Best Local Theater Directors In DFW
As a playwright of 30 years, Isabella Russell-Ides has worked with and seen some of the best directors and actors in the Dallas theater scene.
"The Dallas theatre scene is incredibly vibrant. We have a wonderful community that supports new works. There are many companies that are willing to take the risk. That is rare. There are so many theaters in Dallas. It is a feast here. We have the whole spectrum here with the classics like Cabaret and innovative surprise pieces like Matthew Posey's Kabuki theater works," Russell-Ides. Russell-Ides works with student directors at Southern Methodist University to inspire and cultivate the theatre arts in Dallas. These student directors are mentored by Will Power a playwright in residence at the Dallas Theater Center. They will start to hone their craft at the Bishop Arts Theater Center.
"That cross-pollination is pretty amazing," said Russell-Ides. "The mentoring of baby directors is what gives us the best directors later on."
René Moreno
Contemporary Theatre of Dallas
5601 Sears St.
Dallas, TX 75206
(214) 828-0094
www.contemporarytheatreofdallas.com
René Moreno is considered a director-for-hire and works the classics. He is known for "Night of the Iguana" at the Contemporary Theatre of Dallas and "August: Osage County" at WaterTower Theatre. This director is always in demand because he knows who to deliver exquisite performances and has the ability to create visionary plays that always wow the crowd. His newest show "Angels Fall" is sure to be an intriguing event. The play encompasses the lives of people in a small town and their involvement with a mission church in New Mexico.
Dallas, TX 75201
(214) 880-0202
www.attpac.orgJoel Ferrell is the man to go to for musicals. Ferrell is best known for his musical production of Cabaret. This outstanding production had members of the audience interacting with the actors in a very intense musical. It was superbly acted, choreographed and directed.
Matthew Posey
The Ochre House
825 Exposition Ave.
Dallas, TX 75226
(214) 826-6273
www.ochrehousetheater.com
Posey writes and stars in his own plays. His theater, Ochre House, is so small that you walk into the building and are almost on the stage. This 45-seat venue is the perfect intimate setting for powerhouse productions. Posey changes how people view live productions by infusing elements that we normally see in movies. For example the slow motion movement of a bullet across the stage. Taboo or bizarre is the norm for Posey and his mind works in the strangest way which is good for his audiences. They are always treated to something they have never seen before.
Susan Sargeant
The Bath House Cultural Center
521 E. Lawther Road
Dallas, TX 75218
(214) 675-6573
www.wingspantheatre.com
Susan Sargeant wears many hats in the theatre production business. She is a producer, director and actress that has her own theatre company (WingSpan). WingSpan produces plays that are for and about women. Sargeant is progressive and does meticulous research on her pieces. Her work has been at the Pocket Sandwich Theatre, The Bath House Cultural Center and Contemporary Theatre of Dallas. Sargeant has directed many Edward Albee plays including "Counting the Ways," "The American Dream and the Sandbox," and "The Play about the Baby."
Katherine Owens
Undermain Theatre
3200 Main St.
Dallas, Texas 75226
(214) 747-5515
www.undermain.org
Owens is the founder and artistic director of Undermain Theatre in Deep Ellum. Undermain is in its 29th season proving that Owens has vision and staying power to create some of Dallas' best productions. Her work has been seen in New York at The Ohio Theatre, WalkerSpace and SoHo's Think Tank's Ice Factory Festival.
Robin D. Everson is a native Chicagoan who resides in Dallas, Texas. Her
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