My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

Thirty-Year Tradition Continues as Music Theatre Kansas City

By:

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.

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Revival of a Play - Top 3
1. Death of a Salesman
28.9% of votes
2. Every Brilliant Thing
27.4% of votes
3. Oedipus
9% of votes

Don't Miss a Kansas City News Story
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


SHREK The Musical in Kansas City SHREK The Musical
Theatre in the Park (5/22-5/30)
Xanadu in Kansas City Xanadu
Music Theatre Kansas City (7/17-7/19)
Jesus Christ Superstar in Kansas City Jesus Christ Superstar
Music Theater Heritage (8/20-9/13)
2026 Show-Me Jazz Festival in Kansas City 2026 Show-Me Jazz Festival
Clara Eitmann Messmer Amphitheater (6/13-6/13)
Rainbow Kitten Surprise at Starlight Theatre in Kansas City Rainbow Kitten Surprise at Starlight Theatre
Starlight Theatre (7/27-7/27)
Wicked in Kansas City Wicked
Music Hall Kansas City (8/12-8/30)
Louis Tomlinson in Kansas City Louis Tomlinson
Cable Dahmer Arena (7/02-7/02)
Jefferson Starship in Kansas City Jefferson Starship
Capital Region MU Health Care Amphitheater (9/27-9/27)
The Addams Family in Kansas City The Addams Family
Goppert Theatre @ Avila University (5/21-5/24)
Once Upon a One More Time in Kansas City Once Upon a One More Time
Music Theatre Kansas City (6/12-6/14)