Rebecca Smith

Rebecca Smith

Rebecca Smith is an impassioned supporter of local performances of all types, who welcomes the  opportunity to promote them to KC Studio readers.

Artist to Watch: Melinda Hedgecorth

Artist to Watch: Melinda Hedgecorth

Seville, Spain, is a sister city to Kansas City, as the Country Club Plaza reminds us. Now we have another active, vibrant connection: Melinda Hedgecorth, flamenco dancer and instructor. Hedgecorth learned flamenco at its wellspring, studying the traditional art form for 14 years in Seville.

The Art of Creative Survival

The Art of Creative Survival

“What I wouldn’t give to be on a stage right now!” says actress Krista Eyler, who recently completed “The Sparkletones,” a new musical inspired by her mother’s 1960s singing group (of the same name), created with partner Barb Nichols.

Pandemic Leads to Innovation Among KC Artists

Our print story in the September/October issue about KC artists’ responses to the pandemic represents just a fraction of what’s been going on in studios, neighborhoods and online. Read on for more great projects and performances compiled by “KC Studio” contributing writer Rebecca Smith. Calvin Arsenia, artist and musician, offered ukulele lessons from home and […]

Artist to Watch: Allison Jones

Artist to Watch: Allison Jones

Allison Jones burst onto the Kansas City theater scene in 2018 with her performance in Spinning Tree’s colorful “Once On This Island.” She had performed in “Sondheim on Sondheim” with Summit Theatre Group in Lee’s Summit and in “Sister Act” with The Barn Players Theatre, but “Island” was her breakthrough.

Artist to Watch: Yetunde Felix-Ukwu

Artist to Watch: Yetunde Felix-Ukwu

When Yetunde Felix-Ukwu earned her degree from the UMKC graduate theatre program a year ago, she had plenty of professional exposure under her belt as well as appearances in student plays. In “Secret Soldiers” at The Coterie, Felix-Ukwu played four characters: Harriet Tubman, Civil War Nurse Hughes, Mary Lewis/William Kemp and a barmaid.

“The Naughty Tour” Returns for the Fourth Year

“The Naughty Tour” Returns for the Fourth Year

On Dec. 17, The Folly Theater will present “A Drag Queen Christmas: The Naughty Tour” for the fourth year. The show (all ages welcome) features stars from the VH1, Emmy Award-winning reality show, “RuPaul’s Drag Race,” in a two-hour, full-stage production of holiday songs, costumes and dancing. And as always, according to co-founder Murray Hodgson, […]