The Coterie Theatre
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Electric Renaissance |
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| A Co-Produced Special Event with American Jazz Museum Written and directed by Teresa M. Leggard Featuring Robert E. Coppage III Music by Amber Flutienastiness Underwood |
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Cast
Creative Team
Teresa M. Leggard
Ezra Martinez-Haskins
Derek Trautwein
Georgianna Londré
Dorian Allen
Khalia Davis Philp
Jonathan Thomas
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
Electric Renaissance includes the following poems composed by writers of the Harlem Renaissance:
"The Heart of a Woman" - Georgia Douglas Johnson
"Theme for English B" - Langston Hughes
"Joy in the Woods" - Claude McKay
"Ballad of the Landlord" - Langston Hughes
"Mother to Son" - Langston Hughes
"I, Too" - Langston Hughes
The videotaping or other video or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited. Cell phones are to be put away during the performance.
SPECIAL THANKS
Playwright and director, Teresa M. Leggard, sends special thanks to: her first readers, Jay Galang, Michelle Tyrene Johnson and Keion Jackson; her college professor and Langston Hughes scholar, Dr. Akiba Harper; and producing artistic director Khalia Davis Philips for inviting her to collaborate in the creation of this work.
Thanks also to Kansas City Art Institute for original production designs by the Illustration Department’s student staffed agency, MICRO: Electric Renaissance design by Violet Hudson.
Electric Renaissance is underwritten by Dr. Michael J Wurm and Cindy Wurm and the Andy and Peggy Beal Family Fund.
The Coterie is proud to recognize funding from partners Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts – Commerce Bank, Trustee; The Sosland Foundation; and Spencer Fane.
Additional financial assistance for The Coterie's season has been generously provided by Missouri Arts Council, Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, Hallmark Corporate Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Mark Edelman Theater Fund, Muriel McBrien Kauffman Family Foundation, Richard J. Stern Foundation, and Theater League.
The Coterie is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit professional theatre, and a member of Theatre Communications Group (TCG) and Theatre for Young Audiences/USA: The US chapter of ASSITEJ, the International Association of Theatre for Children and Young People. The Coterie is a professional theatre company employing members of Actors’ Equity Association, founded in 1913, representing more than 51,000 professional actors and stage managers in the U.S.
ABOUT THE COTERIE
The Coterie Theatre provides unique theatre experiences for families and young audiences. A not-for-profit professional theatre company, The Coterie is nationally recognized for its one-of-a-kind programming that features a year-round season of live plays and musicals on the company's mainstage. Since its founding in 1979 in Kansas City, Missouri, The Coterie has been at the forefront of commissioning new works or adaptations that contribute to the field of theatre for young audiences. More than 50 world or American premieres for all ages have been produced by The Coterie over the last 47 years, including hosting multiple major Broadway composers and lyricists to shape quality musicals for youth and families. The Coterie is interested in intergenerational conversation, and consistently includes teen programming in its season and outreach efforts.
The Coterie offers acting and theatre classes year-round for PreK-12th grades at multiple locations around Kansas City, including an extensive summer program of classes and performance camps. The Coterie’s community programming redefines traditional notions of work for young audiences with its unique dramatic youth writing programs (In-School Literacy Residencies and Young Playwrights Workshop), as well as two programs offered to students and schools free of charge, focusing on teen LGBTQ work (Project Pride) and preteen and teen mental health workshops (Project Daylight).
All these components serve on average over 75,000 young people and their families per year through over 350 performances. The Coterie's mission is to celebrate young people and engage diverse communities through professional theatre and education programs that foster creativity, confidence, and compassion. Donate at www.thecoterie.org.
2026 COTERIE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Joe Bellinger • President
Laura Antolak • Vice President
Kristina Thompson • Secretary
Ashley Strohm • Treasurer
Sara Anthony
Angela Bedell
LaTanya Franklin
Carlos Gonzalez
Katie Hall
Jennifer Ingraham
Michael Judy
Gabriela Lucas
Kevin Madden
Greg Oborny
Ashlee Parker-Osborne
Ali Saucier
Natalie Simms-Patton
Theresa Stoker
COTERIE ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
MANAGING DIRECTOR • Jonathan Thomas
PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR • Khalia Davis Philp
MARKETING & PUBLIC RELATIONS DIRECTOR • David Golston
DIRECTOR OF THEATRE SCHOOL • Allison Nissley
COMMUNITY PROGRAM MANAGER • Xinyue Zhang
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR • Derek Trautwein
BOX OFFICE MANAGER • Jason Coats
BOOKING COORDINATOR • Stephanie Laaker
BOX OFFICE ASSISTANT/MARKETING SPECIALIST • Tressa Lee
HOUSE MANAGERS & BOX OFFICE ASSISTANTS • Dorian Allen, Kali Coates, Ciera Loran, Ezra Martinez-Haskins, Kelsey McGee, Pam West
PRODUCTION SPONSOR
What got you into theatre? ... and other biographical notes from the cast & production team
Robert E. Coppage III
Robert E. Coppage III did his first play in Pre-K and he's loved acting ever since! Robert returns to The Coterie after previously appearing as Eugene in WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED: THE STUDENT SIT-INS OF 1960, an understudy in the world premiere of ONLY ONE DAY A YEAR, and serving as house manager since 2024. Robert is an actor and teacher from Wyandotte County, KS. He has over 20 years of theatre experience and has enjoyed performing all over the KC Metro area doing film, commercial, theatre, and improv. He co-founded Tribe University and now teaches improvisation to young people in neighborhoods similar to where he was raised. Through improv he is able to give voice and confidence to overlooked stories and storytellers. Tribe University promotes public speaking skills, clear decision-making skills, and quick-thinking abilities. For more information about Robert, visit www.tribeuniversity.org.
Amber “Flutienastiness” Underwood
Amber “Flutienastiness” Underwood found theatre at a time when she was learning how to truly use her voice — not just as a musician, but as a storyteller. She grew up surrounded by music, creativity, and performance, and over the years she discovered that theatre brings all of those worlds together in such a powerful way. As a flutist, educator, and performer, she has always loved connecting with people through emotion and storytelling, and theatre gives her another space to do exactly that. What inspires her most is the ability to move an audience, make people feel seen, and remind young artists that there is room for their unique voice, creativity, and personality on stage. Amber is a Kansas City-based flutist, educator, bandleader, and creative artist making her theatrical debut in this production with The Coterie. Internationally recognized for her bold and soulful approach to music, Amber blends jazz, R&B, gospel, and contemporary influences into her artistry both on and off stage. She is the bandleader of Flutienastiness and the SoulPatrol and has performed throughout the United States as well as internationally in Chile and Mexico. In addition to performing, Amber serves as an applied flute professor at Kansas City Kansas Community College and is passionate about arts education, storytelling, and inspiring the next generation of young creatives. Find out more about Amber on Instagram @flutienastiness or @kckcc_officialflutestudio, Facebook at Flutienastiness, TikTok @flutienastiness, YouTube at Flutienastiness, LinkedIn at Amber Underwood, or on her website www.flutienastiness.com.
Teresa M. Leggard
Teresa M. Leggard found her way to theatre first through poetry... then church plays... and then graduate school. Teresa returns to The Coterie after previously directing AKEELAH AND THE BEE; the world premiere of ONLY ONE DAY A YEAR, in which she also appeared on stage in the cast; the world premiere of HORSE POWER: TOM BASS’ AMERICAN STORY; and assistant directing A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD. Other directing credits include INTIMATE APPAREL for Frantze Family Blackbox Theatre – Avila University; PIPELINE for Unicorn Theatre; PASS OVER for Olathe Civic Theatre Association; THE GREEN BOOK WINE CLUB TRAIN TRIP and SINGLE BLACK FEMALE for KC MeltingPot Theatre; EVERY 28 HOURS for Fishtank Theatre; and GUMBO HOUSE, an independent production with Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre. She also assistant directed NINA SIMONE: FOUR WOMEN for Kansas City Repertory Theatre and Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Additional regional credits include ONTARIO WAS HERE at Lied Center of Kansas – University of Kansas. Teresa has also appeared as a guest artist at William Inge Festival, New South Young Playwrights Festival, and Midwest Dramatists Center Theatre Conference.
Ezra Martinez-Haskins
Ezra Martinez-Haskins started acting when they were in middle school and has been in love with theatre ever since! Right after college, Ezra worked at the Lawrence Arts Center for a few years where they stage managed musicals, plays, and dance recitals. They then moved to Kansas City where their first KC stage manager gig was for LEGALLY BLONDE at Stage Right Theatre Company and they have been on the move ever since. Their stage management credits include: Young Playwrights Festival and Project Pride at The Coterie, EXIT 16 with Hypothesis a Theatre Lab, THE OTHERS for Cyclopedic Ensemble, MEL'N E [MELANIN & EDUCATED] for Terr. Studios, BARE THE ROCK OPERA at The Arts Asylum, CHRISTMAS AIN'T A DRAG and John Leguizamo’s LATIN HISTORY FOR MORONS at The Black Box. Most recently they stage managed THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION with Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre. Ezra is super excited to be back at The Coterie for this amazing production!!
Derek Trautwein
Derek Trautwein is a Kansas City theatre artist with a wide berth of professional and educational experience. Derek recently made his Coterie directing debut with the world premiere production of the Theatre for Young Audiences version of ELF - THE MUSICAL. He has served as technical director on The Coterie's LILLY AND THE PIRATES, the world premiere of THE DRUM CLOSET, A WRINKLE IN TIME, CINDERELLA: A SALSA FAIRY TALE, JUST ASK!, FINDING NEMO T.Y.A., ELECTRIC POE (2024 & 2025), the world premiere of HORSE POWER: TOM BASS' AMERICAN STORY, Roald Dahl's CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, NAKED MOLE RAT GETS DRESSED: THE ROCK EXPERIENCE, and RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL (2023). After graduating from Northwest Missouri State University in 2009 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre Performance, Derek received his Master of Arts Degree in Theatre History in 2012 from the University of Central Missouri (UCM). During his time at UCM, Derek began his journey as a carpenter and Technical Director to accompany his endeavors in acting, directing, and playwriting. From 2013 to 2023, Derek served as faculty amongst the Department of Theatre and Dance at Benedictine College in Atchison, KS. Initially hired as the Technical Director, as he oversaw all sound, light, and scenic elements, Derek was promoted to Assistant Professor and Department Chair in 2021. Derek’s final directing spotlight at Benedictine, THE MOUSETRAP by Agatha Christie, received a Meritorious Achievement Award for Play Direction from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in 2023. Around Kansas City, Derek has worked with the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Kansas City Public Theatre, KC MeltingPot Theatre, Relevance Productions, Card Table Theatre, and Stuffed Buffalo Productions. Since 2012, Derek has been an active participant in the Kansas City Fringe Festival, producing over a dozen pieces of original works written by other artists as well as his own, including DECEIT, which earned Derek the inaugural Mark Edelman Best New Play Award in 2019. Derek’s original plays have also been featured multiple times each for Kansas City Public Theatre, Olathe Civic Theatre Association, and the Kansas City Horror Play Festival. Lately, Derek has been bouncing around multiple spaces in the Kansas City theatre community including performing on stage in THIS RANDOM WORLD: THE MYTH OF SERENDIPITY at Just Off Broadway Theatre and ELF - THE MUSICAL with Padgett Productions as well as serving as technical director of NATASHA, PIERRE & THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 at The Black Box and THE SHOOTER produced by Trish Mitchell at Just Off Broadway Theatre. Moving forward, Derek seeks to create on his own terms while aiding artists of all kind to find their voices and venues.
Georgianna Londré
Georgianna Londré has been in the audience for live theatre for as long as she can remember, and always noticed how costumes collaborated in the production. Her most recent designs at The Coterie include CINDERELLA: A SALSA FAIRY TALE, the world premiere of HORSE POWER: TOM BASS' AMERICAN STORY, CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER: THE MUSICAL (2014, 2016, 2018, 2023), ONLY ONE DAY A YEAR, A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS (2015, 2017, 2019, 2022), ELECTRIC POE (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024), AKEELAH AND THE BEE, ALICE'S WONDERLAND, PETE THE CAT, THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL, DRAGONS LOVE TACOS, PUFFS, RISE UP: THE STRUGGLE OF THE FREEDOM RIDERS, BEAT BUGS: A MUSICAL ADVENTURE, MR. POPPER'S PENGUINS, BECOMING MARTIN, TUCK EVERLASTING, WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED: THE STUDENT SIT-INS OF 1960, GARFIELD: THE MUSICAL WITH CATTITUDE, ELEPHANT & PIGGIE'S "WE ARE IN A PLAY!", NO TALKING, THE NINE WHO DARED: COURAGE IN LITTLE ROCK, and over 50 other designs since 2000. Other recent design credits include COME BLOW YOUR HORN and HANK WILLIAMS: LOST HIGHWAY with New Theatre & Restaurant, THE OLD MAN AND THE OLD MOON at Kansas City Repertory Theatre, and eight seasons with Quality Hill Playhouse. She has also designed for Late Night Theatre, The Living Room, Kansas City Actors Theatre, and What if Puppets. She always hopes her son likes the plays she’s working on at The Coterie, and he motivates her to do her best.
Dorian Allen
Dorian Allen got started in live music before eventually migrating to working in theatre. Dorian has recently served on The Coterie's technical team for several productions over the last few years after spending time in stage management and performance work across the city. Recent credits include playing guitar in FUN HOME, with Olathe Civic Theatre Association and in BEAUTIFUL with The Barn Players; assistant stage manager for NATASHA, PIERRE, AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 with Fishtank Theatre, and stage manager for The Living Room Theatre's No Sleep November festival. When not on a ladder or covered in paint you can find Dorian serving drinks at The Black Box or seeing shows at local dives. He would like to thank his family, his dog, and Heidi Van for their continued support.
Khalia Davis Philp
Khalia Davis was eleven years old when she was cast in her first role in an original play at a theatre summer camp. At the top of the show, when she said her first line, the audience actually laughed and she knew she was hooked! For Khalia, that is the magic and beauty of live theatre: that special exchange you share with the audience, knowing that your art is the reason they are transported for a short time to new worlds, learning, and experiencing new stories. Khalia co-leads The Coterie with the managing director to bring the organization’s innovative performances and programs to the Kansas City region. She previously directed The Coterie's production of FINDING NEMO TYA. Khalia is a multidisciplinary artist and arts leader who most recently served as the Assistant Director for the Broadway-bound world premiere, THE HIPPEST TRIP: THE SOUL TRAIN MUSICAL. As the former Artistic Director of Bay Area Children’s Theatre (BACT), she led the world premieres of A KIDS PLAY ABOUT RACISM, which brought together over 40 theater producing partners, including The Coterie, and was viewed on Broadway on Demand nearly 80,000 times during its limited run then became a free resource for educators and their students; and THE IMAGINARIES: AN IMMERSIVE MUSICAL, an original new work that transformed their theater into an accessible playground created by the newly-formed BACT Writer’s Room, which was created as a direct response to the lack of opportunities for BIPOC playwrights and composers specializing in TYA projects. During the COVID pandemic when theaters were closed in the Bay Area, Khalia worked in partnership with former Executive Director of BACT, Nina Meehan, to conceive and produce various forms of theatrical digital and audio content for young audiences that activated their creativity and imaginative play, showcasing the potential for future digital and theatrical collaborations in TYA programming. Khalia directed and devised other new works like the award-nominated world premiere, SHE PERSISTED, THE MUSICAL, based on the popular children’s book by Chelsea Clinton; the Off-Broadway world premiere of an original adaptation of Maya Angelou’s I KNOW WHY THE CAGED BIRD SINGS with New York City Children’s Theater; and the world premiere ARTHUR AND FRIENDS MAKE A MUSICAL! based on “Arthur,” the longest-running animated series on PBS with First Stage. Other prominent theaters include: A.C.T., Atlantic Theater Company’s Atlantic for Kids, New York City Children’s Theater, Disney Theatrical Group, Spellbound Theatre, and more. As a producer, Khalia has helped organizations reach hundreds of thousands of young people through interactive “edu-tainment” with the nationally known STORY PIRATES, generated new digital pre-school content with Spellbound at Home, and produced children’s media with her personal company, Kids at Heart Productions. Before assuming her role as Artistic Director of Bay Area Children’s Theater in 2020, Khalia served as the Director of Inclusion and Education with Brooklyn Children’s Theatre restructuring their children’s musical theatre programming through an anti-racism lens. Khalia is a proud board member for TYA/USA, Spellbound Theatre, and The Story Pirates. Awards include: 2019 Emerging Leader Fellowship-TYA/USA, 2019 NYCCT Leader Fellowship, and 2021 Corey Medallion Award-Children’s Theatre Foundation of America. Khalia has a BA in Theater Arts from the University of Southern California. To find out more, visit www.khaliadavis.com.
Jonathan Thomas
Jonathan Thomas serves as Managing Director of The Coterie Theatre, having stepped into his role managing operations after the tragic loss of Executive Director Joette Pelster. He co-leads the organization with the Producing Artistic Director Khalia Davis Philp, working to bring The Coterie’s innovative performances and programs to the Kansas City region. Jonathan began his path as a professional opera and musical theatre performer out of college, working locally with many area performing arts organizations including the Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Chorale, Simon Carrington Chamber Singers, Lyric Opera of Kansas City, and New Theatre & Restaurant. After seven years building a successful insurance and financial advising agency, he moved to San Francisco to follow his passion in arts administration. Before returning to Kansas City in 2018, he served as the development manager for The Walden School for three years, where he oversaw organizational fundraising strategies and expanded alumni relations. At ArtsKC, he served as Senior Development Manager, which greatly expanded his knowledge of the Kansas City arts sector. Prior to joining The Coterie, Jonathan served as the Senior Manager for Individual Giving and Partnerships at Lyric Opera of Kansas City, combining his love for the performing arts with his passion for leadership and fund development. Jonathan received a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Kansas. He continues his commitment to educating and advocating for the arts by serving on the Kansas City Chorale Board, the Johnson County Park and Recreation Artist Selection Committee, and by chairing the Theatre in the Park Advisory Council. He is a frequent guest speaker about the economic impact of the arts in Kansas City, appearing at the NAAAP Leadership Conference, Arts Day for Centurions, and at the Northeast Kansas City Chamber of Commerce. Jonathan is married to Gail Nakano and is a father to Sofia, a senior at Cornell University, Tristan, a senior in high school, and Cassia and Koda, two littles who haven’t decided on college plans to date.
Donors
The Coterie wishes to express its deepest appreciation to the many corporations, foundations, agencies, and individuals that so generously support The Coterie.
The following list celebrates gifts received September 1, 2024, and September 15, 2025.
| AGENCIES & ORGANIZATIONS | |
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$10,000+
$500 - $999 |
| FOUNDATIONS OF THE COTERIE |
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$10,000+
$5,000 - $9,999
$1,000 - $2,499 |
| CORPORATE IMPACT | |
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$10,000+ $5,000 - $9,999
$2,500 - $4,999
$500 - $2,499 |
| INDIVIDUAL GIVING | |
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VISIONARIES ($5,000+) |
PRODUCERS ($2,500 - $4,999) Charles & Virginia Clark Jennifer & Jason Ingraham Lynette Bates & Chuck Koester The Estate of David K. Lohrentz Jeanne & Charlie Sosland Jonathan Thomas & Gail Nakano |
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DIRECTORS ($1,000 - $2,499) |
Michael & |
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SUSTAINERS ($500 - $999) |
Cheri Milligan |
| INNOVATORS ($250 - $499) Anonymous Jeme & Erica Benadon Maureen & William Berkley Tim Bowen Cathi & David Brain Julie & John Cain Mary & John Calkins James & Jennifer DeGood Tom & Anne Dillon Anthony Edwards & Scott Henze Beverly Godwin & Mike Roberts Erick & Alina Guerra Doty Hoffman Don Loncasty Martha & Byron Long Melissa & Brandon McManamy Daniel Nelson |
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ADVOCATES ($100 - $249) |
Lynn & Lewis Lowry |
| ENSEMBLE ($50 - $99) Anonymous (10) Susan & Dale Abrahamson Rana & Kevin Bentley Barbara Bernstein & Saul Erlich Cathy Blake Autumn Book The Brasel Family Ingrid Burnett Bart Cords Amy Devine Elizabeth Domann Kathy & Jim Dunn Barbara Bernstein & Saul Erlich Katie Harris Mary Harrison Diane Stone Hayes |
Andrea Kalish |
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In Memory of Nancy Marcy, |
Chet Kincaid Clarann Krueger Judy Lanes Analee Lanio Lesly Lewandowski Howard Martin Carolyn Rutherford Mayo Carol McClellan Christine Moranetz John Rensenhouse Jan Rogge Sheila Schmidt Jeanne & Charlie Sosland Kerry Sutorius Sherlyn Talkington Kurtis Thiel Donna Thomason Sallie Trecek Nancy Wagner Holden Wertheimer-Meier |
