The 麻豆传媒 City University School of Theatre has signed a national award-winning stage director to serve as an adjunct professor and guest director.
Leslie Swackhamer, whose professional experience includes directing opera and theatre productions across the U.S., will begin her new role at OKCU by directing the mainstage production of 鈥淭he House of Atreus: Part One鈥� in March. Swackhamer will also teach theatre-directing master麻豆传媒 and mentor students.
鈥淚'm very committed to mentoring tomorrow's generation of theatre artists,鈥� Swackhamer said. 鈥淭hey give me so much energy and joy in our process together, and it鈥檚 a privilege to help launch their careers. I have been so impressed with the entire theatre program at OKCU 鈥� from stage management, design and production to my actors. These students are talented, and are receiving excellent training.鈥�
Swackhamer added that she is looking forward to seeing 鈥淭he House of Atreus鈥� come to fruition.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not often that theaters tackle the ancient Greek plays that are really the foundation of our art form. This fresh adaptation, by OKCU faculty member Lance Marsh, taps into the original power of the pieces, and is really eloquent in displaying why these plays are still so relevant to the human condition. I'm excited to start rehearsing and bring these plays to life,鈥� she said.
Swackhamer most recently developed the opera 鈥淢adame Butterfly鈥� for the Washington National Opera, which will stage in May.
She serves as executive director of the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize, the oldest and largest international prize specifically recognizing women playwrights. She is also a founder of the Women Playwright's Festival in Seattle. She has workshopped, directed, dramaturged or produced more than 100 new works at theatre and opera companies across America.
Her previous teaching experience includes the University of Washington, University of Texas, University of Southern California and others. She holds a bachelor鈥檚 degree in history from Emory University, a Master of Fine Arts in theatre from the University of Washington and a juris doctor degree from George Washington University. 鈥淚t is a clear measure of the quality and prestige of OKCU School of Theatre that we are able to attract to our faculty such a renowned and acclaimed artist as Leslie Swackhamer,鈥� said Brian Parsons, associate dean of the School of Theatre. 鈥淚 am delighted that our students, faculty and staff have this opportunity to collaborate with this leading light of the American stage.鈥�
