Cyclopedic Ensemble

Cyclopedic Ensemble Mission:  We believe engagement in live theatre can change the world and provide opportunities for young actors.

Cyclopedic Ensemble (CE) is a non-profit theatre performance group. Our performances are via Cyclopedic Ensemble: Youth, and Cyclopedic Ensemble: After Hours.

We have performed twice in the KC Fringe Fest in 2022 and 2023 on City Stage in Union Station via Cyclopedic Ensemble for Youth. Both shows were musicals for all ages: The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fair(ly) (Stoopid) Tales (2022) which won KC Fringe Fest City Stage Best of Show, and Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed (2023). We plan another all-ages show for KC Fringe Fest 2024.

In Spring 2024, we will begin performances via Cyclopedic Ensemble After Hours; for mature audiences.

The goals of Cyclopedic Ensemble:

• to bring theatre to new audiences and create a learning experience built around those productions,

• to hire a diverse group of early-career actors and theatre technicians to gain additional professional experience and build their resumes.

Our core values are: 

Understanding

Contribute to inclusive change through understanding and learning about others by living in someone else’s shoes via live theatre.

Opportunity

Change the world through shared audience experiences.

Provide opportunities for young actors in what may be their first paid acting role.

Passion & Engagement

Engaging diverse audiences and creating a passion for live theatre and social change.

Our History:

We were founded by a small group of talented theatre professionals and friends. Our Board President, Eric Yazell, has more than 30 years of experience as a director and occasional actor. He was the Theatre Program Director at State Fair Community College  (SFCC)for more than 2 decades and has directed more than 70 productions. He has received Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Commendations in Sound Design (5), Ensemble Performance, and Comic Stage Direction.  He received the Outstanding Theatre Alumni award from the University of Central Missouri (UCM) and many other awards.

Kristen Henning serves as the Board Dramaturg. She has more than a decade of directing experience and has also won many directing awards. Her production of Be More Chill was invited to perform at the annual Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Region 5 in January, 2020.

Other board members and officers include SFCC and UCM theatre alumni, Alex Howell, Adriana Randall and Holden Childress. Adriana and Holden both acted in 2022 & 2023 CE productions. As Creative for the board, Adriana designed & painted sets for both productions and drew projections for our 2022 production. Holden, as the content creator officer, created many of the promotional videos. Chris Opatrny-Yazell is the Board Secretary and Finance officer and was the Costume Designer for both KC Fringe productions in 2022 and 2023.