February 19, 2026
For Immediate Release
Office of Public Information
Crowder College
RE: Crowder Theatre upcoming production “They Promised her the Moon”
Neosho, MO – Crowder College Theatre department presents They Promised Her the Moon, written by Laurel Ollstein, March 6-7, 7pm nightly, March 8, 2pm, in the Elsie Plaster Community Center on the Neosho campus. Tickets available at the door: General Admission – $12; Senior Citizens (age 65+) – $10; Children (ages 12 and under) – $8.
The first American woman to test for space flight, Jerrie Cobb, steps into an isolation tank for a record-breaking nine hours as her memories unfold before her, from learning to fly a plane as a child in Oklahoma to testifying in Congressional hearings about the under-the-radar all-female Mercury 13 space program. They Promised Her the Moon is a compelling drama about the challenges of sisterhood and fighting for the greater good, based on a true story.
“I chose this show for our season because Jerrie Cobb is from Oklahoma, and Neosho has a rich history of contribution to the space race,” Annie Smith, Theatre Department Director said. “The students have worked very hard to bring this story to life. It’s a rich history highlighting often unknown elements of the impact of women in flight and space travel.”
The production is directed by Annie Smith, Theatre Department Director. Cast list is as follows:
Jerrie Cobb – Angela Carter (Fairview)
Dr. Lovelace – Patrick Gribben (Joplin)
Jackie Cochran – Alisha Bailey (Carthage)
Harvey, Congressman Anfuso – Jacob Herring (Oakdale, CA)
Jack – Dalton Cobb (Neosho)
Helena – Rachel Carter (Fairview)
Mrs. White, Reporter – Becca Gribben (Joplin)
Child 1, Pilot, Photographer – Emma Baker (Carthage)
Child 2, Mayor’s wife, Reporter – Elizabeth Holly (Sarcoxie)
Reporter, Young woman – Hannah Graves (Carthage)
Circus Bob, C. Waggoner, Reporter – Sean Henson (Neosho)
John Glenn – Kayden Bruneau (Goodman)
Carlos – Victor Costa (Sao Paulo, Brazil)
Reporter, Russian Launch Voice – Aaron Kocurek (Neosho)
Reporter – Leanna Moore (Purdy)
Tech Crew and Production Staff is as follows:
Set & Project Design – Monty Pugh-Towe
Lights, Sound, Audio & Video – Stephen Evans
Costume Design – Tori Cobb
Run Crew – Sunny Tate, Boanerges Pastor-Bonilla
Stage Manager – Bekah Erwin
Crowder Theatre will host Student Showcases April 30 & May 1, 7pm to wrap up the spring semester. Summer production of Charlotte’s Web will be June 12-13, 7pm, June 14, 2pm.
For more information on the Theatre Department, please email: AnnieSmith@Crowder.edu
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Attached is a show poster.
Please contact my office if you have additional questions. CindyBrown@Crowder.edu
