This program is designed to further the knowledge and training of theatrical leaders in an engaging format. While developing top of the line theatrical productions, this team of leaders will work together to develop their leadership skills, management techniques, ethics, rehearsal and time management, and more. Emerging Leaders will shadow the indoor Spring production of the 2024 TIP season and then move to helming the creation of an outdoor Theatre in the Park production for the summer.

In addition to the two full productions, the program will also include workshops, brainstorming sessions, masterclasses, and other opportunities in the areas of business, leadership, ethics, rehearsal management, and more. This is an amazing opportunity to begin creating a new and exciting theatre world of connected and well versed theatrical leaders in our community.

This program will be mentored by staff at Theatre in the Park and other experienced local theatre leaders.  This session, Emerging Professionals will be working on SHOUT! THE MOD MUSICAL and SISTER ACT for the TIP 2024 Season!
 

Congratulations to our 2024 ETPI Participants!

 

	Sadie Shannon - Emerging Director   Sadie Shannon, new to the KC area, has an MFA in Acting Pedagogy from the University of Alabama, a BA in Music from William Carey University, and fifteen years of collegiate directing and teaching experience. She has taught Musical Theatre and Audition workshops all over the midsouth. As a professor in Mississippi, Sadie served as the Region IV Musical Theatre Deputy-Chair for The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and Chair of the MS Theatre Association-Colleges and Universities Division and was a member of NATS, SETC and VASTA.
	Rachel Hendrickson - Emerging Music Director   Rachel Hendrickson holds a BM in Voice from Chapman University and an MM in Voice from Florida State University. She lived in Philadelphia for a decade where she focused on her performing career. After moving back, she was excited to reconnect with the TIP community in this summer's Meet Me in St. Louis. Favorite roles include: Eliza Doolittle (My Fair Lady), Truly Scrumptious (Chitty Chitty Bang Bang), Audrey (Little Shop), and Mrs. Smith (Meet Me in St. Louis).
	Cierre Wesley - Emerging Associate Director   Cierre, a Kansas City native, discovered her love for theater in high school, igniting her lifelong passion for the arts. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Lindenwood University. Cierre has also led a social media team for Lindenwood Productions and served as the community engagement coordinator at Starlight during the summer of 2023. Her dream is to establish a theater company to empower others on their theatrical journeys. Beyond the stage, she enjoys reading, music, and time with friends. Cierre expresses her gratitude to her family and mentors for their support.
	Mckenna Lewis - Emerging Choreographer   Mckenna Lewis is thrilled to be part of the ETPI program! She is in her final months at Wichita State University pursuing a BFA in Musical Theatre and a minor in Dance. She has performed on the TIP stage since 2017 and is excited to share her work! Local choreographic credits include Music Theatre Kansas City, Miller Marley School of Dance and Voice, and Music Theatre Wichita classes. She is incredibly grateful for this opportunity!
	Ari Hernandez - Emerging Stage Manager   Ari Hernandez was raised and began her theatre journey in South Sioux City, Nebraska. Here she mainly participated through acting and student directing. In 2020, Ari moved to Kansas City to attend Avila University where she is currently finishing her senior year as a directing/producing concentration. It is here that Ari found a love for every aspect of theatre and began her journey in design and stage management.