Thirty-Year Tradition Continues as Music Theatre Kansas City

After 30 years as the Midwest's premiere professional training program for students, the group previously known as Music Theatre for Young People is changing its name to Music Theatre Kansas City.

"The main reason for the change is that we want people to consider our shows simply as musical theater and not children's theater," said founder and executive director Cary Danielson-Pandzik. "We felt the name was limiting us, both from attracting bigger audiences and from further growth and development. People who have seen our shows know our productions are of the highest professional quality, and we happen to feature young people."

Indeed, Music Theatre Kansas City offers a chance to see the stars of tomorrow today. Many of its veterans have gone on to work on Broadway, in touring companies and in professional regional theaters across the country.

On July 21, after his review of the group's alumni show appeared on KCMetropolis.org, Kansas City's Online Journal of the Arts, Anthony Rodgers Tweeted that the show "was one of the most incredible Broadway-based shows I have ever seen."

MTKC will continue to provide young people who have enthusiasm, passion and dedication to musical theater an opportunity to grow through its unique one-week performance experiences. Each show is auditioned, cast, rehearsed and performed in 7 days.

The shows are produced during school vacations - winter, spring and summer - so that young cast members can devote their full time to this intensive experience. Participants learn from professionally trained vocal, dance and acting coaches.

MTKC's next show is "Bring it On: The Musical," based on the film series of the same name, Jan. 2-4, 2015, at the White Recital Hall on the campus of the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Visit the group's new website, mtkc.org, for tickets and more information.