College of Arts and Humanities
Faculty
Theatre Faculty
Stuart Hollis – Technical Theatre and Design
Stuart D. Hollis received a Masters of Fine Arts in Theatrical Design from Southern Methodist University, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Design and Technical Theatre from Shenandoah University. In the education field, Stuart served as adjunct faculty and Designer/Technical Director at the University of Dallas. Later, he redesigned the technical theatre program for the Anna Independent School District, while serving as teacher and technical director. Stuart鈥檚 professional work has been viewed by audiences of the Dallas Shakespeare Festival, Fort Worth Shakespeare in the Park, Pegasus Theatre, Dallas Summer Musicals, Six Flags Theme Parks, and in Silver Dollar City. His work has also appeared on television, and in high-end shopping centers, marketing/visitor centers, and corporate exhibits and show rooms for Mattel Toys, Fisher-Price Toys, and Disney.
Brett Kristofferson – Acting and Musical Theatre
Brett Kristofferson has worked as a multi-faceted artist and educator for nearly two decades, both in New York City and Missouri. Currently he is faculty and music director at 探花精选, as well as Program Coordinator for Theatre. An award recognized composer and lyricist, his musicals, Closer Than You Think and This Very Moment, had their New York premieres in 2015 and 2016 respectively. This Very Moment was subsequently staged by Stomping Ground Theatre Company in St. Louis. A revue of his work, So Near, So Far, was filmed and streamed as part of University of Missouri Columbia鈥檚 Summer Repertory 2020 season.
Michael A. Harding – Acting and Directing
Michael A. Harding received his MFA in Directing and Shakespeare from the University of Exeter in the U.K. And his BA in Theatre from The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA. He also had graduate performance training with the Professional Theatre Training Program at the University of Delaware, now a professional regional theatre known as Resident Ensemble Players. He has worked as a professional actor and director for many theatres throughout the US, including the Intiman theatre in Seattle, Seattle Children’s Theatre, Seattle Shakespeare Festival, Village Theatre, Warehouse Theatre, Utah Shakespeare Festival, Utah Musical theatre, Pioneer Theatre Company, Virginia Shakespeare Festival, Kayenta Center for the Arts and others. He is a practicing playwright and founder of such theatre groups as Second Act New Works Festival, Classic Repertory Theatre Ensemble and Hunch & Root Shakespeare in Exeter, England.
Cassidy Huscher – Costume Construction and Design
Cassidy Huscher (they/them) is a Costume Technician from South Central Kansas. They earned their MFA in Costume Technology from Ohio University and a BFA in Theatre Design and a BGS in Film and Media Studies from The University of Kansas. Throughout their professional career, they have worked at Illinois Wesleyan University, The Glimmerglass Festival, The REV Theatre Co, Paramount Theatre, Chicago Opera Theatre, The Marriott Theatre, and Music Theatre Wichita. Cassidy has a love for working with the weird stuff and their favorite credits include 鈥淭he Hunchback of Notre Dame鈥� (the REV, Assistant Shop Manager/Costume Crafts) and 鈥淪he Kills Monsters鈥� (Ohio University, Draper/Foamsmith).
Shenika Harris, Ph.D.
Associate Dean, College of Arts and Humanities