Musical Theatre Major Finds Her Second Home on Stage at UCM
By Alex Greenwood,
December 8, 2025
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Musical Theatre major Rosalyn Schuster will graduate with her bachelor鈥檚 degree during
Fall 2025 Commencement.
Countdown to Commencement
The 欧美视频 offers a community of support, allowing students
to redefine what鈥檚 possible as they forge a path to their future. With help from faculty
and staff, UCM students are empowered to be the heroes of their own stories and as
we prepare for Fall 2025 Commencement, the News Bureau is shining a spotlight on some
of those stories.
When Musical Theatre major Rosalyn Schuster steps onto the stage at the University
of Central Missouri鈥檚 (UCM) Fall 2025 Commencement, she won鈥檛 just be receiving her
degree. She will serve as the undergraduate commencement speaker for the ceremony
at 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, addressing graduates from the College of Arts,
Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) and the Harmon College of Business and Professional
Studies (HCBPS).
It鈥檚 a fitting role for a student who has spent her UCM career finding her voice both
on and off stage.
The Nixa, Missouri, native began her college journey at Missouri University of Science
and Technology. She liked her coursework at first, but felt repeatedly drawn back
to the arts. After exploring other options, her college search came down to UCM and
Southeast Missouri State University. Campus visits and auditions helped her make the
final decision.
鈥淯CM ended up being the right place for me,鈥� Schuster said. 鈥淭he people here were
so nice and welcoming, and I felt like I would get the most opportunities to be involved.
I also wanted a Digital Media Production minor, and the program here is at a caliber
you do not find many other places.鈥�
Schuster has spent her time at UCM on stage, in rehearsal rooms and in digital media
classrooms. She sang in the university choir for three years, including a performance tour through the Baltics, appeared in multiple
radio plays produced by UCM's campus radio station and served as a community advisor
for University Housing for more than two years.
鈥淚t amounts to a very busy schedule,鈥� she said, 鈥渂ut I have always been able to balance
it and still get as much out of this experience as I can.鈥�
One of her most memorable experiences was the Theatre and Dance program鈥檚 production
of 鈥淐abaret,鈥� where the department transformed the Highlander Theatre into an immersive
performance space and cast Schuster as Sally Bowles.
鈥淚t was a difficult production with heavy material, but the cast, the work we all
put in, and the care we had for that story made it unlike anything I have ever done,鈥�
she said. 鈥淚 do not know if I will ever find another show that felt that important
to all of us at the same time.鈥�
Her choir tour abroad offered another defining moment. She still remembers singing
in centuries-old cathedrals where the acoustics seemed to rise and bloom around the
ensemble.
鈥淢usic has always been a big part of my life,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here is nothing quite as
moving as singing with a group that is all working together to create something beautiful.
Those moments felt transcendent.鈥�
"I absolutely loved working with Rosalyn during her time at UCM. I could always count
on her to be focused, driven and hilarious. I also loved that Rosalyn never seemed
to have the same 鈥榝avorite piece鈥� that we were singing as her peers, which speaks
to her sophisticated taste and curiosity,鈥� said Jackson C. Thomas, D.M.A., director
of Choral Activities. 鈥淩osalyn will be so missed, and I cannot wait to see what path
she carves for herself as someone born for the stage."
Closer to home, the President鈥檚 Gala at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts
stands out as another milestone.
鈥淚 never thought I would be standing on that stage,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t was a long day
of singing, acting and moving between performances, but the space is gorgeous and
the experience is something I would never want to miss.鈥�
Schuster said UCM offers far more opportunities than many people expect, especially
for students from small towns like her own.
鈥淲hen I came here, I thought I would get my degree and do my shows,鈥� she said. 鈥淚
did not expect to go to three foreign countries or take a theatre trip to New York.
I did not expect professional auditions every semester or performances at venues in
Kansas City. The opportunities here are more than I ever imagined.鈥�
鈥淲ithout a doubt, Rosalyn is one of the best theatre students to ever come through
our program,鈥� Miller-Scully said. 鈥淪he has positioned herself to be a multi-faceted
artist. She has taken it upon herself to learn every aspect of theatre, from working
in the scene shop and managing productions to assistant directing, stage managing
and performing lead roles. She truly can do it all.鈥�
Moore said Schuster鈥檚 work ethic and attitude set her apart.
鈥淭he thing I love about Rosalyn is she is fearless,鈥� he said. 鈥淪he is willing to try
new things and challenge herself, and she always seems to do it with a smile. Yes,
she is supremely talented, but it is her attitude that makes her such a joy to teach.鈥�
Life on campus also shaped her experience beyond the stage. Living in the residence
halls and working as a community advisor gave her a strong sense of belonging.
鈥淪ome of my favorite memories are the small moments,鈥� she said. 鈥淎fter an eight-hour
rehearsal on a Saturday, all of us piling into a car to grab dinner together. We were
exhausted, but we loved what we were doing and looked forward to the next thing.鈥�
Schuster believes UCM has prepared her well for the professional world. She describes
her coursework as practical and portfolio-driven, with assignments that translate
directly into materials she can use in auditions and applications.
鈥淚 feel much more prepared than I would have been anywhere else,鈥� she said. 鈥淗ere,
nobody gets lost. You receive individualized attention, and people are always pushing
you toward growth.鈥�
After graduation, Schuster plans to return to southwest Missouri for a year to work
and save before pursuing theatre in Kansas City or exploring film opportunities in
Los Angeles.
Looking back, she knows her younger self would be surprised at how far she has come.
鈥淚 would tell myself it is okay to change your mind,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t is okay to find
the place that fits you. UCM has been a second home for me. This was absolutely the
right choice.鈥�
As she prepares to take the podium as UCM鈥檚 undergraduate commencement speaker, Schuster
hopes to share that message with the Class of 2025 鈥� and encourage future students
to trust the paths that lead them where they are meant to be.
Check the News Bureau daily from Dec. 8-12, as we share stories of UCM graduates who are redefining what鈥檚
possible and shaping the future, one step across the stage at a time.
Fall 2025 Countdown to Commencement
Meet Rosalyn Schuster
When Musical Theatre major Rosalyn Schuster steps onto the stage at the University
of Central Missouri鈥檚 Fall 2025 Commencement, she won鈥檛 just be receiving her degree.
She will serve as the commencement speaker for the Saturday evening ceremony, a fitting
role for a student who has spent her UCM career finding her voice both on and off
stage.
Biology (Pre-Dental) major Carly Youngblood found success in the classroom and on
the softball field at the 欧美视频, all part of her path toward
a career in dentistry.
Criminal Justice major Hadley Oden began her journey at the University of Central
Missouri as an unsure freshman. After experiences as a student ambassador, Mock Trial
team captain and Board of Governors member, she鈥檚 now a confident and poised senior
who鈥檚 going to law school next fall.
Educational Studies major Tristan Satterlee has found a way to combine his passion
for education with his interest in legal studies, all while leaving a legacy at the
欧美视频.
After gaining impactful experiences through internships and faculty support at the
欧美视频, Counseling graduate student Lauryn Paulus is ready
for the next chapter.
