Upcoming Shows
The Theatre department offers three majors: Theatre, Music Theatre, and Speech & Theatre Education, as well as a Theatre minor.
Students who complete the degree requirements can expect to achieve the objectives of the program:
The Theatre department produces four productions per year including at least one major musical, which is usually presented in the spring. All students are welcome to participate in these productions. There are many opportunities for students to become actively involved in all aspects of the art of theatre, including acting, singing, dancing, directing, choreography, sound and light design, stage management, costuming, and makeup.
In addition to the main stage productions presented in the Jones Auditorium, student directors present a number of showcase productions in the intimate James L. Meikle Crossover Theatre. Participation in the Theatre program is open to all students on either a voluntary or credit-hour basis.
Title: Associate Professor of Theatre
Email: lyoung@cofo.edu
Teaching Focus: Exploration of Theatre, Movement Training for the Stage, Dance Technique I, Dance Technique II, Dance Technique III, Dramatic Structure and Analysis, Music Theatre History, Acting I, Acting II, Business of the Performing Arts, Directing I, Directing II, Playwriting, Costuming and Makeup. Exploration of Ballroom Dancing, Theatre Production Thesis, Best Practices in Teaching Speech & Theatre
Education: B.P.A., Oklahoma City University, 1990; M.A., Southwest Missouri State University, 2000
Lisa Young is an Associate Professor of Theatre and Dance at College of the Ozarks. She holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts in Dance Performance from the Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Entertainment at Oklahoma City University and a Master of Arts in Theatre with an emphasis in Directing from Missouri State University. Lisa is married to Mark Young, Professor of Theatre, and they have three grown children: Logan, and twins, Lezlie and Landon, as well as two granddaughters. She has performed professionally in Branson with Shoji Tabuchi, Dino Kartsonakis, and Jimmy Rodgers, and was the original choreographer for the show Gettysburg. Lisa has also performed professionally at Equity Regional and Summer stock theatres across the United States in numerous musicals such as: A Chorus Line, 42nd Street, Sound of Music, Oklahoma, Carousel, Jesus Christ Superstar, My One and Only, Me and My Girl, and Mame. Beyond teaching, Lisa enjoys directing and choreographing productions. Her production of Jim Leonard, Jr.’s, And They Dance Real Slow In Jackson, was chosen as an alternate for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in Washington, D.C. Lisa received the Professional Achievement Award in 2010.
Title: Professor of Theatre, Director of the Jones Theatre Company, and Chair of the Performing and Professional Arts Division
Email: myoung@cofo.edu
Teaching Focus: Exploration of Theatre, Theatre Practicum, Introduction to Theatre Technology, Vocal Training for the Stage, Movement Training for the Stage, Stagecraft and Construction, Costuming and Makeup, Playwriting, History of Western Theatre, Lighting Design, Scene Design, Acting I, Acting II, Directing I, Directing II, Drama Ministry Practicum.
Education: B.F.A., University of Evansville, 1977; M.F.A., University of Georgia, 1980
Mr. Mark Young completed a M.F.A. degree from the University of Georgia and a B.F.A. degree from the University of Evansville in Indiana. He has received honors such as Professional Achievement Award, Distinguished Service to the College, Teaching Excellence, and Portrait of Character for Humility. He is currently the Division Chair of the Performing and Professional Arts Divsion.