Our Mission

Core Values

History

We believe engagement in live theatre can change the world and provide opportunities for early-career actors

Our core values are: Understanding, Opportunity, Passion & Engagement

Understanding

Contribute to inclusive change through understanding and learning about others by living in someone else’s shoes via live theatre. 

Opportunity

Change the world through shared audience experiences. 

Provide opportunity for early-career actors in what may be their first paid acting role.

Passion & Engagement

Engaging diverse audiences and creating a passion for live theatre and social change.

The goals of Cyclopedic Ensemble are

  • to bring theatre to new audiences and create a learning experience built around those productions,

  • to hire a diverse group of early-career actors and theatre technicians to gain additional professional experience and build their resumes.

History

When Cyclopedic Ensemble was first created, the entire mission was to build upon Eric Yazell’s accomplished work, in bringing Children’s Theatre to as many new audiences as possible. At State Fair Community College (SFCC) he was able to direct, and present children’s shows every year that brought thousands of elementary school students joy. Because SFCC was located in a rural region of Missouri, this was often the first time many children had ever seen a live, quality theatrical production.

After retiring from teaching, Eric decided to create a group that would continue the tradition he had built for many years. Several of his former students and his wife created “Cyclopedic Ensemble”, a non-profit organization.

Cyclopedic Ensemble’s first production was in July, 2022. As part of the KC Fringe Fest, we produced The Stinky Cheese Man and other Fair(ly) (stoopid) Tales on City Stage in Kansas City’s Union Station. Our production, directed by Eric Yazell, won KC Fringe Best of City Stage”. Our second production, Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience was produced in the 2023 KC Fringe Fest. In 2024 we produced Dragons Love Tacos in June, Romantic Fools as part of the KC Fringe Fest and Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors in Oct-Nov.

Partnerships allow us to produce in both the KC Fringe Festival and at The Arts Asylum.

Meet our Artistic Director, Eric Yazell

Eric Yazell retired in May 2020 as the Theatre Program Coordinator at State Fair Community College; he began this role in 2000 and during this time established Children's Theatre for 4500 students a year. After retirement, Eric worked as a Creative for the Apple store in Leawood, KS.

Eric has directed over 75 plays and musicals including Over the River and Through the Woods, Urinetown, Young Frankenstien, All My Sons, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Biloxi Blues, She Kills Monsters, Noises Off, Women Playing Hamlet, Honus and Me, and Night of the Living Dead Live. He also loves theatre for youth productions directing Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience, U:BUG:ME, How I Became a Pirate, The True Story of Three Little Pigs, and many others.

Eric graduated from State Fair Community College (SFCC) in 1988. At the University of Central Missouri he earned bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication and a Master of Arts Degree in Theatre. He began his teaching career in 1992 as a Speech & Theatre Instructor at Crowder College in Neosho, Missouri.

Eric has received multiple awards and commendations including: Best Alumni Awards from UCM and SFCC; many Kennedy Center American Commendation Awards for Comic Direction, Sound Design and Dragon Design; Speech and Theatre Association of Missouri Hall of Fame Award and Loren Reid Service Award; and

Eric has directed Dracula, A Comedy of Terrors; Romantic Fools; Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed, the Rock Experience; and The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fair[l]y [Stoopid] Tales for Cyclopedic Ensemble.