40 Productions at Okoboji Summer Theatre
August 5, 2023 — I just opened my 40th production at Okoboji Summer Theatre. I’m 38 now, and somehow this has become my 15th season here. Time flies when you think back on all the shows, all the late nights, and all the students I’ve had the privilege to work alongside.
Two people in particular have been there every single summer with me: Michael Burke, Director of Production, and Ruth Ann Burke, Executive Director. They’re the anchors of this theatre, and working with them year after year has shaped my career and my sense of what summer stock can mean.
It’s surreal to look back — 40 productions is a milestone I couldn’t have imagined when I first arrived here. More than anything, I’m grateful for the friendships, the mentorship, and the community this place has built around theatre.
Scenic Designs at the Okboji Summer Theatre
The Effect of Gamma Rays - dir. Beth Leonard - 2010
Steel Magnolias - dir. Lamby Hedge - 2011
The Glass Menagerie - dir. Lamby Hedge - 2011
Crimes of the Heart - dir. Jana Robbins - 2012
The Liar - dir. Lamby Hedge - 2012
Chicago - dir. Millie Garvey - 2012
Don’t Dress for Dinner - dir. Dan Schultz - 2013
Bingo: The Winning Musical - dir. Tricia Brouke - 2013
Angel Street - dir. Rich Cole - 2013
Rich Girl - dir. Rich Cole - 2014
The Complete Works of Shakespeare - dir. David Davolos - 2014
Little Shop of Horrors - dir. Terry Berliner - 2014
On Thin Ice - dir. Dan Schultz - 2015
The Last Train to Nibroc - dir. Janice Goldberg - 2015
Barefoot in the Park - dir. Kymberly Mellon - 2015
The Spitfire Grill - dir. Stephens Brotebeck - 2016
A Murder is Announced - dir. Karl Kippola - 2016
Cinderella - dir. Liz Picolli - 2016
Not Now, Darling - dir. Fred Rubeck - 2018
Over the River, and Through the Woods - dir- Fred Rubeck - 2018
Thoroughly Modern Millie - dir. Paul Finocchiaro - 2018
Happily Ever After - dir. Courtney Crouse - 2019
Living on Love - dir. Fred Rubeck - 2019
Mamma Mia - Robin Levine - 2019
Clue on Stage - dir. Stephen Brotebeck - 2021
The Marvelous Wonderettes: Dream On - dir. Lauren Haughton - 2021
Urinetown - dir. Paul Finocchiaro - 2021
An Inspector Calls - dir. Stephen Brotebeck - 2022
Bright Star - dir. Lauren Haughton - 2022
Legally Blonde - dir. Amy Fritsche - 2022
Cole - dir. Alsion Morooney - 2023
Dial “M” for Murder - dir. Fred Rubeck - 2023
The Wedding Singer - dir. Bernie Monroe - 2023
Baskerville - dir. Stephen Brotebeck - 2024
Freaky Friday - dir. Josh Walden - 2024
Barefoot in the Park - dir. Brett Olson - 2024
The Music Man - dir. Bernie Monroe - 2024
Bell, Book, and Candle - dir. Richard Biever - 2025
Death Trap - dir. Fred Rubeck - 2025
How to Succeed in Business -dir. Bernie Monroe - 2025
