In the News

Rooted in Hesston, growing through generations - The Mininger family legacy

Hesston College’s story is shaped by generations of students, families and faculty whose connections to the college stretch across decades. The Mininger family legacy spans nearly a century, reflecting this legacy quite clearly.

In his own words, Jim Mininger Ac61 reflects on the ways Hesston College shaped his family across three generations.

• Paul Mininger Ac25, 1928 - his father
• Mary (Erb) Ac24, 1926 Mininger - his mother
• Grace (Mininger) Ac53 Bartel - his sister
• Jim Mininger Ac61 - self
• JD Mininger ’95 - his son
• Matt Mininger ’96 - his son

My Family and Hesston College
by Jim Mininger Ac61

In the 1920s, both my mother and father attended Hesston College. My mother took part in the relationship with the LaJunta nursing program and received her RN. Her experience of music at Hesston instilled a love of singing and playing the piano. The home in which I grew up had much singing, a reed organ that my mother played daily and an “hi-fi” set on which classical music dominated.

A little research in the HC archives would show that my father received five different diplomas from Hesston College. Included were a high school diploma, a two-year degree, a three-year Bible degree, a four-year teaching degree and an advanced Bible degree. Although Paul Mininger went on to a Lutheran Seminary in Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania in Religious Education, it is fair to say that his Hesston College years rooted firm in him a devotion to the Mennonite Church and its educational institutions and thus, set the direction of his life.

When my sister Grace was 16, she left Goshen and spent her junior and senior year of high school at Hesston Academy. Her boyfriend and future husband, Herm Weaver, came with her. She made friends at Hesston that she stayed in touch with throughout her life.

I followed in my eight-years older’s footsteps by attending Hesston Academy for my junior and senior year in high school. Little did I know that I and my several classmates would be faculty and staff members in our adult lives.

When I was finishing graduate school and beginning to think about universities where I might teach, I said several times that “I would go anywhere except Kansas.” Fateful words! Virginia and I spent 21 years at Hesston College. Virginia taught voice in the music department and took part often as a soloist in Hesston music productions. I taught history and served as academic dean for 17 of those years. I also spent two and a half years as interim president.

During our 21 years at Hesston, we had two sons who later attended Hesston College. Thirty years after they graduated, their adult friends include many friends, not just from Hesston, Kansas, but also from Hesston College. Our elder son, JD, now a university president in Bulgaria, has frequently said that considering that he attended Hesston College (A.A.), Goshen College (B.A.) and University of Minnesota (Ph.D.), the most formative classes in his shaping his character and his concept of education took place in some of his Hesston College classes. He would reference Jim Yoder’s Astronomy course, Marion Bontrager’s Biblical Literature and his father’s infamous Foundies IV.  That is quite a tribute to this little college on the prairie!

Local playwriting festival “Pen to Paper to Performance” takes the stage

Original stories written by local playwrights will come to life on stage as Hesston College presents its local playwriting showcase, “Pen to Paper to Performance,” May 1 and 2 at 7 p.m. in Keim Center Black Box Theater. Ten 10-minute plays were selected from dozens of submissions to be produced and performed by Hesston College Theatre Department.

After receiving more submissions than ever before, the following plays were selected to move from page to stage:

• “6 Down” by Mitch Stutzman, Hesston, Kan.
• ​“The Visit” by Caitlin Waits, Derby, Kan.
• “December 1, 1990” by David Wiebe, Newton, Kan.
• “Psycho Killers” by Mia Krebs, North Newton, Kan.
• “To Be or Not To Be Lynched” by Lois Preheim, Newton, Kan.
• “Fascist Times at Ridgemont High” by Travis Duerksen, North Newton, Kan.
• “Rush” by Patricia Middleton, Newton, Kan.
• “3 Guys Walk Into a Bar” by Johann Reimer, Hesston, Kan.
• “Full Stop” by Cassie Balzer, Wichita, Kan.
• “If I Were Peter” by Chad Frey, Newton, Kan.

With 10 different playwrights, including four first-timers, these short plays offer a wide variety of genres like drama, comedy and historical events, as well as equally diverse tones and subject matter. There’s something for everyone to enjoy. If you’re like Rachel Jantzi, director of theater at Hesston College and creator of Pen to Paper to Performance, you’ll find something special about each one, making it hard to pick a favorite.

“I may love how the dialogue flows in one, and be really excited about the staging potential of another, and then I may be fascinated with what a different script has taught me,” Jantzi shares.

Another unique aspect of these performances is the talk backs with playwrights following the show. Jantzi believes it’s one of the best parts of the experience.

“Learning what the playwright's motivation was for writing their story and then what possessed them to actually hand it over to us — that's always eye opening,” she explains.

An ensemble of 22 actors will portray various roles in the performances. This includes Hesston College students Brody Hutto, Bel Aire, Kan.; Rey Tipton, Hesston, Kan.; Sam Setiawan, Goshen, Ind.; Angel Sinnett, McPherson, Kan.; Alyssa Coonce, Hutchinson, Kan.; Chloe Robinson, Moore, Okla.; Jaden Watson, Clayton, Del.; Cindy Smith, Park City, Kan.; Ashleigh Williams, Eaton, Colo.; Evelyn Gaertner, Newton, Kan.; Sebastian Pavlovich, Lindsborg, Kan.; Nolan Gorman, Redmond, Ore.; Adam Wonser, Goessel, Kan.; Abby Hamm, Coldwater, Kan.; Dominic De La Rosa, Adairsville, Ga.; Anja Martinez, Topeka, Kan.; and Ava Huyhn, Lam Dong, Vietnam. The cast also features community members Mitch Stutzman of Hesston; Angela Tipton of Hesston and Kelly Smith of Newton, along with HC employees Johann Reimer of Newton and Josh Fleming of Hesston. Crew members are students Constance Feldt, Wichita, Kan., and Arlynn Smith, Newcastle, Okla.

Join Hesston College at this festival celebrating local storytelling and experience brand-new works brought to life on stage. Admission is $5 for students and $10 for adults and seniors with each playwright receiving a portion of the box office earnings. Tickets will be available for purchase at the door. The production is appropriate for ages 10 and up, but some topics may be heavier. Seating is limited, so early arrival is encouraged. Learn more at hesston.edu/theatre.

Urban Life and Culture class explores history, justice and community during Tulsa trip

above: Hesston College students pose in front of the Black Wall Street mural in Tulsa’s Greenwood District during their Urban Life and Culture spring break trip, where they learned about the history, resilience and ongoing legacy of the Greenwood community. Back row: Peter Lehman, Jacob Buller, Jaden Watson, Justin Young. Front row: Lilith Jackson, Margaret Brewer, Priscilla Spiker

During spring break, Hesston College’s Urban Life and Culture class spent nine days in Tulsa, Oklahoma, immersing themselves in the history, culture and community of the city while exploring themes of race, justice and urban life. The course was team-taught by Bible professor Michele Hershberger and history professor Peter Lehman and included five students and one community member.

Throughout the week, the group visited historic sites, museums, churches and community organizations, while also participating in service opportunities and group discussions designed to help students process what they were learning and experiencing.

For several participants, learning about the history of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and the Greenwood District was one of the most impactful parts of the trip.

Justin Young, a sophomore from Richardson, Texas, said the Greenwood walking tour stood out most to him “because it opened my eyes to the actual genocide that happened in Greenwood and how it was covered up for over 100 years.”

The group also visited the Greenwood Rising Museum, which left a strong impression on Lehman.

“There was a section with audio accounts by survivors themselves. The massacre happened when they were kids! It was harrowing and very emotionally impactful, even though I had known the ‘facts’ about the massacre for years,” Lehman said.

Community member Margaret Brewer also pointed to the Greenwood area as a highlight of the trip, saying the Real Black Wall Street walking tour was especially meaningful.

The trip concluded with the group attending worship at Historic Vernon African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, a congregation that survived the destruction of the 1921 massacre. For Hershberger, the experience was a powerful conclusion to the week.

“So many experiences shook me to my core. But my best experience was our final one,” Hershberger said. “We worshipped with the Historic Vernon AME Church on our last day in Tulsa. This church survived the fires of the 1921 massacre, and they have not forgotten their history. Now, over one hundred years later, I heard hope and resiliency. Because of this experience, I am more deeply committed to working for racial and economic justice.”

The Urban Life and Culture course is part of Hesston College’s intercultural experiences program and is designed to help students engage with communities different from their own, learn from lived experiences and better understand issues related to culture, race, poverty and justice.

Through site visits, conversations, service work and shared reflection, the Tulsa trip challenged students to think critically, listen carefully and consider how their faith and education can shape the way they engage with the world.

The group returned from Tulsa on March 22, bringing with them new perspectives, deeper understanding and experiences that will continue to shape their lives beyond the classroom.

photos below: (left) Chief Egunwale Amusan, left, leads Hesston College Urban Life and Culture students on a walking tour of Tulsa’s Greenwood District, sharing the history of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and recounting events at several historic locations during the group’s spring break trip to Tulsa, Okla. Also pictured are Jacob Buller and Justin Young. (right) Students and instructors from Hesston College’s Urban Life and Culture class prepare more than 100 sandwiches for Tulsa Food Not Bombs during their spring break trip to Tulsa, Okla., where they spent nine days learning about urban life, community organizations and issues of justice while participating in service opportunities across the city. Pictured clockwise: Priscilla Spiker, Jacob Buller, Margaret Brewer, Peter Lehman and Michele Hershberger.

Hesston College to host Spring Community Day April 18

Hesston College will host its Spring Community Day on Saturday, April 18, inviting the community to campus for a free day of baseball and Lark spirit at Oswald Field.

The Hesston College baseball team will face Kansas Christian College in a doubleheader at 1 and 4 p.m. Admission is free, and community members are encouraged to come for a game or stay for the entire afternoon.

In addition to the baseball games, Community Day will feature family-friendly activities including a Little Larks Dance Clinic performance between games, photos with Clark the Lark and free rally towels for the first 100 fans in attendance. Food will also be available for purchase from Meat Rubbers food truck and Salted Creamery Ice Cream.

Sponsored by IdeaTek®, Community Days at Hesston College are designed to bring friends, alumni, families and neighbors together on campus to enjoy Lark athletics and spend time in community.

“Community Day is a great opportunity for people of all ages to come to campus, enjoy a ballgame and experience the Hesston College community,” shares Lisa Longacher, vice president of advancement. “We love opening campus to the community and creating a fun, welcoming environment for everyone.”

Stay up-to-date on the day’s activities by visiting hesston.edu/communityday.

Rising to the challenge - four-year Lark athletics

above: first NAIA win - This fall the Larks took to the fields and courts for the first time as a four-year college, and the women’s soccer team brought home the first victory, 2-1, in an August 23, 2025 match with McPherson (Kan.) College. Photo by Nolan Gorman

Hesston College began a new era of athletics in 2025 as they began their first year competing as a four-year institution in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) after nearly 70 years of competing as a junior college. 

“The transition to four-year athletics was a necessary step for the growth of Hesston College,” says Athletic Director Bryan Kehr. “It allows us to more fully execute our mission statement and to see our student-athletes all of the way through their development both on and off the field.”

When this transition was announced, it brought a sense of excitement and hope for the future of Hesston College athletics.

“My initial thoughts were very positive,” recalls Brian Allen, cross country and track head coach. “I loved the idea of getting to work with the same athletes for four years to help them develop athletically and to help them become the young men and women God created them to be.”

Volleyball Head Coach Kassidy Roberts saw this transition as a new beginning for her team.

“Moving up to four-year competition brought on an exciting challenge,” Roberts says. “We would have a chance to play against teams we had never faced before, and we had a chance to make our mark as newcomers.”

Though the junior college era at Hesston has come to a close, the history and tradition formed by nearly seven decades of highly competitive athletics will stand the test of time. Former women’s basketball player and 2025 Hall of Fame inductee Christy (Walker) ’91 Cornell was thrilled to learn about the transition.

“I was honestly jealous,” admits Cornell. “I would have loved to stay at Hesston College for another two years with a higher level of competition and more teams to play.”

Along with all of the positive outcomes of transitioning to a four-year model, there are some immediate, short term struggles that institutions undergoing this change face. Growing rosters, longer road trips and competing against older and more experienced teams are not simple tasks.

“Our lack of experience definitely showed early on in the season, just not having many games played at this level or in college at all,” says Men’s Soccer Head Coach Dante Texeira. “The speed of play going from high school or club soccer to the NAIA is a huge jump. I had hoped we could rise to the challenge of being so young and playing against older and tougher competition, but the guys went above and beyond this fall.”

Expectations for Hesston’s fall sports were not particularly high as they faced tough competition right out of the gate, but success was not as far away as some might’ve thought.

The Lark women’s soccer team started their season with a 2-1 win over McPherson College on Aug. 23, earning Hesston’s first win as an NAIA institution.

Ashleigh Williams, junior goalkeeper and lone upperclassmen on the women’s soccer team, reflects on what this meant to her and how it influences the future.

“It felt very rewarding,” Williams remembers. “The women's soccer program has come so far since I first started. I have always been proud to be a Lark, and now our team is laying the foundation for the program to truly become great.”

The men’s soccer team and the volleyball team followed soon after with their first wins of the season, and the cross country team made strong strides competing against NAIA opponents.

In mid-September, it seemed that all of the fall teams had found their pace as the men’s soccer team would go on to win 10 of their last 12 regular season games to finish 11-7-1, locking in the best overall record for a Hesston men’s soccer team since 1992 and qualifying for the Continental Athletic Conference (CAC) tournament.

Texeira gave all of the credit to his players and their ability to step up to the challenge.

“I credit the players’ resilience and their trust in the process of what was happening to our program,” Texeira says. “We had a rough start, but most of our guys were playing in their first collegiate games ever, while we were up against teams that had been playing together for years. It would have been easy for our guys to quit, say we were too young to be successful and try again next year, but that's not what they did. They kept showing up, learning and improving everyday which eventually led to wins on the field.”

The women’s soccer team also shattered expectations, earning their bid to the CAC tournament with their best season in almost ten years. The Larks lost in the first round in heartbreaking fashion in a penalty shootout that went seven rounds.

“Playing in the conference tournament was a goal at the beginning of the season, and while it wasn’t the outcome we ultimately wanted, it showed not only our team, but the nation, that we have a competitive program,” says Williams.

The volleyball team found success in streaks, posting two separate four-game win streaks to reach a 9-13 overall record, the best program record since 2017. The most impressive win of the season came in their final game against conference opponent Haskell Indian Nations University. The Larks pulled off a reverse sweep of the Indians in Yost Gym, winning 3-2 in front of a roaring home crowd and avenging a loss to Haskell earlier in the season.

“They amazed me with their grit and ambition, demonstrating that we can overcome any challenge together,” Roberts remarks. “As their playing maturity increased, I was proud of them for continuing to push themselves. We had a slow start, but they picked it up quickly, and we began to see on-court success.”

The Larks would fall just short of an appearance in the conference tournament, but Roberts was encouraged by the progress they made in their first season.

“It was a starting point that I am proud of,” she shares. “To have the success we did with a team as young as ours was very encouraging. I am proud of where we started and excited to bring in more classes of girls to grow the program and make it more competitive.”

The cross country team finished the year with multiple honors as they had four runners earn CAC all-conference honors with Arissa Cathey (freshman, Abilene, Kan.) earning first-team honors and Jonah Krumme (freshman, Wichita, Kan.), Nathan Lewis (freshman, Wichita, Kan.) and Maddy Ralph (sophomore, Colwich, Kan.) being named to the second team. Cathey, Krumme and Lewis were all selected to compete at the NAIA national meet in Florida.

Coach Allen believes this will help prospective students see Hesston as a place where they can flourish.

“I think it was important for morale and for recruiting,” explains Allen. “The team celebrated those who succeeded, and with recruiting it helped athletes see that our program is a place where they can come to grow and improve.”

The first season of competition in the NAIA is in the books for these programs, and the future looks bright for HC athletics.

Cornell, the alumna basketball player we spoke to previously, hopes the coming generations of student-athletes at Hesston understand the legacy left by those that came before them.

“I want each of these players to seriously understand and know they are part of something so special and live it and enjoy it,” Cornell says. “We should all be excited for what Hesston College is doing, because now we can spread the joy and excitement of a four-year Hesston experience. We used to say ‘Start Here, Go Everywhere’ and now we have it all.”

Hesston College names Andrew Sharp as new athletic director

Hesston College has announced Andrew Sharp will serve as the institution’s next athletic director, bringing more than two decades of experience at the college into the leadership role.

Sharp has spent his entire professional career at Hesston College, serving in a variety of roles including admissions counselor, sports information director, adjunct faculty member, softball head coach, assistant athletic director and, most recently, development officer for the past seven years.

President Mark Landes says Sharp’s long-standing connection to the college and passion for student success made him a natural choice for the position.

“I am pleased to announce that Andy Sharp has accepted our offer to be Hesston College’s next athletic director,” Landes shares. “Andy can articulate the Hesston Experience as well as anyone I have met and has a true passion for seeing students succeed at Hesston College.”

Sharp is a graduate of Hesston College and later earned a bachelor’s degree from Millersville (Pa.) University. He also holds a Master of Education in sports administration from Wichita State University and a master’s degree in history from the University of Nebraska Kearney.

As athletic director, Sharp will guide the continued growth of the Larks’ athletic programs as HC grows into its new normal in four-year athletics.

“I look forward to working across campus as we all seek to uphold our mission statement,” Sharp says. “HC has long identified itself as a student-centered institution, and I am excited for the chance to advocate for our students, and our coaches, who are significant stakeholders in the student experience.”

Sharp says the college’s move to NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) competition presents opportunities for stronger relationships with peer institutions and continued development of the athletic program.

“The move to NAIA is a ‘coming home’ moment in many ways for Hesston College,” Sharp says. “We have always been a small, private, faith-based institution, and the NAIA includes many schools with similar size and mission. Competing in that environment feels like a natural fit for HC athletics.”

Sharp will begin transitioning into the role immediately as current athletic director Bryan Kehr prepares to retire at the end of the academic year.

Kehr has served Hesston College since 2010 in numerous roles including women’s soccer head coach, physical education instructor and intramurals director, while also assisting with softball and contributing to the classroom as a biblical literature group leader and grader.

He stepped into the role of interim athletic director in 2020 and was named athletic director in 2021, guiding Lark athletics through a significant period of growth and transformation. During his tenure, Hesston expanded its athletic offerings with the addition of powerlifting, esports and club sports including disc golf and dance, while also launching junior varsity teams in men’s soccer, volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball. Kehr also played a key role in leading the department’s transition from NJCAA competition to membership in the NAIA and the move to four-year athletics, positioning Lark athletics for continued growth in the years ahead.

College honors Jean Rodgers and Tami Keim with emeritus status

Hesston College recognized two former faculty members, Jean Rodgers and Tami Keim, with emeritus status during a campus formation on Wednesday, March 4, honoring their contributions to the college’s academic programs and mission.

“Hesston College is deeply grateful to Professors Rodgers and Keim for their commitment to students and the lasting positive impacts they have made to our community,” says Dr. Ross Peterson-Veatch, vice president of academics.

Tami Keim, former director of early childhood education, is recognized for her dedication to the early childhood education program and her commitment to the mission of Hesston College from 1987 to 2019.

Marc Yoder, former academic dean at Hesston College shares his experience.

“When I needed a boost of energy and positivity, I would step into Tami’s classroom or even walk near the room,” he recalls. “It teemed with enthusiasm and joy that was contagious.”

Through engaging and stimulating learning experiences, Keim helped foster a love of learning among children while equipping college students with the knowledge, values and practical skills needed for their own teaching careers.

Keim’s contributions extended beyond the classroom. Yoder recalls her commitment to Hesston College’s mission and service to the church community was reflected in every aspect of her work.

Jean Rodgers, former nursing faculty, is honored for her exceptional contributions to the Hesston College nursing program from 1974 to 2024 through her leadership, expertise and commitment to excellence in nursing education.

Her leadership was particularly significant during the nursing program’s transition from an associate degree to the Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Rodgers played a critical role in curriculum design and development during this period of growth, helping guide the program toward a competency-based curriculum model that aligns with contemporary standards in nursing education and practice.

“Her quiet thoughtfulness, analytical insight and collaborative spirit greatly benefited the department, particularly through her service on the curriculum committee,” Gregg Schroeder, director of nursing, shares.

Students likewise appreciated her ability to mentor and support them across multiple learning environments.

Confirmed by a faculty vote, emeritus status is awarded to retired faculty members, with at least fifteen years of service who have demonstrated meaningful contributions to Hesston College and its students. By granting emeritus status to Keim and Rodgers, Hesston College recognizes the lasting influence both educators have had on students, colleagues and the academic life of the institution.

Bel Canto Singers to embark on spring tour, “Songs of Hope for a World in Need”

Hesston College Bel Canto Singers will travel across Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois in March for their 2026 spring tour, sharing a program titled “Songs of Hope for a World in Need.” The choir will present concerts from March 15 to 24, concluding with a home performance at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, at Hesston Mennonite Church in Hesston, Kansas.

Under the direction of Interim Music Director Greg Bontrager, the ensemble’s tour centers on music as a transformative force for justice, mercy and peace.

“Through the gift of singing together, we seek more than beautiful sound, we seek transformation,” Bontrager says. “When voices rise in unity, barriers soften and hearts open, creating space for deeper understanding and shared humanity.”

The program reflects themes of compassion and faith, offering what Bontrager describes as “an offering of hope,” reminding a weary world that compassion still lives and love still endures.

Students participating in the tour collectively expressed the belief that music is a joyful, restful and fun way to share peace, prayer and mercy, and they look forward to bringing this experience to every stop along the tour:

• Sunday, March 15 at 8:30 and 11 a.m., Harrisonburg Mennonite Church, 1552 S High St., Harrisonburg, Virginia
• Sunday, March 15 at 4 p.m., Park View Mennonite Church, 1600 College Ave., Harrisonburg, Virginia
• Monday, March 16 at 7 p.m., Blossom Hill Mennonite Church, 333 Delp Rd, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
• Tuesday, March 17 at 7 p.m., Plains Mennonite Church, 50 W Orvilla Rd, Hatfield, Pennsylvania
• Wednesday, March 17 at 7 p.m., Salem Mennonite Church, 3363 Zuercher Rd, Dalton, Ohio
• Thursday, March, 19 at 7 p.m., East Goshen Mennonite Church, 2019 E Lincoln Ave, Goshen, Indiana
• Friday, March 20 at 10 a.m., Greencroft Goshen Community Center, 1320 Greencroft Blvd, Goshen, Indiana
• Sunday, March 22 at 9:30 a.m., Mennonite Church of Normal, 805 S Cottage Ave, Normal, Illinois
• Tuesday, March 24 at 7 p.m., Hesston Mennonite Church, 309 S Main St, Hesston, Kansas

Hesston College Theatre to present disco-rock musical “Xanadu”

Hesston College Theatre will bring sparkle, roller skates and chart-topping hits to the stage this spring with its production of “Xanadu.” Performances will take place at 7 p.m. March 5 to 7 and at 2 p.m. March 8 in Keim Center’s Black Box Theater. Tickets are $5 for students and $12 for adults and seniors, available at the door or in advance at hesston.edu/showtix or by calling 620-327-8104.

Directed by Theatre Director Rachel Jantzi, the high-energy musical plays a larger part in the overall message Jantzi wishes to convey throughout this year’s performances.

“I wanted to keep with the theme we had established with the fall play and Christmas show of fantastical stories and light-heartedness,” Jantzi says.

Set to the electrifying soundtrack of the 1980 cult film, the Broadway musical version of “Xanadu” by Douglas Carter Beane reimagines the story with sharper comedy, a streamlined story and additional characters. The show follows Greek muse Kira as she descends from Mount Olympus to Venice Beach, Calif., on a quest to inspire struggling artist Sonny Malone to achieve the greatest artistic creation of all time – the first roller disco.

“It took all the best stuff the movie offered – romance, roller skating and an incredible soundtrack, and ditched the poor special effects and loose storyline. He tightened it by introducing additional muses, which created clearer conflict, comedic relief, and he let the music really tell the story,” Jantzi explains. “After all, this movie soundtrack had five chart-busting hits in 1980 and all of them are in this show.”

Audiences can expect glittering costumes, infectious choreography and plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor.

“This is a disco-rock musical,” Jantzi says. “Anyone born in the ’70s or earlier who knew this movie or music will experience some sweet nostalgia. Anyone born after the ’70s will either know it from their parents, or they will simply appreciate the comedy and the music that is still heard today. And really, how many shows can a director pull out a disco ball and a pegasus? Have I mentioned the awesome music?”

The cast features lead actors Anja Martinez of Topeka, Kan., and Angel Sinnett of McPherson, Kan., as Kira and Sonny Malone. Ashleigh Williams of Eaton, Co., portrays Calliope; Rey Tipton of Hesston, Kan., plays Melpomene; Evelyn Gaertner of Newton, Kan., is Erato; Sebastian Pavlovich of Lindsborg, Kan., appears as Thalia; Adam Wonser of Goessel, Kan., plays Terpsichore; and Chloe Robinson of Moore, Okla., portrays Euterpe. The cast also features Josh Fleming ’25, Hesston College flight instructor, as Danny McGuire; Cindy Smith of Park City, Kan., and Constance Feldt of Wichita, Kan., in multiple ensemble roles; and Brody Hutto of Bel Aire, Kan., appearing as Hermes.

The production team includes stage manager Alyssa Coonce, of Hutchinson, Kan.; assistant stage manager and dramaturg Brody Hutto of Bel Aire, Kan.; lead carpenter Sam Setiawan of Goshen, Ind.; co-costume designers Evelyn Gaertner of Newton, Kan., and Chloe Robinson of Moore, Okla.; hair and makeup designer Constance Feldt of Wichita, Kan.; and props chief Ava Huynh of Lam Dong, Vietnam.

Recommended for audiences of all ages, “Xanadu” promises an evening of laughter, nostalgia and unapologetic fun.