Staff and Bios
KEY ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL
Eric served as Casting Director and Creative Consultant for the 2008 and 2009 seasons. An original company member for the theatre's first five years, Eric also served as Artistic Director in 2005.
In 2007 he directed OAT's Anniversary celebration, 20 Years of Magic, and in 2008 he directed THE MUSIC MAN. Eric received his BFA in performance in 1997 from the University of Central Missouri. Eric's roles on the OAT stage include appearances in THE FOREIGNER, THE DIVINERS, GODSPELL and THE FANTASTICKS as well as appearing in the firsts three benefit productions and he has served on many prop crews, light crews, running crews and has even taken in a few tickets at the door.
For OAT he has directed ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, ONCE UPON A MATTRESS, ANNIE, OKLHOMA, ALWAYS PATSY CLINE, and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. He was nominated for a Kevin Kline Award for Outstanding Director for his 2006 production of Door to Door at New Jewish Theatre in Saint Louis. Edward has been associated with some of the top theatres in the United States including The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis (since 1990), The La Jolla Playhouse, The National Theatre of the Deaf and the Alley Theatre. Edward is on the faculty of the Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University.
Christopher has been associated with OAT for five seasons. He is the resident designer and faculty member for the Theatre Program as well as the technical director for Leach Theatre at Missouri University of Science and Technology. Christopher's design specialties include scenic, lighting, sound and digital projection for the stage. He holds a B.A. in Theatre/Communications from Sterling College and an MFA in Theatre design and Technology from the University of Georgia.
JIM WELCH
Jim Welch-Production Stage Manager
Jim is pleased to return for the 2010 Summer Season at Ozark Actors Theatre. Having been a proud member of Actors Equity Association for nearly 30 years, he is thrilled to have spent the last 23 summers with OAT. Jim's tenure at OAT has included over 60 productions as Production Stage Manager, Assistant Stage Manager, Technical Director, Production Associate, and Prop Master.
Jim holds a Bachelor's of Science from Southeast Missouri State University in Elementary Education and Master's work in Technical Theatre at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. While in Kansas City, Jim was a Technician, Stage Manager and Marionettist with the Kansas City Repertory Theatre, Theater League, Starlight Theatre, and Broadway Marionettes, respectively.
Jim is retired from the Crawford County R-2 Schools in Cuba, Missouri, and is living in Rolla. He will be pursuing other theater jobs, working with area arts organizations and travelling. He looks forward to seeing you at the theater, at various meetings, or on the road.
Until then, he hopes you have a wonderful time at Ozark Actors Theatre. Enjoy!
Eric Clark
CHRISTOPHER WALLER