MP
Morgan Parker
  • Music Education
  • Class of 2020
  • Salina, KS

Morgan Parker Helped Stage KWU and SCT's Production of 'In the Heights'

2017 Apr 24

Morgan Parker, Salina, KS, joined Kansas Wesleyan University and Salina Community Theatre (SCT) to present the musical production "In the Heights" by Lin-Manuel Miranda, April 7-21. Community members and 21 KWU students, faculty and alumni worked together to stage the Tony Award-winning musical.

This marks the third year of a KWU/SCT partnership to produce a spring musical. In 2015, Michael Spicer, executive director of the SCT, directed "Godspell" on the KWU campus. In 2016, KWU joined community members on the SCT stage for "Into the Woods."

For "In the Heights," SCT volunteer Victoria Spicer directed. Ken Hakoda, KWU associate professor of music, was the musical director and Dr. Jesse Henkensiefken, assistant professor of music, directed the orchestra. Karen Babcock Brassea, assistant professor of theatre and dance, was the choreographer.

On stage, KWU students Marlon Hernandez played Usnavi, Christian McQueen played Benny, Jose Moreno played Sonny, Stephanie Gomez played Carla and Marco Armendariz was Piragua Guy. Casadie Smith, Aaron Dix, Emily Gardner and Breyana Rose were in the ensemble. Students Jacobi Blair, Wyatt Hofstra, Morgan Parker and Hannah Applequist, and alumni Jesse Smith, Gus Applequist, Melanie Bergstrom and Adam Hulstine played in the orchestra.