Emporia State University Theatre’s third production of the summer season opens Wednesday, July 12, with the children’s theatre production of Robin Moyer Chung and Brian Feinstein’s “The Top Job!”
Based on the popular children’s book by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel, the show opens on career day at school. Everyone's parents have really cool jobs, except for Jenna's dad (Tyler Lang, Wichita), who changes light bulbs for a living. But when Jenna (Lizzi Tate, Sand Springs, OK), goes to work with her dad for a day in New York City, she discovers that he might just have the coolest job of all! The acting ensemble also includes Zulema Renteria (Emporia), Maddie Simmons (Emporia), Semaj Smith (Salina), Jerilyne Troyer (Garnett), and Logan Wohlford (Valley Center).
The production is directed by Jim Bartruff with choreography by Lindy Bartruff. Costumes are designed by 2008 ESU alum Cara McGlynn. 2014 alum Cara Lohkamp is the scenic designer. Matt Mahr (Overland Park) is the lighting designer.
Technical Director Chris Lohkamp manages the scene shop crew of Evan Grantham (Girard), McKenzie Needham (Andover), Nathan Dale Short (Paola) and Isabella Harvey (McPherson). The assistant technical director for the production will be 2017 alum Ethan Crapser (Overland Park). Amanda Dura is the costume shop manager, overseeing the costume crew of Fran
Opheim (Olathe), Torin Horvik (Fargo, ND), Stephen Holbert (Olathe), Madison Joye Schultz (Topeka), Samantha Garcia (Emporia), and Justin Scheck (Gardner). Rachel Muirhead (Hays) and Kaitlin Pelegrin (Olathe) will serve as Stage Manager and Assistant Stage Manager, respectively. Paige Lundin (Wichita) is the House Manager and director of publicity and promotion.
“The Top Job!” runs at 7:30 p.m. July 12-14 and a family matinee is scheduled for 2 p.m. July 15. All performances are in the Karl C. Bruder Theatre in King Hall at Emporia State University.
For tickets, visit the Memorial Union Ticket Office, go online at tickets.emporia.edu, or call 620-341-6378. For media inquiries and more information about the show season, contact Jen Newell, at 620-341-5257 or jnewell2@emporia.edu.