Encountering movie crews is becoming a more frequent phenomenon in Kansas City. As of Sept. 17, more than 15 film and television projects are currently in production with Kansas City locations, including “Ted Lasso” and Hallmark’s newest holiday film, “A Grand Ole Opry Christmas.”
The city is seeing an uptick in film production for several reasons.
In July 2023, Missouri legislators passed the Show MO Act, offering tax incentives to spur production in the state. Combined with additional incentives from the city of Kansas City, film producers receive a tax break of 12% or more for eligible expenses, the highest in the nation.
When the bill was passed, former Missouri Gov. Mike Parson noted that many college students graduate with film or media production degrees but leave the state to find work. Parson hoped the bill would change that, and early signs suggest it may be having an effect.
One of Missouri’s most famous Hollywood stars, Jason Sudeikis, who stars in the Emmy-winning show “Ted Lasso,” has begun filming in Kansas City. Sudeikis attended Rockhurst Prep, and his uncle, the late George Wendt, known for his role on “Cheers,” is a Rockhurst University alumnus.
Sudeikis returned to Kansas City this summer for filming at popular Kansas City locations: Country Club Plaza, Gates BBQ and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Stadium, home of the Kansas City Current.
Hallmark has also arrived in Kansas City with “A Grand Ole Opry Christmas,” a time-traveling holiday story that celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Grand Ole Opry, the historic Nashville music venue widely considered the home of country music.
Filming for “A Grand Ole Opry Christmas” began in late August at iconic Nashville sites, and crews recently transformed Kansas City’s Crestwood Shops in Brookside into a Christmas wonderland.
Rockhurst student, Isabella Wiltfong, happened to witness the transformation firsthand.
“At first I thought the Crestwood shops were just decorating for Christmas a little early in the year,” Wiltfong said. “Then I noticed the camera crews and the streets being blocked off.”
After noticing the holiday displays and streets closed for filming, Wiltfong learned that Hallmark was filming its movie at the Crestwood Shops. “It was exciting to realize that a place I run by every day will soon be featured on screen for everyone to see,” Wiltfong said.
Hallmark is not a stranger to Kansas City though, as in 2023 they visited in filming “Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story.”
Several scenes were shot on Independence Square in Kansas City, including at The Keeping Room, an antique store with ties to Rockhurst. The shop was founded by Barbara and Bill Hart, both Rockhurst graduates, and later run with their daughters, Annie and Tess Hart, also Rockhurst graduates.
In an interview with Rockhurst, Annie expressed her excitement at being a part of the movie.
“Holiday Touchdown will be extra special for us to watch knowing that our family and our hometown are part of something that so many other families will enjoy during the Christmas season,” Annie said.
Beyond personal connections, the presence of major productions such as “Ted Lasso” and Hallmark’s holiday films have tangible benefits for current Rockhurst students and recent graduates.
To qualify for Missouri’s tax incentives, productions must meet specific requirements — including minimum qualifying expenses ($50,000 for shorter projects, $100,000 for longer ones), employing two to eight Missouri-based apprentices or veterans, hiring Kansas City residents for crew roles and providing student shadowing opportunities.
Studios can earn additional tax credits by filming in rural or blighted areas, highlighting Missouri locations in the script, or ensuring at least half the project is filmed in the state.
Those requirements mean more than financial breaks for studios — they translate directly into opportunities for Missouri students.
Rockhurst students interested in media, production, or sports management could find themselves interning on set, shadowing professionals, or even working on the crews of major films and television shows.
With season four of “Ted Lasso” expected to release in 2026 and “A Grand Ole Opry Christmas” set to debut later this year, Kansas City continues to step into the spotlight — and Rockhurst students may soon see their own names connected to the credits.
