“It was a goal of mine,” says Sarah Wiggin. “I wanted to elevate women in leadership roles.”

And in that regard, her first season as Tent Theatre’s artistic director (after serving two years in an interim role) is already a success. The 2018 season features three female directors as well as a female production stage manager. Women are also playing leadership roles in set design, lighting design and costuming.

The Tent Theatre staff has always supported inclusive policies, Wiggin says, and this year the team made a conscious commitment to support gender parity in their field. “There are too few women in leadership positions in theaters nationwide,” Wiggin says.

Music director Heather Luellen sees a connection between this effort and the university’s public affairs mission. “It’s thrilling to take action on goals we know the university supports and promotes,” Luellen says.

Tent Theatre directors

The season’s first production, Cry-Baby, will be directed by Jean Kerr, who will also serve as the show’s choreographer. “For this piece, we knew we wanted someone who could both direct and choreograph,” Wiggin says. “It makes sense artistically, and it’s also a practical choice for us.”

Former Missouri State faculty member Stacy Parker Joyce will return to Springfield to direct Peter and the Starcatcher. “It’s a prequel to Peter Pan,” Wiggin explains. “I felt this particular play would be well served by Stacy Parker Joyce’s creative and storytelling interests.”

Dr. Carol Maples, well known to Springfield audiences for her work with the department of theatre and dance and the Giving Voice performance company, will direct the season’s closing show: The Drowsy Chaperone.

More about Tent Theatre

Learn more about the season in this interview with Sarah Wiggin.

And remember to get tickets before they sell out!