Meadow Brook Theatre Appoints New Artistic Director

Travis W. Walter was named Artistic Director of Meadow Brook Theatre by unanimous vote of the Board of Directors at its meeting on May 17, 2010. The appointment was effective immediately.

Meadow Brook Theatre Board President Dr. Linda Jarkey stated, "Travis brings such passion and energy to his work! His enthusiasm is contagious. His vision for the theatre, and his commitment to its success, have helped guide it though some very difficult times. We are very pleased and fortunate to have Travis as Artistic Director, and look forward for wonderful things in Meadow Brook Theatre's future under his artistic leadership."

Walter graduated from Oakland University in 2002 with a B.A. in Performing Arts. Since that time he has been working professionally in the theatre both onstage and off. He has been seen at MBT in such shows as Witness for the Prosecution, The Foreigner, Romeo & Juliet, Wait Until Dark, A Christmas Carol (five years as Scrooge's Nephew Fred and one as Jacob Marley) and Of Mice and Men. He is a proud member of Actors' Equity Association. Walter has also been involved in several educational outreach tours including MBT's A Midsummer Night's Dream and The Boarshead's Get a Handle on your Mitten (a Michigan History showcase).

Walter has directed many shows for Meadow Brook Theatre including Murder by Poe, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Boeing-Boeing, Enchanted April, Breaking Up is Hard to Do and Beyond the Rainbow. The latter won Best Musical and Best Performer in a Musical (Kimberly Vanbiesbrouck) at the 8th annuAl Wilde Awards.

Walter is also a playwright. He created, directed and produced the musical Hey There, Good Times: A Tribute to Cy Coleman in 2001. His play The Pendergrass Fortune or Liars and Moneygrubbers was a featured production of MBT's 2003 Edge of the Brook series and was revived in 2009 to critical acclaim. His drama Borrowed Heaven, which deals with the serious needs of a family coping with death and alcoholism, was presented at the first annual Michigan Theatre Festival.

"I am extremely grateful," Walter said, "I love this theatre, its staff and its audience. Members of the community keep telling me that the quality of our shows is improving. With this renewed enthusiasm for the theatre emanating from the public, I am dedicated to encouraging the staff to think bigger, come out of their comfort zones and create the best shows possible as Meadow Brook Theatre continues to move forward."

For additional information on Meadow Brook Theatre, call 248-377-3300 or visit www.mbtheatre.com. Meadow Brook Theatre is a non-profit, cultural institution serving southeast Michigan for over 40 years, located on the campus of Oakland University.

Meadow Brook Theatre

Regular Season:
Dracula: A Musical

by John R Briggs Based on the Novel by Bram Stoker - October 6 - 31, 2010

Everyone's favorite vampire takes a bite out of the beginning of our season in a new form. This new musical is inspired by Bram Stoker's novel and is sure to please old and young alike. It is also being arranged specifically for Meadow Brook Theatre. Michigan Premiere

The 39 Steps

Adapted by Patrick Barlow - January 5 - January 30, 2011

A man with a boring life meets a woman with a thick accent who says she's a spy. When he takes her home, she is murdered. Soon, a mysterious organization called "The 39 Steps" is hot on the man's trail in a nationwide manhunt that climaxes in a death-defying finale! This 2008 Broadway Comic/Thriller quickly became Broadway's longest running comedy and has four actors playing numerous roles to retell a story of love, secrets, and international espionage. Based on the Novel and Alfred Hitchcock film of the same name. Michigan Premiere

Reunion: A Musical Epic (Rights Pending)

by Jack Kyrieleison & Ron Holgate - February 9 - March 6, 2011

This retelling of the civil war, as it was seen from the North, was adapted from letters, diaries, memoirs and newspapers, all written by men and women who were there-some famous, many forgotten. Interwoven in the story are songs that were all popular during the war. Presented as a musical documentary years after the events by the rag-tag company of actor Harry Hawk, the man who stood alone on stage when Lincoln was shot by Booth. Michigan Premiere
Ding Dong (Rights Pending)

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