Dear Students,
Welcome to K-State Theatre! We are excited to welcome our returning students back and introduce our new students to the Theatre community.
We are very glad you have chosen to be part of our program. Our goal is to create an inviting and collaborative environment in which you can grow as a student, artist, scholar, and theatre practitioner. K-State Theatre is the only program in Kansas accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST), and our faculty are working theatre professionals who care deeply about teaching and mentoring students.
We are committed to giving students opportunities both onstage and behind the scenes. That includes mentoring students in directing, designing, playwriting, stage management, performance, technical theatre, and much more.
Cheyenne Niblack and her cast are already in rehearsal for our first Chapman production of the year, Andrew Rincón’s I Want to F** Like Romeo and Juliet*. We are excited to begin the season with a student directed production and look forward to sharing their work with you. Interested in directing on the Chapman stage? We will share more information at Monday’s Meet and Greet.
We are also especially excited to welcome two new faculty members this year.
Many of you already know Rossina Lozoya through her excellent work as a guest costume designer with K-State Theatre. Rossina now officially joins us as Professor of Practice in Costume Design. She brings tremendous artistry, professional experience, and care to her work with our students and productions.
We also welcome Dr. Ben Stasny as Teaching Assistant Professor of Acting and Directing. Ben brings considerable experience as an actor, director, and musical theatre artist. He will teach acting, improvisation, and theatre history while also working with students throughout our acting and musical theatre curriculum.
David Mackay will serve as Program Director for Theatre. This is a new title for the same leadership position previously called Associate Director of Theatre.
Dr. Shannon Blake Skelton will lead the Acting and Directing area this year. Shannon has your back when it comes to information, internships, professional opportunities, summer work, and everything K-State Theatre has to offer.
Melissa Neville serves as Head of Design, Technology, and Management. She is also Senior Professor of Practice in Costume Design and Costume Shop Manager. Melissa works closely with students interested in design, technical theatre, stage management, and the many areas that bring our productions to life.
James Davis serves as General Operations Manager for the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance and is Associate Professor of Lighting and Sound Design. Within Theatre, James wears many hats and helps coordinate the people, spaces, schedules, facilities, and resources that keep our productions and day to day work moving forward.
Toby Bitner is our Academic Advisor for Theatre and can assist with enrollment, degree requirements, and other academic questions.
We have an exciting year ahead, with a season built around the theme “What We Owe Each Other.” Please take a few minutes to review the information below. It will help you get connected and begin the semester on solid footing.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
Sincerely,
David Mackay
Program Director for Theatre
dbmackay@ksu.edu
Important Information
- We share Theatre information through the K-State MTD Theatre blog. Think of this as our virtual callboard, where you will find information about productions, auditions, workshops, scholarships, jobs, and other opportunities. Please subscribe using your K-State email address.
- Faculty and staff will communicate with you through your K-State email. Email is an important form of communication both at K-State and in the professional theatre, so please check it at least twice a day.
- K-State Theatre productions, auditions, and activities are open to students from across the university. You do not need to be a Theatre major or minor to get involved.
Welcome Week Events
Friday, August 21
School of Music, Theatre, and Dance Kickoff
10:00 to 11:30 a.m.
Kirmser Hall
Join students, faculty, and staff from across the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance as we begin the new academic year together.
Monday, August 24
Theatre Meet and Greet and KSTO Social
6:00 p.m.
Mark A. Chapman Theatre, Nichols Hall
Come meet the Theatre faculty, reconnect with returning students, welcome our new students, and learn more about the Kansas State Theatre Organization. We will begin in Chapman Theatre before continuing with the KSTO Social.
Tuesday, August 25
Community, Wellness, the Arts, and You
3:30 p.m.
Mark A. Chapman Theatre, Nichols Hall
This important community meeting will include information and resources from CARE and the Office of Institutional Equity. All Theatre students are strongly encouraged to attend.
Nathan Jackson Legacy NYC Trip Information Meeting
Learn more about this fully funded trip to New York City, October 7 through 11, made possible through the generosity of Broadway director Thomas Kail. Four students will be selected to visit some of New York’s most renowned theatre spaces and explore how theatre can serve communities and create social impact.
Applications will be made available following the Community, Wellness, the Arts, and You meeting and will be due Sunday, August 30, at 5:00 p.m.
CABARET Auditions
7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Mark A. Chapman Theatre, Nichols Hall
Directed by Dr. Joelle Ré Arp-Dunham
Musical Direction by Heather McCornack
Auditions are open to all K-State students. Visit the CABARET audition page for complete information.
Wednesday, August 26
CABARET Callbacks
Check kstatemtd.com for details.
Interested in Getting Involved?
Academic Advising
Toby Bitner
tbitner@k-state.edu
Acting and Directing
Dr. Shannon Blake Skelton
sbskelton@ksu.edu
Design, Technology, and Management
Melissa Neville
costume@ksu.edu
Costume Design and Production
Rossina Lozoya
rlozoya@ksu.edu
Drama Therapy
Michelle Davenport
msdavenp@ksu.edu
General Operations, Lighting, and Sound
James Davis
kdavis01@ksu.edu
Technical Theatre, Crews and Stage Management
Patrick Reading
preading@ksu.edu
Scene Shop
George Wame Matthews
georgewm@ksu.edu
Dance
Kate Digby
kdigby@ksu.edu
Fall 2026 Theatre Productions
I Want to F** Like Romeo and Juliet*
By Andrew Rincón
Directed by Cheyenne Niblack
This student directed production has already been cast and is now in rehearsal.
CABARET
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Book by Joe Masteroff
Directed by Dr. Joelle Ré Arp-Dunham
Musical Direction by Heather McCornack
Auditions will be held Tuesday, August 25, with callbacks on Wednesday, August 26.