Students of The Weitzenhoffer Department of Musical Theatre at the University of Oklahoma have the opportunity to work with outstanding industry guest clinicians. Recent visitors to our program include:
RECENT GUEST DIRECTORS
Gabriel Barre, The Scarlet Pimpernel (Fall 2007) - award winning director of productions such as Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party, the national tours of Pippin, and Roger and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Prior to his directing career, Barre was a Tony Award-nominated actor for Starmites as well as a television actor appearing in shows such as “Law and Order” and “Kate and Allie.”
Wayne Bryan, Once Upon a Mattress (Fall 2006) - producing director of the Music Theatre of Wichita for over twenty years with shows including Hairspray, High School Musical, The Full Monty, Beauty and the Beast, Aida, Oklahoma!, Ragtime, and Funny Girl among many others.
Jeff McCarthy, Urinetown (Fall 2005) - well-known actor originating the role of Officer Lockstock in Broadway’s Urinetown. His Broadway career includes roles in Beauty and the Beast, Sideshow, Les Misérables, The Pirate Queen and Three Sisters. His television appearances include “Law and Order,” “Star Trek,” “LA Law” and “Cheers.” He has also appeared in films such as Robocop II, Eve of Destruction and Cliffhanger.
Nick Demos, Assassins (Fall 2004) - artistic director of the Lyric Theatre in Oklahoma City. As director and choreographer he has worked on over 25 Lyric productions including Chicago and this year’s record breaking High School Musical. He is also a frequent guest director at Stage One in Kansas and directed and choreographed the world premiere of Kids in America in New York City.
RECENT VISITING
CLINICIANS & WORKSHOPS
Neil Bartram - musical composer for CanStage including The Story of My Life, Larry’s Party, Festival of Ideas and Creation and Clara’s Piano.
John Bucchino - songwriter for Urban Myths, Lavender Girl, It’s Only Life and A Catered Affair for the stage as well as for the Dreamworks film Joseph, King of Dreams.
Mark Bramble, Billy Stritch, Lily & Lily (world premiere) (Spring 2001) - collaborators on the lyrics and music and book of Lily & Lily. Bramble is a twice Tony-nominated lyricist working on books for such musicals as 42nd Street and Barnum. Stritch is a well-known singer and songwriter who as worked on such Broadway musicals as 42nd Street, The Life, and Something Good. He is also an accomplished jazz pianist; his latest CD In Dreams is a collaboration with Christine Ebersole. This event was in collaboration with the world renowned Goodspeed Opera.
Victoria Clark - Tony Award-winning actress for The Light in the Piazza. Other Broadway credits include, Sunday in the Park with George, A Grand Night for Singing, Titanic, Urinetown, and the revivals of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, Guys and Dolls and Cabaret.
Dave Clemmons - director of Dave Clemmons Casting responsible for casting Broadway shows such as Dracula, The Musical, Ring of Fire, In My Life and Brooklyn.
Melissa Hart - Tony Award-nominated Broadway actress in musicals such as Candide, The Scarlet Pimpernel, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Apple Tree, and Gregory. Her off-Broadway successes include Radio Gals, Cat’s Paw and Tock Tick.
Brian Hill - director and associate director for Canada’s Stratford Festival productions of Patience, Man of La Mancha, and Fiddler on the Roof as well as national tours of Sunset Boulevard and The Sound of Music.
Toby Keith - renowned country music singer and producer of 14 albums and 13 No. 1 singles including “Shoulda Been a Cowboy.”
Randy Skinner - two-time Tony Award-nominated choreographer of such Broadway shows as 42nd Street, State Fair and Ain’t Broadway Grand.
Steven Suskin - noted author and Broadway Manager for productions such as Amadeus, Raisin, Shenandoah, Best Little Whorehouse in Texas and Singin’ in the Rain.
Jeanine Tesori - Tony-nominated composer of scores for Twelfth Night, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Caroline, or Change. New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Violet, her first off-Broadway musical. Composer of film scores for Winds of Change, Show Business, and Wrestling with Angels.