UMSL SUCCEED student Grayson Jostes has a role in “The Rocky Horror Show” at the Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL.
Among the University of Missouri–St. Louis students performing in “The Rocky Horror Show” at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center is Grayson Jostes, who came to UMSL this semester as part of SUCCEED, a post-secondary program for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
He’s taking on the role of Dr. Everett C. Scott. While, Jostes is new to college theater, he has been performing onstage now for years.
“It all started when I saw ‘The Lion King’ at The Fabulous Fox Theatre as a kid,” Jostes said. “Afterward I thought to myself, ‘Man I want to do that. I want to do theater.’”
After a middle school talent show came middle school theater productions followed by more stage acting in high school. Most recently before coming to UMSL, Jostes was active in the Young People’s Theatre at St. Charles Community College. Though he hasn’t been the star of every production – he’s portrayed his fair share of reporters, servants and clouds – he’s always taken his parts seriously and is incredibly excited to be at the next level, doing college theater.
“This is my first time being in the Touhill. The Lee Theater really has a really cool, modern look,” Jostes said.
Like Jostes, the SUCCEED program itself is new to UMSL. The postsecondary program is for students 18-25 years old with intellectual and developmental disabilities. It aims to prepare participants to live and work independently in their community. Over the course of the two-year program, SUCCEED students live in Oak Hall, complete required coursework, engage in career development and participate in internships on and off campus.
“The Rocky Horror Show” will get underway with a show at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 10 in the E. Desmond and Mary Ann Lee Theater at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center at UMSL. There will be an evening performance at 7:30 p.m. on Oct 11. That will be followed by two shows on Oct. 12: a 2 p.m. matinee and an evening show at 7:30 p.m. The play will wrap with a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Oct. 13.
To watch a video of UMSL SUCCEED student Grayson Jostes talking about his love of the theater click here or on the video below.
