Luanda de Hilster has been selected as the Assistant Director for the University of Central Oklahoma’s spring 2025 production of City of Angels, running February 20–23 at the UCO Jazz Lab. This marks her first time stepping into a directing role—an opportunity rarely offered to sophomores in the Musical Theatre program.
Stepping Behind the Table
Luanda will be working alongside director Billie Thrash, a well‑known figure in the Oklahoma City theatre community with directing and choreography credits across regional companies and national venues. Musical Theatre majors typically take directing in their senior year, making this early invitation a standout moment in Luanda’s training.
A Busy Season of Growth
Alongside her assistant directing duties, Luanda continues performing as Bailey in Oklahoma City’s Polar Express Train experience through December 29, 2024, while juggling acting, musical theatre, and advanced dance coursework at UCO.
About City of Angels
The musical blends 1940s Hollywood glamour with a gritty detective story, using a clever split‑stage design and a jazz‑infused Cy Coleman score. It’s a witty, stylized homage to film noir and classic storytelling—an exciting project for Luanda’s first directing experience.
