RENT

Maurissa, who was last seen in Little Women as Beth, is thrilled to be back at MTH!! Credits include NEWSIES and DREAMGIRLS at THE NEW THEATRE, HEATHERS (heather duke) at FAUST THEATRE, BLAZING BOOTS and BROADWAY CABARET (lead vocalist) on NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINES and Maurissa just recently obtained their BFA in musical theatre at Wichita State University. You can keep up with them on instagram @maurissa_sings 🙂

Jazlyn Epps is a Kansas City–based singer, songwriter, and actor. She is thrilled to play Mimi Marquez in RENT here at Musical Theatre Heritage, with recent credits including Hip Hop Cinderella (KC Black Rep), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (MTKC) and Dreamgirls (New Theatre). A graduate of Avila University, Jazlyn also writes and performs original R&B/Pop music all over the Kansas City Metro area.

Malik Hughes is thrilled to be back at MTH after appearing in Carousel. Other credits include Little Shop of Horrors (CTI), Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (The Barn Players), and featured vocalist in Unbreakable (HMKC). He is overjoyed to be part of this powerful production and grateful to share this story. Much love to the cast, crew, and his family and friends for their endless love and support. @malikhughes

TAYLOR JENNINGS is a Kansas City native and University of Central Missouri alumni. MTH CREDITS: Featured vocalist in Musical Monday and Tuesday: Tony Awards, Musical Monday and Tuesday: We Will Rock You. OTHER CREDITS: Cheryl in Evil Dead the Musical (Egads! Theater), Martha in Spring Awakening (Home Grown Theater Company), Ulla in The Producers (Slightly Off-Broadway Theater). Taylor is also a vocalist and emcee for Patrick Lentz Entertainment (The Patrick Lentz Band and KC Flo). She was also the rock band singer for Sweet Emoceans and featured vocalist for America Rocks onboard The Carnival Ecstasy 2019-2020. @tay.ann.jenn

Jackie is thrilled to be making her Kansas City debut at MTH, after a 5 year hiatus! BFA in Musical Theatre at Cal State Fullerton, lived in New York City for 10+ years as an actor touring with numerous Broadway shows: Miss Saigon, Hair, How The Grinch Stole Christmas, My Fair Lady, and more. Owner and founder of Café Cà Phê, Kansas City’s first Vietnamese coffeeshop, Jackie has fused her acting into her newfound role of entrepreneur by public speaking nationally about diversity, social media marketing, and championing our Asian American community in the Midwest. For mom, Li Xi, CCP/HGD fam, and Frank. Follow @cafecaphe and @hellagooddeeds for more.

Austin Ragusin (he/him/his) Local: School of Rock (Starlight Theatre); Hair, Oklahoma!, CATS 2018 (Music Theatre Heritage); Once the Musical, Six Dance Lessons…, Two Gentlemen of Verona (Roxy’s Downtown); Newsies (New Theater Restaurant); Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (Music Theater Kansas City Pro); Wedding Singer (Crown Arts Collaborative) @AustinRagusin

Live Entertainment (performer) – Cedar Point, Worlds of Fun, Kings Island. RWS Entertainment. Ruby Rooms.

Brian Vaughn is an educator, musician and singer from Kansas City, MO making a return to the world of performing musical theater after an absence spent educating K-5 music in Columbia, MO and Lee’s Summit, MO. A celebrated trombonist, Brian has performed with Collegiate Shag Brass Band, Columbia Jazz Orchestra, Lee’s Summit Jazz Orchestra, The Missouri Symphony, Mid America Freedom Band, and various churches and pit orchestras in the Missouri area. Brian was the Interim Education Director for MTH’s youth summer camps in 2023. Brian has appeared in MTH productions, such as GODSPELL, PORGY & BESS, and RUBY ROOM: BROTHERLY LOVE.

Nsikoh (See-Ko) is a professional musician originally from Cameroon. He has built a solid foundation on the music scene in Kansas City in different genres of music with multiple artists. He has performed with the likes of Lonnie McFadden, Son of Venezuela, Ernesto Hodison, Desmond Mason, Chalis O’Neal, The Reyes Bros, and more. Banker by day and musician at night, Nsikoh is building a new network this time as a public speaker while pursuing his Bachelor in Business Administration.

Coming soon…

Julian Goff is a versatile drummer known for his dynamic contributions across multiple genres. With a career spanning over two decades, Julian’s technical precision and unique groove have made him one of the region’s most sought-after musicians. Most recently he has taken on the role of band leader, Musical Directing the Black Repertory Theater’s premier production of MEMPHIS and AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ in 2018. You can find him leading his own funk/fusion quartet, ELEFUNK, at The 1909 Club, in Lees Summit, MO.