Lucille Elizabeth (Beth) Leonard, Raytown High School, Class of 1968

With a true calling to the stage in her “roles” as a professional actor, teacher and director, Lucille Elizabeth (Beth) Leonard has represented Raytown well in her profession.

Currently the Dean of the School of Performing Arts and the chair of the Stephens College Theatre Department, Beth has been a teacher at the University of Kansas, South Oklahoma City Junior College, the University of Missouri-Kansas City, Central Missouri Sate University (now UCM), Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa, and Rockhurst University.

Beth holds a BS from KU, a Masters in Theatre from UCM, and a Masters of Fine Arts from UMKC. Since 1998, Beth has also been the Artistic Director for the Okoboji Summer Theatre in Spirit Lake , Iowa .

As a director, Beth's credits cover a wide variety of plays including Fiddler on the Roof, Steel Magnolias, Harvey , Dark of the Moon, Pride and Prejudice, Driving Miss Daisy, and The Trip to Bountiful .

As an actor, Beth's has appeared in Nicholas Nicklelby, Life With Father, Medea, Brighton Beach Memoirs, See How They Run, Animal Farm, The Odd Couple, and Hello, Dolly.

 Beth has been honored with the Distinguished Teaching Award from Stephens College , and the Distinguished Alumni Award from UCM. Additionally, she was the winner of the Denver University 's Play Festival.

She is a member of PEO and the Raytown Christian Church.