It was announced this week that Sara Given is the University of Central Missouri- 2025 Ed See Outstanding Theatre Alumnus award.
Given says the award is named after her former professor at UCM.
On April 12, 2025, UCM Theatre and Dance will honor Sara Given as the 2025 Ed See Outstanding Theatre Alumnus. Ed See, Ph.D., established the award through the UCM Alumni Foundation upon his retirement from UCM.
The purpose of the endowment is to honor UCM Theatre alumni who have distinguished themselves in theatre education, community theatre or professional theatre and have demonstrated commitment and love for the theatre arts. The award recognizes alumni who have honored their alma mater through their dedication and theatrical achievements.
Given received a Bachelor of Science in Speech Communication and Theatre Education from Central Missouri State University and a Master of Education in Educational Administration from William Woods University. She retired in 2024 after a 30-year career at Mexico High School.
At MHS, Given was the head coach of the speech and debate team, coaching students to the MSHSAA State competition all 30 years, as well as coaching 11 national-qualifying competitors and three Academic All-American students with the National Speech & Debate Association (NSDA).
She directed more than 80 mainstage plays, musicals, one-acts and readers’ theatre productions.
She was also an adjunct instructor at Moberly Area Community College (MACC) and William Woods University for several years.
In 2012, she founded the Jellybean Speech Festival, a performance event that allows students with special needs to share their gifts. By 2019, Missouri had four Jellybean Festival sites.
The program stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Given’s goal is to revive the program through her work at the Presser Arts Center and Audrain Developmental Disabilities Services.
In addition to being a Double-Diamond Coach for the NSDA, Given has received numerous awards, including 2012 Mexico Area Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year, 2013 and 2014 Special Olympics Exceptional Believer Award, 2015 Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Teaching and Innovation Award, 2016 NSDA Director’s Commendation, 2016 MSHSAA Speech and Debate Coach of the Year, 2015-16 NFHS Outstanding Speech, Debate and Theatre Educator, and 2020-21 MACC Adjunct Instructor Excellence in Teaching Award.
Given is married to Robert Given and is the mother of Riley Given and the stepmother of Cole Given.