The Program
At Grandview, we offer a comprehensive theatre program for students of all skill levels and involvement desires. "Every character actor [and tech member], in their own little sphere, is the lead."
Classes – Each Theatre class teaches theatre fundamentals essential for student success in the performing arts, and provides an outlet for students’ creativity and self-expression. Grandview High School is proud to offer Introduction to Theatre, Theatre I, Theatre II, Theatre III, and Technical Theatre. Shows – Students may be involved on or offstage in All School Productions including a Fall Musical and a Spring Play. They may also assist with the Children’s Musical, One Acts, Workshops, and/or Reader's Theatre. International Thespian Society – The Theatre Honor Society. Kansas City Cappies -- A student-led critic and awards program. Students attend other school's productions, they write reviews (that can be published!) and participate in an awards area-wide. |
Theatre Program Director: Molly MoklerMs. Mokler began her educational career teaching English at a charter school in Colorado. She came to Grandview High School in 2017 to run the Success Academy program for at-risk students. After a season serving as Assistant Director of the Grandview Theatre program, Ms. Mokler transitioned in 2018 to Theatre teacher and Director.
Ms. Mokler has extensive onstage & offstage experience in educational and professional settings. Her varied responsibilities have included directing, stage management, properties production, and script writing & analysis. Ms. Mokler received the 2018/2019 Best Lead Actress for her performance of Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream at City Theatre of Independence. Molly Mokler received a B.A. in English Education, with a minor in Theatre and Speech education. Twice Ms. Mokler won the campus literature analysis essay contest using dramaturgical research. She was the recipient of the Larry Thomson award as an "outstanding English major." She is currently pursuing her Master's in Theatre Education from the University of Northern Colorado. Her favorite role on-or-off-stage has been the role of Mom. |
Technical Director: Amber Kelley
Music Director: Ehan HartungEhan Hartung is a vocalist, conductor, and commercial music performer. Previous to directing choirs at GHS, he served as the choir teacher at Mead Middle School and participated in numerous church, community, professional choirs in Wichita, KS. Mr. Hartung is a Conductor, Educator, and Composer who partners with schools, churches, and individual musicians to grow their understanding voice mechanics, literacy, and expressivity.
A native of Kansas, Mr. Hartung received his Bachelor’s in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Friends University and his Master in Choral Conducting from Western Illinois University. Additionally, he is a part-time composer with several works commissioned by schools and church choirs. His main research interests involve the effects of vocal mechanisms on expressivity and their impact on pedagogy and assessment standards. |
Assistant Director: Breanna Wolz
Breanna Wolz (formerly Lowry) teaches Vocal Music for Grandview Middle School and is the Middle School Musical Director for GMS and MCM. Breanna Wolz is a Kansas City native and proud alumni of the Hickman Mills CSD. Breanna received a Bachelor's degree in Music: Vocal Performance and a Minor in Musical Theatre from Avila University where she was the honored recipient of the "Jane Jordan Outstanding Musician Award". Brenna continued to the University of Central Missouri as a Graduate Teaching Assistant where she earned a Masters in Music: Choral Conducting, and a Masters in Education, along with her K-12 Music Teaching Certificate. While at the University of Central Missouri, Breanna's research proved that through cardiovascular exercise vocalists could increase lung capacity and the rate of air expelled.
Breanna's favorite choral memory is performing a world premiere of Thomas Lavoy's "White Stones" at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2015. |