Northview Elementary star shines bright in professional Kansas City stage debut

DECEMBER 3, 2025

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- A Northview Elementary fifth grader is shining bright on the professional stage.

Ten-year-old Marlowe Sprenger of North Kansas City Schools has landed the iconic role of Tiny Tim in the Kansas City Repertory Theatre's perennial production of A Christmas Carol.

“It's an honor to land the role, and I'm very excited about it,” Marlowe said.

This isn't just a big win for the young performer, but an exciting moment for the school district, celebrating a student whose commitment to excellence, whether on stage or in the classroom, can lead to major accomplishments.

“The thing you notice is just how confident she is,” Marlowe’s music teacher, Chacey Steen-Rush, said. “In just speaking, in interacting with her peers, interacting with adults... she is just a really confident person."

Outside of the classroom, Marlowe honed her acting abilities at the Ibsen Dance Studio, which made her a "true standout" in a highly competitive field. KCRep Associate Artistic Director Jason Chanos praised the young star's qualities.

"Her authenticity, poise and bright spirit lit up the room. She captures the heart of this story in such a genuine way,” he said.

Her debut season will also be one for the history books. Marlowe will share the stage with Kansas City theater legend Gary Neal Johnson, who is taking his final bow as Ebenezer Scrooge after 25 seasons.

Chanos noted the symbolic significance of the pairing.

"Marlowe’s first season alongside Gary’s last feels like the perfect reflection of what this production has always represented: legacy, renewal and the enduring power of hope,” he adds.

North Kansas City Schools is extremely proud to see one of their own embody the future of the city's arts scene.

"She gets to play a character that is in everybody's heart around the holiday season,” Marlowe’s fifth grade teacher, Jordyn Cox, said. “That, too, I just think is really special.”

About Northview Elementary

Northview Elementary, established in 1999, provides K-5 education guided by the mission: "Share kindness, build your brain, serve your community." The school fosters every child's fullest potential through a strong partnership between staff, parents, and students. This is achieved by delivering quality instruction within a safe and supportive learning environment.

Media Contact

Chris Oberholtz, Assistant Director of Media Communications
chris.oberholtz@nkcschools.org | 816-836-9384