Kaskaskia College Gives Rural Students a Chance to Excel in the Arts New Music, Theatre Professors Bring Life to Programs

New Music, Theatre Professors Bring Life to Programs

Centralia, Ill. (November 12, 2025) - In just a few short years, two Kaskaskia College (KC) professors have transformed the theatre and music programs for students at KC, furthering rural Southern Illinois as a hotbed for the arts. Assistant theatre professor Nathan Young and assistant music professor Cody Paul have given students the chance to explore all aspects of their respective fields, creating a thriving environment at KC and setting students up for the future.

Kaskaskia College aims to provide the best instruction and offer the best tools for students in all departments, KC Provost and VP Instructional Services Julie Obermark said. The arts are no exception, and we've worked really hard over the past few years to improve our music and theatre programs. Students in our area deserve to have outstanding educational opportunities in the arts.

Paul started three years ago, and Young just two, and both have made an instant impact. Kaskaskia College, the KC Board of Trustees, and the two professors led renovations in the music department, designing class and practice rooms for improved sound quality while creating a comfortable space for practicing and recording various types of music. They also led improvements in the theatre department and secured brand-new tools for a better stage craft shop, creating a professional environment with top-notch gear.

Young also ensures his students dip their toes in all the major styles of theatre, while also immersing them in history, stagecraft, and analysis to make sure they get a well-rounded education. From there, they can take that experience on to a four-year school and finish their degree. Paul takes the same approach in music, preparing students for the future by getting them ready for auditions and entry tests.

"We're always bringing new options to the table here," Paul said. "We try to do a plethora of pieces and arrangements for our performances. We've done a combination of jazz, concert, and pop music, and we've done a video game medley arrangement. You might not get to do that at a bigger school. Honestly, we've touched music of all genres from 1200 to 2025. You get to experience such a wide variety here, and because of our smaller class sizes, you can really try anything you want."

Both Paul and Young also select challenging, relevant material for their students to learn. Neither shy away from the classics or advanced content.

"I'll have people ask me, You're really doing a full Shakespeare play at a community college? Of course I am, and the students did really well with it," Young said. "Some people have genuinely thanked me for doing proper theatre with this program. Some four years don't even do Shakespeare."

Since class sizes are smaller at Kaskaskia College, students have the chance to play a major role in a production or to play the jazz solo they've always wanted to attempt at a concert. The opportunities for students to perform in the spots they want are abundant in the programs, highlighting a true advantage of KC. Kaskaskia College also invites people from the community to try out for their productions.

Both departments are hosting big performances throughout the year, including some upcoming shows during the fall and winter. The Kaskaskia College theatre department will perform a one-act comedy double feature, including the Blind Date by Horton Foote, and Anton Chekov's The Marriage Proposal at the Jane Knight Auditorium at KC. The performances will be on Nov. 21, 22, and 23 at 7 p.m. each night. There will also be a Saturday matinee at 3 p.m. on Nov. 22. Tickets are available here.

The music departments' combined Christmas concert with chorale and music instrumental students will be at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Jane Knight Auditorium.