Ozarks Lyric Opera

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✨ What a beautiful way to close our run of Dream Big at the Gillioz Theatre! ✨

Today we welcomed our Opera-tunity Express crowd — giving children the opportunity to experience Dream Big free of charge — and what an incredible audience they were!

A huge thank you to Fair Grove, McGregor Elementary, and all of the homeschool groups who brought their students to share in this special experience. The energy, excitement, and thoughtful engagement from these young audiences made today unforgettable. 💫

We are especially grateful to Kate Klise for joining us, answering questions, and signing books for our students. Your presence helped make the story come alive in such a meaningful way. 📚✨

And to everyone who helped make today possible — performers, volunteers, educators, supporters, and behind-the-scenes magic makers — thank you.

Ending Dream Big surrounded by curious, inspired young minds felt like the perfect finale. 💙

Tonight is more than opening night… it’s HISTORY. ✨🎪

After years of dreaming, creating, collaborating, and believing big, the world premiere of Dream Big finally takes the stage TONIGHT at the Gillioz Theatre!

Inspired by the incredible true story of Missouri giantess Ella Kate Ewing, this brand-new opera is filled with heart, imagination, music, wonder, and a touch of circus magic. From the stunning score to the breathtaking visuals, this production is unlike anything Ozarks Lyric Opera has ever presented before.

We are so proud to share this special evening with our community and to bring a brand-new work to life right here in the Ozarks.

🎟 There is still time to join us for this unforgettable premiere event!

PLUS:
📚 Author Kate Klise will be signing copies of Stand Straight, Ella Kate after the performance
🎨 Enter to win a special circus-themed artwork donated by artist Randy Russell

Tonight we celebrate creativity, courage, and dreaming big. We cannot wait to see you at the theatre! ❤️
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📸credit: Matt Loveland Photography

🎭 MEET THE CAST 🎭

Meet Elijah Wise!

Elijah is a local third grader who made his theatre debut in Ozarks Lyric Opera’s production of La Bohème. He credits his love of the arts to his grandparents, who often take him to plays.

We are so excited to have him as part of Dream Big! ✨

🎭 MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM 🎭
Meet Costume Designers Kashena Northrip & Darren Wynne!

Known throughout the Ozarks for their incredible creativity, juggling, clowning, performance art, and imaginative costuming, Kashena and Darren have become beloved collaborators with Ozarks Lyric Opera. Their past OLO credits include Pagliacci, Sweet Louisa, The Black Rider, The Little Prince, and La Bohème.

They also operate Springfield’s own clown troupe, The Fools Gladly — bringing whimsy, artistry, and fun everywhere they go. We cannot wait for audiences to see the magic they’ve created for Dream Big! 🎪✨

🎭 MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM 🎭

Meet Set Designer John Johnson!

With more than 35 years of experience in technical theatre production, performance, and teaching, John brings an incredible depth of creativity and craftsmanship to Dream Big. Audiences may recognize him from productions including Cabaret, Spamalot, West Side Story, Seussical, The Wizard of Oz, and many more.

From stage performances to technical magic behind the scenes, John has helped shape theatre across the Ozarks for decades — and we are thrilled to have him as part of this production! ✨

🎭 MEET THE CREATIVE TEAM 🎭
Meet Stage Manager Kinzey Sapp!

Originally from Joplin, Missouri, Kinzey is thrilled to return to Ozarks Lyric Opera for her third production. A graduate of Missouri State University with a BFA in Theatre & Dance, Kinzey has worked both on stage and behind the scenes with productions including Disney on Ice Presents: Into the Magic, Fidelio, The Marriage of Figaro, and The Black Rider.

We are so excited to have her helping bring the world premiere of Dream Big to life! ✨