Michael Butcher - Director and Teacher
Michael returned to Kickapoo for the spring of 2023 to help transition to a new director for the fall of 2023. Michael retired from the public school systems of Missouri in 2021 after 31 years of service. He was the theatre teacher/director at Kickapoo High School for twenty-two years. He has directed and produced 100’s of theatrical productions including his all-time favorites Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera. Michael earned his bachelor’s degree in Speech and Theatre from Missouri State University and holds a Masters from Drury University. In 2019, his student’s production of Into the Woods was selected to perform at the Kansas City Music Hall. His students have won many State Thespian Conference awards and scholarships. Many of his students have qualified to compete at the International Thespian Festival and several of these students have placed in the top 10 in the world and have received international scholarships. His students have also won district and state honors through MSHSAA one-act play and readers theater competitions. Michael is an instructor for Drury University’s Pre-College program, serves as an instructor for the Missouri Fine Arts Academy, and is the theatre director at Gloria Deo Academy. Many of his former students have gone on to have successful careers as professional actors, performers, and teachers. He is a member of the Speech and Theatre Association of Missouri, National Speech and Debate Association, and The Educational Theatre Association.
Michael returned to Kickapoo for the spring of 2023 to help transition to a new director for the fall of 2023. Michael retired from the public school systems of Missouri in 2021 after 31 years of service. He was the theatre teacher/director at Kickapoo High School for twenty-two years. He has directed and produced 100’s of theatrical productions including his all-time favorites Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera. Michael earned his bachelor’s degree in Speech and Theatre from Missouri State University and holds a Masters from Drury University. In 2019, his student’s production of Into the Woods was selected to perform at the Kansas City Music Hall. His students have won many State Thespian Conference awards and scholarships. Many of his students have qualified to compete at the International Thespian Festival and several of these students have placed in the top 10 in the world and have received international scholarships. His students have also won district and state honors through MSHSAA one-act play and readers theater competitions. Michael is an instructor for Drury University’s Pre-College program, serves as an instructor for the Missouri Fine Arts Academy, and is the theatre director at Gloria Deo Academy. Many of his former students have gone on to have successful careers as professional actors, performers, and teachers. He is a member of the Speech and Theatre Association of Missouri, National Speech and Debate Association, and The Educational Theatre Association.
Austin Butcher - Technical Director
Austin has been in and around theatre his entire life. He has served as technical director at Kickapoo High School since 2017. Prior to COVID Austin lead the Kickapoo Theatre Tech Team to its first state title in the Missouri State Thespians Tech Team Challenge. The tech students repeated as state champions again after resuming in person events in 2022. The tech teams had success again this year with the tech challenge team winning two state events and third place in another. The makeup design team and the costume design team earned perfect scores and earned superiors. One tech team member earned a superior in stage management and will be competing in the Thespys this summer at the International Thespian Festival. Austin began working professionally at the age of 17 and has worked numerous productions that have toured Springfield including the Broadway Tours of Phantom of the Opera and Wicked. He has continued his passion for the theatre by working in local venues in the Springfield regional area. Austin recently completed his degree course of study from Missouri State University with a minor in Theatre.
Austin has been in and around theatre his entire life. He has served as technical director at Kickapoo High School since 2017. Prior to COVID Austin lead the Kickapoo Theatre Tech Team to its first state title in the Missouri State Thespians Tech Team Challenge. The tech students repeated as state champions again after resuming in person events in 2022. The tech teams had success again this year with the tech challenge team winning two state events and third place in another. The makeup design team and the costume design team earned perfect scores and earned superiors. One tech team member earned a superior in stage management and will be competing in the Thespys this summer at the International Thespian Festival. Austin began working professionally at the age of 17 and has worked numerous productions that have toured Springfield including the Broadway Tours of Phantom of the Opera and Wicked. He has continued his passion for the theatre by working in local venues in the Springfield regional area. Austin recently completed his degree course of study from Missouri State University with a minor in Theatre.
Sydney Dean - Choreographer/Assistant Director
Sydney teaches in the ELA Department at Kickapoo and has served as the theatre choreographer and assistant director since 2019.
Sydney teaches in the ELA Department at Kickapoo and has served as the theatre choreographer and assistant director since 2019.
