Professional stage performers Melia (Dell) Jones and Kevin Jones will perform in “Broadway Showstoppers” at McPherson College as part of the Fern Lingenfelter Artist Series on Friday, October 20 at 7:30 p.m. in Mingenback Theatre. Admission to the performance is free. Melia is a 1992 McPherson College graduate, earning a bachelor’s degree in music/vocal performance.
Melia and her husband, Kevin, own and operate the Kevin Jones Performing Arts Studio, where they also host summer theater camps and workshops. Melia worked professionally as a singer, dancer, and actor in theater, film, commercials, and print. She has also worked on the technical side as a director, choreographer, stage manager, graphic artist, scenic artist, muralist, costumer, dresser, and stitcher. For the past 18 years, she homeschooled their two children, who are now pursuing their own careers in musical theater and linguistics.
Kevin has spent over 30 years in professional theater as an actor, musical director, director, and choreographer. His credits include the Broadway national tours of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast,” the Asian tour of “Annie,” the European tour of “Annie Get Your Gun,” three productions of “Evita,” and two productions of “Phantom of the Opera.” He currently serves as musical supervisor for Oceania Cruise Lines. As a vocal and acting coach, he has mentored hundreds of actors into Broadway shows, national tours, regional theater productions, film, and television shows. The couple splits their time between New York City, Tampa, and Myrtle Beach.
While at McPherson College, the couple will conduct a masterclass for high school students hosted by the college’s theatre department. Additionally, as part of the McPherson College Homecoming “Fine Arts Showcase,” a faculty and staff art exhibit reception will be held Friday, October 20, at 3 p.m. in Brown Auditorium’s Friendship Hall; a fine arts reunion and reception are scheduled for Saturday, October 21, at 6 p.m. in Mingenback Theatre; and the McPherson College Choir will host a concert at the McPherson Church of the Brethren at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 22.
Admission to the Lingenfelter concert is free thanks to a generous commitment to McPherson College honoring Fern Lingenfelter. Lingenfelter, an alumna of McPherson College, taught piano in McPherson for many years to college students on campus and younger students at her studio downtown. Her son, Steve Clark, chairman of Clark Investment Group of Wichita, established the fund that supports two annual music performance events with particular emphasis on piano.