KC Star Editorial Celebrates 12 Years of Partnership Between KCAI and The Coterie
05.05.2026
KCAI has long worked with The Coterie Theatre through MICRO, a student-led agency based in the Illustration Department.
MICRO brings together students from multiple disciplines to collaborate on high-quality work, giving them real-world experience with professional clients.
In a recent featured editorial for The Kansas City Star, columnist Toriano Porter shared his experience attending the unveiling of The Coterie Theatre’s upcoming production season.
What began as a casual afternoon for Porter turned into a glowing tribute to the power of KCAI’s Sponsored Studio program and the "jaw-dropping" talent of its student artists, as evidenced by the posters created through the partnership with the Coterie.
Student Spotlight: Gabby Reynolds (‘26 Illustration)
Among the students featured was Gabby Reynolds, a senior Illustration major. Her nostalgic designs for The Coterie productions of The Gingerbread Kid and Kidtropolis caught Porter’s eye, leading to a deeper look into the creative process at KCAI.
Gabby spoke about tapping into her own childhood imagination to create her works. For The Gingerbread Kid, she described adding her own "sugary twist" to a modern fairy tale. For Kidtropolis, she explored the whimsical concept of a world ruled by children.
Sponsored Studio
MICRO is closely tied to KCAI’s Sponsored Studio program, connecting business partners with students to tackle research, creative communication, and real-world challenges. This hands-on experience gives students valuable preparation for professional careers.
Operating as a full-service agency, MICRO builds lasting relationships with clients while giving students the opportunity to create high-quality work, collaborate directly with partners, meet deadlines, and present their ideas. It’s not just about making art. It’s about building meaningful connections in and beyond the classroom.
We are incredibly proud of Gabby and all the MICRO students whose work was front and center at the April 19 ceremony and seeing our students' posters at Crown Center is a wonderful example of how KCAI allows for creativity to meet the community.