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UCM Performing Arts Bringing High-Spirited Musical, ‘9 to 5,’ to Highlander Theatre
By Nicole Lyons, April 8, 2026
Pour yourself a cup of ambition and get ready to take care of business as the University of Central Missouri (UCM) Division of Theatre and Dance and Division of Music premiere “9 to 5” with six performances in April.
Featuring music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and inspired by the iconic 20th Century
Fox film of the same name, “9 to 5” is written by Patricia Resnick. The musical originally
premiered on Broadway in April 2009, produced by Robert Greenblatt, with orchestrations
by Bruce Coughlin and arrangements and additional orchestrations by Stephen Oremus
and Alex Lacamoire.
“This is a challenging musical with relevant messages about women’s empowerment and workers’ rights. But it’s also fun! And who doesn’t love Dolly Parton?” said Kasey Lynch, Ph.D., visiting assistant professor of Theatre and production director. “The cast and production team are doing an amazing job telling an important story that will leave audiences smiling and humming along.”
“Working alongside the theatre students to bring ‘9-5’ to life has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” Guest Technical Director Keith Wecker said. “The level of creativity demonstrated by the production crew has been instrumental in bringing Dolly Parton’s vision to the stage.”
The UCM cast, crew and orchestra are bringing the popular story to the Highlander
Theatre stage this month, offering local audiences the opportunity to watch as three
women hatch a plan to outsmart their arrogant, misogynistic boss in this high-spirited
celebration of female empowerment.
“The chance I have gotten to experience as the choreographer on this show has been unbelievable,” said Raegan Weber, production choreographer and a senior Theatre Performance major. “Not only do we get to tell this iconic story, driven by iconic characters and an even more iconic cast – though I am biased – but the dancing in this show propels the audience into the bustling, robotic and sometimes bizarre emotions that a 9-to-5 may bring. I hope that each person gets to experience this show. It’s truly, already, one of a kind.”
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. April 17-18 and April 23-25 and at 2 p.m. April 19 at the Highlander Theatre on the UCM campus.
Theatre and Dance will present its Pay-What-You-Can performance at 2 p.m. Sunday,
April 19. Audiences may choose to pay any amount, $1 or more, for a ticket. ASL interpreters
will also be at the April 19 performance.
All tickets for UCM Theatre and Dance productions are free for UCM students, active
military personnel, veterans and military families upon presenting a valid student
ID or military ID at the Theatre and Dance Box Office.
Tickets are available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday by visiting the
UCM Theatre and Dance Office in Martin 113 or calling 660-543-4020, or online at . For any questions about the production or tickets, please call 660-543-4020 or email
boxoffice@ucmo.edu.
The cast includes Hannah Vath as Violet Newstead, Ellie Kitchin as Doralee ϲ,
Claire Groos as Judy Bernly, John Plasencio as Mr. Franklin Hart Jr., Molly Jones
as Roz Keith, Dawson Black as Joe, Ty Schroeder as Dwayne, Kody Paris as Josh, Alea
Ware as Missy and Judy understudy, Nathalia Cordero as Maria and Roz understudy, Blake
Jaycox as Dick and Joe understudy, Frankie Nelson as Kathy and Doralee understudy,
Reagan Medlock as Margaret and Violet understudy, Trae Selemaea as Mr. Tinsworth and
Mr. Hart understudy, Audrey Shepard as Bob, Amiya Jimmerson as Deb, Jadan Zelch as
Swing (Dwayne, Josh, Dick, Bob, Tinsworthy), and Katie Hobbs as Swing (Missy, Maria,
Kathy, Margaret).
The orchestra includes Iona Dewalt on Keyboard 1, Joey Stewart on Keyboard 2, Cameron King on Reed 1, Luna Jackson on Reed 2, Ve Carrender on Trumpet 1, Barrett Conn on Trumpet 2, Chase Paquin on trombone, Grace Adams on bass, Clover Wilson-Brown on drums, and Cory Schmitz-Hoepker on percussion.
The production team includes Director Kasey Lynch, Musical Director Iona Dewalt, Choreographer Raegan Weber, Assistant Choreographer Reagan Medlock, Stage Manager Gabe Sokolowski, Assistant Stage Manager Kelley Akers, Lighting Designer Ari Kendrick, Sound Designer Aleksandra Combs, Technical Director Keith Wecker, Scenic Designer Spencer Musser, Props Designer Shannon Williamson, Costume Designer Cassie Kay Hoppas, Assistant Costume Designer Lucy Nutt, Hair and Makeup Designer Emma Stevens, Costume Shop Assistant Deb Hobbs, Assistant Lighting Designer Brody Lafrentz, Dramaturg Alyna Mathews, Sound Board Operator Arya Pennington, Audio Engineer 2 Allie Whitbey, Light Board Operator Mason Enright, spotlight operators Rylin Tolle and Jake Collins, Social Media Marketing Specialist Madison Keep, Scene Shop Graduate Assistant Jack Ezell, Wardrobe Crew Head Ava Broermann, School of Visual and Performing Arts Events Manager Mackynze Rosas, Office Professional Lars Jepsen, and student office workers Jake Collins and Madison Keep.
Additional members of the production team include Run Crew: Madison Keep, Mayeli Rodriguez,
Taleah Brown, Finn Juliano and Damian Schaffnit; Social Media Team: Dawson Black,
Claire Groos, Jesse Moore and Kody Paris; Wardrobe Crew: Lizzy Molina, Grace’e Carr,
and Addi Carr; Scene Shop Hires: Sam Fischer, Payton Lawrence, Lizzy Molina, Mayeli
Rodriguez, Emma Stevens and Rylin Tolle; Lighting Shop Hires: Brody Lafrentz, Ari
Kendrick and Gabe Sokolowski; and Costume Shop Hires: Sage Miller, Avory Nail, Lucy
Nutt and Emma Stevens.
Wire rigging is provided by Ronin Stunt Company, with Lead Rigger Ashley Kay and Assistant
Rigger Noah Bryan.
For more information, contact Ashley Miller-Scully, chair of the Division of Theatre and Dance, at almiller@ucmo.edu, or find UCM Theatre and Dance on Facebook or Instagram.
“9 to 5” is presented through special arrangement with (MTI). MTI supplies all authorized performance materials.