Source: Todd Holmberg, 785-532-6425, trholm@k-state.edu
Note to editor: Mica Bengtson is a graduate of Olathe South High School; Morgan Bertison is a graduate of Olathe North High School; and Amy Burns is a graduate of Kansas City Christian School, Prairie Village.
News release prepared by: Rosie Hoefling, 785-532-2535, media@k-state.edu

Monday, Jan. 31, 2011

STUDENT TALENTS SHOWCASED IN CELEBRATION OF MCCAIN'S 40TH SEASON

MANHATTAN -- The spotlight will shine on the music, dance and acting talents of Kansas State University students in the first McCain Student Showcase, a show in honor of the 40th anniversary season of the McCain Performance Series.

The showcase is at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 6, in McCain Auditorium, and features performances by students in K-State's music, theater and dance programs.

"McCain Auditorium has helped shape the lives of countless K-State students in the last 40 years," said Todd Holmberg, executive director of the auditorium. "This performance is intended to honor that lasting legacy."

Holmberg said several K-State students from the music, theater and dance programs have gone on to successful careers in the performing arts.

"But the impact of McCain Auditorium is much more than that," he said. "The building has fed students' creative souls and has provided a place for inspiration for decades. These experiences are continuously influencing hundreds, if not thousands, of former K-State students in their everyday lives, no matter what their chosen career."

Tickets are $5 for the general public. Admission is free for all K-State students with their K-State ID. Tickets must be obtained in advance and can be purchased at the McCain Auditorium box office, 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays, or by calling 785-532-6428 More information is available online at http://www.k-state.edu/mccain.

K-State students participating in the McCain Student Showcase and their performance area include:

Brian Williams, senior in music, Augusta, music; Jordan Roberts, sophomore in theater, Beloit, dance; Katelyn Kobialka, junior in family studies and human services, dance, and Cassity Mitchell, senior in music education, music, both from Bonner Springs; Mary Byram, senior in life sciences, Council Grove, dance; Marguerite Fredericksen, senior in music education and applied music, Fort Scott, music.

From Greater Kansas City: DaJa Bresette, freshman in pre-journalism and mass communications, Kansas City, Kan., theater; Caitlyn Vohs, freshman in electrical engineering, Lenexa, dance; Mica Bengtson, sophomore in theater, dance, Morgan Bertison, senior in animal sciences and industry, dance, and Amy Burns, sophomore in elementary education, dance, all from Olathe; and Kelsey Brown, senior in music, music, Adam Lundine, senior in music education and applied music, music, and Nahshon Ruffin, junior in theater, theater, all from Overland Park.

From Hutchinson: Morgan Armbruster, junior in microbiology, dance; Alex Spence, sophomore in applied music, music; Kailyn Willse, senior in social work, dance; and Rachel Witham, master's student in counseling and student development, dance.

Laura Vallejo, senior in theater, Junction City, theater.

From Manhattan: D.J. Davis, junior in music education, music; Andrew Feyes, doctoral student in curriculum and instruction, music; Lynn Oswald, senior in family studies and human services, dance; Bethany Parker, sophomore in theater, dance; Will Stanfield, junior in music education, music; Eric Starnes, senior in music education, music; and Michael Ternes, senior in psychology and music, music.

Jennifer Lee, master's student in theater, Newton, theater; Caresse Elliott, freshman in theater, Ogden, theater; Anna Ukele, senior in theater and anthropology, Sabetha, dance.

From Salina: Megan Robl, senior in secondary education, dance; Karissa Spohn, sophomore in theater, dance; and Ariana Stavropoulos, senior in elementary education, music.

Matthew Patton, senior in applied music, music, and Erika Williams, sophomore in theater, theater, both from Topeka.

From Wichita: Christina Devaney, junior in secondary education, dance; Benjamin Berry, doctoral student in physics, music; Cameron Longabaugh, senior in music education, music; and Rebecca Ronen, senior in applied music, music.

From out of state:

Samuel Brinton, senior in mechanical engineering-nuclear option and vocal music performance, Perry, Iowa, music; Katherine Klinefelter, master's student in music, Whitehall, Mich., music; Heather Haberberger, senior in applied music, Fenton, Mo., dance; Kelsey Hoffmann, sophomore in pre-journalism and mass communications, dance, and Taneysha Howard, sophomore in agricultural communications and journalism, theater, both from St. Louis, Mo.; Victoria Menear, freshman in theater, Bellevue, Neb., dance; Jenna Lempke, senior in early childhood education, dance, and Matt Sommer, senior in music education, music, both from Papillion, Neb.; Breanna Stewart, sophomore in music, Flower Mound, Texas, theater; Laurie Stewart, senior in communication studies, Richmond, Va., dance; and Benjamin Cold, master's student in music, Ladysmith, Wis., music.