Thoroughly Modern Millie Artistic Staff

Saturday, July 31, 2010

SHOWS: Thoroughly Modern Millie Artistic Staff

MICHAEL HAMILTON (Artistic Director)
This year marks Michael’s 22nd season as Artistic Director for STAGES. A Kirkwood native, Michael has directed and/or choreographed over 60 past STAGES productions, been honored with 6 Kevin Kline Award nominations for Best Director of a Musical, and has twice won Best Director of a Musical for STAGES’ 2005 production of FOOTLOOSE and last season’s THE FULL MONTY. He has also directed the Kevin Kline nominated TYA production FREE TO BE … YOU AND ME and saw his 2007 production of SNOOPY!!! win a Kevin Kline Award as Best Production for Young Audiences. Michael is particularly proud and grateful to be a part of the extraordinary company of dedicated artists who work here at STAGES. He sends special love and thanks to J.L., Mom, Dad, Grandma, and “the kids” for their continued emotional support. [TOP]

DANA LEWIS (Choreographer))
Dana returns to Stages for her 16th season having choreographed over 20 productions including HELLO, DOLLY!, GYPSY, SWEET CHARITY, ON THE TOWN, STATE FAIR, HIGH SOCIETY, GOOD NEWS, MY FAIR LADY, OKLAHOMA, GUYS AND DOLLS, 42ND STREET, and LA CAGE AUX FOLLES. In 2006, Dana was honored with a Kevin Kline Award as Best Choreographer for her work in STAGES production of FOOTLOOSE. She has performed, taught, and choreographed around the country and is so happy to be back in St Louis with her STAGES family. [TOP]

LISA CAMPBELL ALBERT (Musical Director)
Lisa is very happy to return to STAGES where her credits include the Kevin Kline Award winning Best Musical THE FULL MONTY (also nominated for Best Musical Direction), SNOOPY!!! (Kevin Kline Award Recipient Best TYA), MAN OF LA MANCHA (Kevin Kline Award nominee Best Musical Direction), GYPSY, BIG – THE MUSICAL, and 1776. She has also served as musical director for TeamStages and HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL at the STAGES Academy. Originally from Belleville, IL, Lisa received her Bachelor of Music from Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville and her Master of Music from Webster University. Lisa has worked as Guest Music Director at The Rep (AVENUE X), Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, and as vocal instructor for Opera Theatre of St. Louis’ A.I.T. Spring Training program. She also has served on faculty in both the music and theater departments at Washington University. As a performer, Lisa was an original member of the a cappella ensemble “Pieces of 8” and now performs with the St. Louis based blues band, Uncle Albert. Thanks to Michael, Jack, and the whole STAGES family for the years of support. Here’s to a promising future! Cheers! [TOP]

MARK HALPIN (Scenic Designer)
Mark happily returns to STAGES having designed the sets for THE FULL MONTY, CRAZY FOR YOU, CABARET, GREASE, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, THE SOUND OF MUSIC, FOOTLOOSE, and HELLO, DOLLY! (Kevin Kline Award nomination). He has designed over 30 productions at Cincinnati's College Conservatory of Music including the world premiere of Steven Flaherty and Lynn Ahren’s review WE TELL THE STORY and Andrew Lippa’s THE WILD PARTY. Other design credits include projects for the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Human Race Theatre, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Universal Studios Florida, and theme parks, museums, and cruise ships around the world. Mark's original musical, THE KID IN THE DARK, won a 2007 Cincinnati Entertainment Award for Best Alternative Production and his crossword puzzles appear in each issue of The Sondheim Review. Mark holds an MFA from the University of North Carolina in Greensboro. [TOP]

LOU BIRD (Costume Designer)
Lou is pleased to return to STAGES for his 10th season where representative costume design credits include THE FULL MONTY, CRAZY FOR YOU, CABARET, MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (Kevin Kline Award nomination), HELLO, DOLLY! (Kevin Kline Award nomination), THE SOUND OF MUSIC, ANNIE GET YOUR GUN, SWEET CHARITY, DAMN YANKEES, STATE FAIR, A CHORUS LINE, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, and BYE BYE BIRDIE. Other local design credits include MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING for the St. Louis Shakespeare Festival, HANNA’S SUITCASE and GO, DOG, GO for Metro Theatre Company, DINNER WITH FRIENDS and MEN ON THE TAKE for The Rep, BAH! HUMBUG and FERDINAND THE BULL for the Imaginary Theatre, and work for Circus Flora. When not working at STAGES, Lou is an Assistant Professor at St. Louis University. [TOP]

MATTHEW MCCARTHY (Lighting Designer)
Matthew returns for his 17th season at STAGES. He has received three Kevin Kline Award nominations for his design work on A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, MAN OF LA MANCHA, and HELLO, DOLLY! Other STAGES designs include THE FULL MONTY, CRAZY FOR YOU, and CABARET. Matthew has long been affiliated with the Off-Broadway company BLUE MAN GROUP, designing for its various companies in Boston, Chicago, and New York. Opera credits include Juilliard Opera Company, Curtis Institute of Music, Connecticut Opera, Opera Columbus, The New York Philharmonic, and Los Angeles Philharmonic. Matthew’s work has also been seen at New Harmony Theatre, Contemporary Stage Company, Abingdon Theatre Company, Cumberland County Playhouse, Willow Cabin Theatre Company, and through extensive tours of Poland and Brazil. A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Matthew is a member of United Scenic Artists Local 829. [TOP]

STUART M. ELMORE (Orchestral Realization)
Stuart returns for his 20th season to STAGES where he is responsible for the electronic reproduction and orchestral realization of the music. Stuart has spent most of his professional life creating and enjoying music for the theatre and is excited to continue his relationship with STAGES. He is married to the lovely and enormously talented Michele Burdette Elmore and is the proud father of Madison Marie and Colby James. [TOP]