
Directing Philosophy:
Directing is finding the balance between exploration and organization. It is communicating clear expectations and responsibilities, while allowing creative freedom and independence. Theatre is an exceptionally collaborative art form, bringing physicality, emotions, intellect and spirit together in a dynamic way. An effective director understands this interplay and creates an emotional, entertaining and artistic experience for the audience. However, an extraordinary director provides the same experience, but with innovation and courageous imagination. As John F. Kennedy said, "If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him." As the director, I am responsible for not only connecting the audience to the story and experience, but for creating an artistic vision that challenges and inspires the production team, actors and audience. Theatre should nourish our creativity and do so with bold invention and originality.
Photo Gallery




COMMUNITY THEATER WORKS
Community Theatre Works began in 2009 and was a program created, directed and managed by Michael Stoddard till 2015.
​
CTW began in 2009 with the production of Honk! The Musical Tale of the Ugly Duckling, followed by Annie in the Summer of 2010, Beauty and the Beast in the Summer of 2011, High School Musical in 2012 and in 2013 we performed our fifth year anniversary show, Peter Pan, to sold out audiences. We closed our sixth season with the inspiring and stunning musical Ragtime followed by the revival of the classic musical, Cinderella. CTW is an intensive, four-week rehearsal process combining the talents of DSHA students, DSHA alumnae, middle-school students and select community members. The mission of CTW is to educate students by working in tandem with local talent in a caring theatre environment that fosters mentoring, teaching, learning and growing.

About Community Theatre Works
RECOMMENDATIONS AND CRITIQUES
PROFESSIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS:
​
Mrs. Rebekah Wickert - Musical Director and Choral Activities
Dr. Heather Mansfield - Academic Dean
PARENT RECOMMENDATIONS:
​
PROFESSIONAL CRITIQUES and AWARDS:
​
Wisconsin Musical Theatre Competition - Urinetown Critique
Wisconsin Musical Theatre Competition: Winner of "Outstanding Musical" for the past four years:
- 2014 Shrek the Musical (Nominated)
- 2013 Urinetown
- 2012 Legally Blonde
- 2011 The Secret Garden
ORGANIZATION AND COMMUNICATIONS
Rehearsal Schedule 1: Layout for non-musical productions.
Rehearsal Schedule 2: Layout for musical productions.
Polish Dialect Tutorial: Created and posted online to assist cast members.
Show Approval Rubric: Created in 2010 for transparency on all production choices.
Production Budget: Created and adapted for each production.
Theatre Season PR Poster: Season posters and postcards come out every May for the following year.
Communication letter: Mailed to parents in preparation for adult content in Ragtime.