For ×ö°®ÊÓƵ grad Lance Morlock ‘22, the stage has been more than a space for performance — it’s been a place of connection, storytelling, and healing.
That truth resonated deeply for Lance as he designed costumes for ’s a musical he holds very near to his heart.
ln 2016, while Lance was in high school, his father, Paul, a 1986 graduate and former Concordia wrestler, passed away from colon cancer. About a month later, Lance vividly remembers attending Concordia’s production of “Big Fish,” a musical about the bond between a son and father facing a terminal diagnosis.
“Seeing the show just weeks after my dad’s passing was a moment I’ll never forget,” he said.
Years later, Lance became a transfer student at ×ö°®ÊÓƵ as a sophomore, majoring in communication studies and minoring in business.
“Being a transfer student can be an incredibly scary feat. ... However, when I got to Concordia, I immediately knew I had made the right decision. My advisor Cindy Larson-Casselton was pivotal in my success at Concordia. After transferring I was quite lost on what career path I wanted to take,” he said. “She recommended me to the communication studies department and assisted me in finding the groups on campus that would help me to ensure my success at Concordia. Within a short time span, I was enrolled in choir, auditioning for the fall musical, and a part of the Campus Events Commission.”
Concordia’s theatre program has played a pivotal role in Lance’s journey to costuming design. He performed in “,” “,” and “.”
Each one sharpened his craft and fueled his passion.
When he was a senior, he played the witch in “Into the Woods,” where he had the opportunity to collaborate with Concordia’s costume designer, Katie Curry.
“I loved every step of the process, from seeing Curry’s design, to fittings, and then watching the piece come to life. I was inspired by the process of creating costumes from the ground up,” he recalled. “Costumes play an incredibly large role in the storytelling of any theatrical production. While I love being an actor in musicals, there is something extremely special about being behind the scenes and getting to help make the magic. It is a fascinating job to get to work alongside incredible actors and bring these characters to life.”
Designing costumes for “Big Fish” was a full-circle moment for Lance, whose work honors both his father’s legacy and the lessons he learned at Concordia.
For him, every seam and stitch tells a story.
“One part of my dad’s life that he loved and spoke fondly of was his time at Concordia. Although he wasn’t here to see the day I graduated, I know he would have loved that I found my way home to Concordia,” Lance said.
His costume designs can be seen in Moorhead High School’s Nov. 26, 29, and 30 at the Horizon Performing Arts Center.
Tickets can be purchased .
