K-State School of Music, Theatre, and Dance

The K-State Marching Band never misses a beat, whether freezing or frying. What does a clarinet player from sunny Florida think of marching in chaotic Kansas weather? https://bit.ly/4tUotIF

Intro to the Art of Film
4-Week Asynchronous Online Course Begins June 29

In this course, students will focus on the analysis of films, with attention paid to aesthetics, history, production processes, and criticism.

Films include: Amelie, Winter's Bone, Parasite, Get Out, Rear Window, Small Town Gay Bar, and many more! All films provided.

THTRE 235-ZB (12598)
3 credits (Fulfills Arts & Humanities requirements and counts toward Film Studies Certificate)
The course runs June 29-July 24.

Four Kansas State University professors, including Dr. Alyssa Morris, have been named University Outstanding Scholars, recognizing their exemplary contributions to K-State, their disciplines, and the university's land-grant mission.

Alyssa Morris, associate professor of oboe and music theory, is an internationally recognized oboist and composer whose work has earned national and international recognition through performances, compositions, recordings and artistic leadership. Her music has been performed by leading musicians and ensembles throughout the world and featured at major conferences, including the International Double Reed Society, International ClarinetFest and the National Flute Association. As a performer, she has appeared in solo, chamber and concerto performances across the U.S. and internationally.

Read more 👇️

Please help us welcome Dr. Ben Stasny as Teaching Assistant Professor of Acting/Directing.

Dr. Stasny is thrilled to join the faculty at K-State! He is moving to Kansas from Colorado where he has spent the last 6 years actively involved in theatre and education. He received his PhD in Theatre & Performance Studies from the University of Colorado Boulder and became certified as a facilitator of Theatre of the Oppressed from the Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre and Mandala Center for Change.

Before joining K-State, Dr. Stasny worked at Red Rocks Community College in Denver where he developed Open Educational Resources in Musical Theatre History and Theatre Voice & Diction. While in Boulder, Ben directed the plenary session for the United Nations' Annual Global Climate Summit and co-produced two international Stand-Up Comedy Shows about climate change at the Boulder Theater.

Dr. Stasny has a deep passion for improv, musical theatre, interdisciplinary studies, and new work. He looks forward to working with students at K-State and helping them achieve meaningful careers in theatre!

Learn more about Dr. Stasny: https://www.k-state.edu/mtd/about/faculty-staff/stasny/

Congrats to Jenna Dominguez (BMEd '23) on her acceptance at Florida State University. where she will being a Master of Music Education beginning this summer. She currently teaches band and choir at Wellsville USD 289.

Placement news!

Recent masters oboe graduate Lucas Reed will pursue his DMA studies at the Ohio State University and has accepted a Graduate Teaching Assistantship for Fall 2026!

We're looking for creative and motivated students to join the MTD Marketing staff for the 2026-2027 school year. These new team members will help promote the vibrancy of the performing arts at K-State through visual media - video, photography, and graphic design.

Applications are welcome through June 8 on Handshake.
https://www.k-state.edu/careercenter/students/lets_go/handshake/

Please help us welcome Xan Perkins to the MTD faculty as Instructor and Assistant Director of Bands beginning this fall.

Xan Perkins is a music educator, artist, and researcher coming from Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, OK where he has been serving as Director of Bands and Instrumental Studies. At NWOSU, Xan directed the University Symphonic Band, NWOSU Jazz Ensemble, the Ranger Marching Band, taught low brass applied lessons, music theory, arranging, and music education classes.

Prior to NWOSU, Xan began a Ph.D. at Washington State University through the Individual Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program, where he also served as a Graduate Assistant for the WSU Cougar Marching Band and directed the Cougar Volleyball Band. He holds a Master of Music in Performance from the University of Northern Colorado (2019) and a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from Kansas State University (2016).

Xan has distinguished himself as an in-demand low brass performer, earning a semi-finalist placement at the 2023 Leonard Falcone Festival and a 3rd place finish at the 2024 Northwest Regional Tuba and Euphonium Conference Artist Competition. He has performed with the Mid-Columbia Symphony, Clarion Brass, Walla Walla Symphony, Tulsa's King Cabbage Brass Band, and Kansas City's Back Alley Brass Band. He has also collaborated with celebrated musicians including Sam Pilafian, Jose Sibaja, Tim Buzzbee, and the Boston Brass. For the past four years, Xan has been a regular guest soloist with the Manhattan Municipal Band under the direction of Dr. Frank Tracz.

As an educator and scholar, Xan is passionate about inspiring students to engage with their local communities through music. His teaching and research draw on culturally relevant pedagogy and center the role of music in fostering an understanding of diversity and culture, with particular interest in jazz history, Second Line brass band traditions, brass methods, and athletic bands.

K-State Marching Band, K-State Bands