage academic stress, address relationship challenges and identity exploration as well as process trauma. She collaborates with students to create a safe and supportive environment, promoting self-awareness, coping skills and personal growth. She is passionate about inclusivity and committed to supporting students from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.

To make an appointment call 660.785.4104, email ucs@cfmcares.com or stop by the UCS office during the business hours of 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday.

The Chinese Language and Cultural Association for Lunar New Year Gala won Outstanding Overall Program for the 2024 LRP awards.
Nominations are currently being accepted for this year’s Leadership Recognition Program.

The LRP is designed to honor Truman students, organizations and advisors for their dedication to their peers, organizations, campus and the Kirksville community through various leadership roles during the academic year. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to nominate exceptional student leaders, advisors, organizations and events on campus.

Submissions for the LRP are taken online only. A link to the nomination form can be found at involvement.truman.edu/leadership-recognition-program. Multiple nominations for individuals or organizations are welcome. Details about all of the awards can be found in the nomination packet available here. Nominations will close at 5 p.m. March 3.

Questions about the LRP can be directed to the program coordinator at lrp@truman.edu or orgs@truman.edu. Union & Involvement services will host the Leadership Recognition Program ceremony April 8.

Students are encouraged to complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible for the 2025-2026 school year.

In celebration of Financial Aid Awareness Month, the Financial Aid Office in McClain Hall 103 will have free candy available. Students are encouraged to visit the office and discuss any questions they may have about financial aid. Along with processing the FAFSA to determine federal, state and some University funds, the office provides information about scholarship service and renewal for returning students. They can also help with private scholarship check processing, funding for study abroad or summer school, budgeting, financial literacy or loan counseling.

For more information, visit the Financial Aid Office website, call 660.785.4130 or email finaid@truman.edu.

Class types available include: adult and pediatric; adult only; and pediatric only. After completing all course requirements, participants will receive a two-year certification. Classes take place in two parts. Participants must attend both classes to receive certification, as well as complete the entire online learning session. Three separate two-part sessions are scheduled in the month of February:

Feb. 10-11
7-8 a.m.

Feb. 12-13
11 a.m.-12 p.m.  

Feb. 19-20
5-6 p.m.

Classes will take place in the Student Recreation Center Conference Room. More class dates will be released based on interest.

All Truman-affiliated individuals aged 16 and up are eligible to participate. This includes: students, staff, faculty, spouses and dependents. Participants under 18 must attend with a parent or guardian. Cost for the class is $50 for individuals or $87 for couples.

Class will be taught by Amanda Porter, Student Recreation Center assistant director of operations. Registration is due by Feb. 3 and can be completed here.

The Chinese Language and Culture Association will host a Lunar New Year Gala, celebrating the year of the snake, Feb. 15 in the Student Union Building Georgian Room. This event will include free dinner, live action and prizes to be won. Scan the QR code on the event poster to RSVP. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the festivities will commence at 6 p.m.

Clients who come to VITA should bring: social security cards for spouses and dependents; bank routing numbers and bank account numbers for direct deposit; wage and earnings statements such as W-2, 1098T and 1099; and a copy of last year’s federal and state tax returns if available. VITA services will be completed by IRS-certified volunteers and will also offer free electronic filing to receive a faster return.

Appointments are required. Truman students can make appointments online. Truman staff and community members should call 660.785.6064 to schedule an appointment. For more information, visit bap.truman.edu/vita.

More information about the TruScholars program is available on the Office of Student Research website. Applications are due by Feb. 21. Any additional questions about TruScholars can be directed to osr@truman.edu.

The Center for Academic Excellence’s Tutoring Center offers free tutoring to all Truman students.

The center is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday. Students can book a tutoring session with an academic peer tutor for class-specific tutoring or learning strategy support here. Walk-ins are also welcome depending on tutor availability.

For the spring 2025 semester, the Tutoring Center will be located on the first floor of Pickler Memorial Library past the cafe at the tables outside the CAE main office (PML 109) and advisor’s offices. Tutors will have name tags and table stands.

Contact Violet Odzinski, center coordinator, at vodzinski@truman.edu for any questions.