Company
"We’ve all felt the tension between wanting independence and craving connection, between the comfort of routine and the fear of being alone. Sondheim’s music captures that contradiction with wit, warmth, and heartbreak, reminding us that no one really has it figured out." -Jacob McGlaun
Faculty and Guest Artist
Jacob McGlaun
Jacob McGlaun (Director) is a musical theatre director and educator with over a decade of experience. He is currently developing a movement-based, trauma-informed approach to actor training and performance. He holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Michigan and an MFA in Movement from London’s Royal Central School of Speech and Drama. His career spans off-Broadway, NYC cabaret, regional theatre, and international work in London and Italy.
Phil Taylor
Phil Taylor (Music Director) holds a dual bachelor's in music and speech/theatre education from Wichita State University and a master's in educational administration from the University of Kansas. He has numerous music direction credits which include West Side Story, Little Women, Next to Normal, A Chorus Line, Into the Woods, Aida, She Loves Me, and Guys & Dolls, the latter two directed by Wayne Bryan of Music Theatre Wichita. He has served as musical director for KC Superstar for two seasons, which featured George Wendt (Cheers) and Shannon Durig (Hairspray). Awards include Outstanding Music Direction by the American College Theatre Festival for the productions of TICK, TICK…BOOM!, I Love You, You’re Perfect Now Change, Children of Eden, The Wild Party and Putting It Together. Wichita Northeast Magnet's production of Bonnie and Clyde was selected to perform at the Kansas State Thespian Conference in 2021 and his Madrigal Singers performed at the Kansas Music Educators Association Conference in 2020. Philip has also been a two-time semi-finalist for Distinguished Classroom Teacher in Usd 259. He is a member of NAfME, and the Educational Theatre Association. Besides working in the theatre, Philip serves as music director for the Young Spirit Choir at East Heights UMC and currently teaches Vocal Music/Theatre at Wichita Northeast Magnet High School.
Amy Baker Schwiethale
Amy Baker Schwiethale (Choreographer) is a Professor, the Program Coordinator of Musical Theatre & the Associate Director of the School of Performing Arts at Wichita State University. She has been honored by the National Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Washington, D.C. for her Direction and Choreography of SMOKEY JOE’S CAFÉ. Other Choreography Credits include: Disney’s MY SON PINICCHIO, HONK!, GYPSY & CAMELOT with Music Theatre Wichita. The New York Jazz Choreography Project & Traditions in Tap at the Alvin Ailey Studios NYC, and in numerous capacities at Prairie Repertory Theatre and WSU as a Director/Choreographer. Her Performing Highlights include the First National Broadway Tour of 42nd STREET, RADIO CITY CHRISMAS SPECTACULAR, SINGIN’ IN THE RAIN-Westchester Broadway Theatre, 5 summers in the Music Theatre Wichita Company and playing "Anytime Annie" in 42ND STREET
Joseph Urick
Joseph Urick (Fight Director) is the Assistant Professor of Acting & Voice at Wichita State University. Joseph is an award-winning actor from New York City and has performed nationally and internationally for theatres in Florida, Kansas, New York, Texas, as well as in Greece. Joseph has produced staged violence for over 75 shows over the past decade, as well as combat and self-defense videos with police department in both Texas and Florida for their Active Shooter Safety Videos and Domestic Violence Awareness Training Programs. Joseph has produced several acclaimed productions, including Rooms: A Rock Romance; Nevermore (Edgar Allan Poe), Quills (Doug Wright), Race (Dave Mamet), a Regional Tour of Jason Robert Brown’s The Last 5 Years, and most recently, an adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac at Kechi Playhouse. Joseph is a proud member of Actor’s Equity. Masters of Fine Arts in Acting, University of Florida. AAC/SAFD. josephurick.com
Sheldon Mba
Sheldon Mba (Intimacy Director) is an Assistant Professor of Performing Arts and Social Justice and the Program Director of Theatre at Wichita State University. He has professionally performed regionally in the Midwest and Southeast as an actor and concert dancer. Mba has performed brilliantly as an actor in a wide range of roles, such as Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar (Summer Lyric at Tulane), Laertes in Hamlet (New Orleans Shakespeare), Little Moe in Five Guys Named Moe (Forum Theatre), Brad in Rocky Horror Show (Crown Arts Collaborative) and Sheldon Saperstein in The Prom (Oklahoma Lyric). As a dancer, he has shared his skills with the Koffee Dance Company, the African American Dance Ensemble, Harambee Collective, the Regina Klenjoski Dance Company, and Smack Dab Dance. The Region V Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival recognized him for his Choreography of Catch Me If You Can and Little Women. His Direction and Choreography Credits include American Dance Festival, National Black Theatre Festival, Region IV of KCACTF, Crown Arts Collaborative, Forum Theatre, Roxy’s Downtown Theatre, Children’s Performance Theatre, Wichita Collegiate High School, Trinity Academy, Harvester Arts, and in numerous capacities across the Midwest and East coast.
Cheyla Clawson
Cheyla Clawson, MA, MFA (Producer) is an Associate Professor of Dance and the Director of the School of Performing Arts at Wichita State University (WSU). Chandler’s modern dance research is focused on Horton Technique, and she attended the Horton Dance Technique Certificate Program 2013-2020 at The Ailey School in NYC. Her two duets, Anam Chara (2014) and nosuchSymbiosis (2016) were invited to The American College Dance Association National Festival at The Kennedy Center. Beyond Wichita State, Clawson has created dance works for several companies and universities such as the University of Central Oklahoma, Milwaukee Dance Project, the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Colima in Colima, Mexico. Cheyla presented her latest research focused on community integration curriculum in dance performance degrees at The International Arts in Society conference (Australia), gave a workshop on Dance and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the American College Dance Association online National Workshop, as well as community-based intergenerational research at The American Dance Symposium in 2023. Clawson was invited to lead a panel topic on BIPOC Leadership in Higher Education in Changing Political and Cultural Environments with colleagues Charles Anderson (The Ohio State University), Chrysal U. Davis (University of Maryland), and Duane Cyrus (University of Arizona) at the The American Dance Symposium in New York City (January 2025) and the National Dance Education Organization's annual conference (October 2025). At WSU, Cheyla is a member of the university Student Success and Persistence Coalition and the University Assessment Committee. Her research is centered in LatCrit theory related to higher education systems and community/academic partnerships.
Lily Vetter
Lily Vetter (Stage Management Mentor/Production Coordinator) is a Production Manager, a Stage Manager, and an all-around theatre technician with a dash of Theatre Historian! Outside of the technical realm, Lily is pursuing her Ph.D. in Theatre History/Theory/Criticism and Design from Texas Tech University. Primary research areas include Theatre during conflict, World War II, Propaganda, Disney, Shakespeare, and Marxism. Lily has worked in many different roles in areas such as Dramaturg, Stage Manager, Lighting Design, Light Programming Electrician, Deck Crew, Props Master, Props Assistant, and Wardrobe Crew. As a Stage Manager, she has done plays, musicals, dance, and opera! A passionate advocate for both the technical aspects of theatre, Lily brings a unique perspective to every project, striving to make the stage a thought-provoking space for all audiences. As a disabled theatre practitioner, she is an outspoken advocate for equitable and accessible theatre, hoping to make the arts more inclusive for all individuals. During the summer Lily serves as the Production Manager at the New London Barn Playhouse in picturesque New London, New Hampshire. As the Production Manager she works with a variety of students and professionals to create magical shows on the 200-year-old barn stage!
Melissa Penkava Koza
Melissa Penkava Koza (Costume Design and Costume Shop Mentor) I find my joy in bringing students of all ages the ability to apply their knowledge of technical theatre to real world problems and situations. I encourage students to take artistic risks and engage in self-evaluation. I enjoy working backstage and figuring out the logistical puzzles of wardrobe and quick changes. Because of my musical background, I have a particular interest in opera and musical theatre—though my passion is for the storytelling inherent to the performing arts as a whole. My history as a first-generation college student from a lower-middle class family drives my desire to increase accessibility to the arts across the region. In many spaces around the world, the arts are viewed as a luxury or a hobby—at the core of my thinking is the fact that art is essential, it is intrinsic, and it is valid work worth a real income and a livable wage.
Jason Flanders
Jason Flanders (Scene Shop and Properties Shop Mentor) has held many jobs. Jobs as diverse as USAF Heavy Equipment Operator, Day Care Provider, Combat Engineer and Life Drawing Model. These jobs lasted (some longer than others) until boredom settled into the pores of his existence and those paths were all eventually abandoned. This aversion to boredom eventually led to art and theatre where, if boredom were to rear its dull head, it would soon be defeated by new challenges; new skills to learn, new styles and mediums to explore and new messages to be conveyed. The excitement of these new challenges quickly defeated boredom and its cubicle minions. The ongoing struggle to keep boredom at bay led Jason from the United States Air Force to Arkansas Tech University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts, and to continue his education with the Scenic Design MFA from the University of Oklahoma. Teaching and exploring art and theatre as Assistant Educator in Design and Theatre Technology with a specialization in Scenery and Props for the School of Performing Arts at Wichita State University has proven to be the perfect weapon to insure boredom’s defeat.
Jamison Rhoads
Jamison Rhoads (Lighting and Scenic Mentor) Jamison is thrilled to return to Wichita State University. Jamison graduated from the School of Performing Arts at WSU in 1996 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Performance. Jamison is coming to WSU from The University of Central Oklahoma where he served as the Associate Professor of Theatrical Media. Prior to UCO Jamison taught at North Greenville University, Newman University, Cowley College, University of New Orleans and TuIsa University. Jamison holds an MFA in Design from Temple University in Philadelphia and studied lighting at the Juilliard School in New York City. A lifelong theatre professional Jamison has designed over 200 productions for both professional and educational institutions. Jamison grew up in Wichita and is proud to call it his hometown. Jamison is married to the love of his life fellow Wichitan, Kate Rhoads. Together they have a sweet four-year-old daughter named Stella. Jamison is thrilled to be back at his Alma Mater, and he is excited to help Wichita State University School of Performing Arts grow into the future selected.
Cast/Crew
Gabe Almodovar
Gabe Almodovar (Robert) is grateful to be playing Bobby in the Wichita State University production of Company. He recently performed as Orcus in the Empty Space Theatre production of She Kills Monsters, Officer Klein in Arsenic and Old Lace at The Wichita Community Theatre, and Sam in Crossing Delancey at The Kechi Playhouse. Gabe is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Performing Arts - Theatre and spends his days reading, laughing, and eating cookies.
Katie Bauman
Katie Bauman (Assistant Scenic Designer) is thrilled to be the Assistant Scenic Designer for Company. This is her third year at Wichita State studying Design and Technical Theatre with a focus in scenic design and construction. She served in SPA's production of Twelfth Night as Assistant Scenic Designer. Enjoy the show!
Elena Cianciolo
Elena Cianciolo (Jenny) is a sophomore at Wichita State University pursuing her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts - Music Theatre. Her previous credits include Alice in After You (Student Film), Charlotte in The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals (Wichita State Music Theatre Company), Ensemble in Express (Wichita State University), and The Chaperone in The Drowsy Chaperone (St. Michael the Archangel). Elena is so grateful to everyone who has helped her throughout this process and is so excited to share this story with you.
Lexye Collins
Lexye Collins (Amy) is ecstatic to be playing Amy in this year’s production of Company. She is getting a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts - Music Theatre with a minor in Entrepreneurship, and a proud member of the first ever WUPAC group! Amy’s neurotic charm and emotional whirlwind have been a thrilling challenge, and Lexye is honored to bring herself into this iconic Sondheim masterpiece. Her most recent roles include Young Jane in Express through Wichita State University, Susan Waverly in White Christmas with The Forum, and Thea in Spring Awakening at Wichita State University. She'd like to sincerely thank all her loved ones for their continued support in everything she does. Instagram: @lexyecollins
AJ Corbett
AJ Corbett (Assistant Stage Manager) is a second year Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts - Design and Technical Theatre! AJ is beyond excited to continue their theatre journey at Wichita State! You may have seen them previously for assistant stage managing for Spring Awakening (Wichita State) or for their hair and makeup design and technical direction for The Guy Who Didn't Like Musicals (Wichita State Music Theatre Company). You may have also seen them as Kaliope in She Kills Monsters (Empty Space). AJ would like to thank their castmates and wonderful Stage Manager for being so supportive and patient throughout the process. They hope you enjoy this show as much as they have!
Gabriel Cornwell
Gabriel Cornwell (David) is very excited to perform once again with Wichita State. Previous credits include Adult Men Spring Awakening, Bill The Guy Who Didn’t Like Musicals, and Mr. Mushnik Little Shop of Horrors. Gabriel is pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts - Music Theatre, he is also a member of WSMTC. Gabriel wants to inspire others to pursue the performing arts just like those around him inspired him.
Jacob Crabtree
Jacob Crabtree (Understudy) is a second year student pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Performing Arts - Music Theatre at Wichita State University, and he is so excited to be a part of Company! He has done shows for Music Theater For Young People, Stage Lights Theater Company, Music Theatre Wichita, Wichita Children’s Theater, and Andover High School and had the honor of being a Jester nominee in 2024. You also may have saw him as Ernst Robel in Spring Awakening. He would like to thank his parents, his sister, his girlfriend, and the cast and crew for making this the most incredible show experience!