Directors at Spotlighters!
This section
spotlights Spotlighter's
directors.

Check out the directors
who are listed here
in alphabetical order!

If you are a director
and not here yet or want to update your bio, yell loudly!
Directors at Spotlighters!
Ronald Burr
Silver Scream - Oct-Nov 2002
Ronald Burr is glad to be back behind the scenes of a normal show. Having spent the last year and a half as assistant creative director of HOt SPOTS as well as Assistant director of both "THe Early Monday morning shows (Baltimore's premiere improv comedy troupe) and "Charm City Dreams" all here at Spots. He has also directed, "The Photo" for Mobtown players and both "Death and the Maiden" and "A Stye of the eye" for Towson State University. He has acting credits too, but that is for another bio. This show is, as always, for Pop, Bradly, Shelby, and for Ding Dong (those who know me can figure that out). If you don't, it doesn't mean the snack cake, evidence to the contrary , , ,
Melainie Eifert
Connections - July 2002
Eat the Runt - September 2004
Melainie Eifert returns to Spotlighters after a short absence, during which time she perfomed in Harford Stage Company's production of Steve Martin's Picasso at Lapin Agile and in FPCT's production of Toni Press Coffman’s Touch. She has tons of experience working backstage for several Baltimore community theatres including most recently as the assisstant stage manager for Mobtown Players and their Shakespeare in (Patterson) Park production of A Midsummer Night's Dream.  Her most rewarding production was co-directing Medea, a Noh Play, which the City Paper voted Best Production in 1995. Again and again, for Granny.
Neal Freeman
Fifty-Fifty - August 2003
Neal Freeman is an honors directing graduate of Cornell University, and remains an Associate Artist of the program. He has directed for Artscape, with Run of the Mill, with the Baltimore Shakespeare Festival, and with many area schools and arts programs. Neal has long been associated with Reisterstown's Open Space Arts, where he has directed work ranging from Shakespeare to Brecht, and where he recently created and directed a Shakespeare adaptation called Romeo and Juliet: He Ate Everything! featuring live music and puppetry. Neal has appeared on the boards at Center Stage, Baltimore Shakespeare Festival, and many other local theaters.
Gary Goodson
To Kill A Mockingbird - Jan/Feb 2002
Gary Goodson began his theatrical career in Atlanta, Georgia and for the past twenty-five years has been involved in every aspect of professional theatre. As an actor. he has performed at regional and stock theatres throught the eastern United States including the Alliance Theatre Company, the Florida Repertory Theatre, Caldwell Theare Company, Atlanta CHildren’s Theatre, The Kenley Players, The Star Theatre of Flint, the Cape Cod Melody Tent and the Cumberland Theatre. Gary’s credits include such roles as George Sikowski in That Championship Season, Daddy Warbucks in Annie, Deputy Governor Danforth in The Crucible and George in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf. In addition to performing, Gary has served as Artistic Director for Atlanta Civic Children’s Theatre, Helen Summer Theatre, Stone Mountain Memorial Association, Encore Theatrics and Patuxent Theatre Company directing productions ranging from The Sound of Music to The Crucible. Gary moved to the Baltimore-Washington area from Florida where he was nominated four times by the South Florida Entertainment Writers Association as Best Actor. Also, he recieved the prestigious Caronell Award for his portrayal of Father O’Reilly in Do Black Patent Leather Shoes Really Reflect Up? Gary lives in Baltimore with his lovely and talented wife Heidi White.
Greg Hall
The Early Monday Morning Show and Charm City Dreams since - June of 2001!
Greg Hall is the writer and director of The Early Monday Morning Show™ (EMMS), which ran five years in Michigan with many members Second City alumni. Greg has 10 years standup comedy experience as emcee, feature and headliner. His theatrical experience includes leads in Arsenic and Old Lace, My Three Angels, Norman, Is That You? and The Three Muskateers. Nominated Best Actor 3 straight years in regional Detroit "Tony" awards, Greg worked as the main improv street character at Terror on Church Street in Orlando for three years. After starring in two comedy TV pilots The Bottom Line and St. Thomas and Bates (for which he also served as head writer), Greg was
in an episode of Homicide, playing a homeless man who discovers an abandoned infant. During the 5-year EMMS™ run, Greg led a spinoff for a local cable network called Spotlight on Comedy, which ran for a year; and for which he served as skit actor and head writer. Greg also directed, appeared in and wrote a short film Is This Mic On? which is to be entered in various film fests 2002.
In his spare time, Greg teaches improv, standup comedy and acting to young people and adults. Greg currently has two pilot scripts on desks of HBO and Comedy Central. Says Greg, “That means I could get called tomorrow and move to LA by the weekend or they could finally get to my scripts 5 years after my death.”
Greg was the winner of several regional Emmys and a National Tele Award for serving as writer, producer and appearing in the original Christmas special Never Lose Your Hope thru NBC. Greg has worked with Jay Leno, Jeff Daniels, Pat Morita, Isiah Thomas, the Amazing Johnathan, Sheila Kay, Jake Johansenn, Jimmy Walker, and the Wynans . . . “but not all in the same show,” says Greg. He currently works for legendary theatre guru Bob Russell as Hot Spots Creative Director, and writer/director of EMMS™ and Charm City Dreams™.
Roy Hammond
The Night of the Iguana - April - May 2004!
Roy Hammond hails from Maryland but recently returned home after a 16 year "visit" to Los Angeles. While in Los Angeles he had the privilege of directing the West Coast premiere of Paul Wheeler's Deceptions in Beverly Hills. In 1996, his production of The Boy Friend was voted one of the top ten productions in Los Angeles for that year and in 1997, he won the A.D.A. award for Best Director of a Drama for Ira Levin's Veronica's Room. Other plays he directed while in Los Angeles include, - But Not Goodbye, Criticís Choice, Morning's At Seven, The Cocktail Hour, Little Shop of Ho rrors and Any Wednesday. Since returning from Los Angeles, he has directed Lend Me A Tenor, A Certain Mystery and Deathtrap. As an actor some of his favorite stage roles include: Jimmy Perry in The Gingerbread Lady, Bo Decker in Bus Stop, Jonathan/Einstein in Arsenic and Old Lace, Elwood P. Dowd in Harvey and the blood-thirsty count in Dracula. Although he loves being on stage, his passion is directing.
Bill Kamberger
Sly Fox -- October 2003!
Bill Kamberger is pleased and proud to return to Spotlighters, whose founder, Audrey Herman, gave him his first directing assignment. During Audrey's tenure, he directed 7 shows here, among them Marivaux's Engaging Strategies, Percy Bysshe Shelley's The Cenci, and Brian Friel's Philadelphia, Here I Come! Since then, he has directed 4 musicals at Fell's Point Corner Theatre: Wings (praised by the Sun as "one of the very finest community theater productions"), Bed and Sofa, Passion and Parade (the latter 2 cited by The City Paper in its annual Top 10 of Baltimore theater). He has also directed the world premieres of several plays by Mark Scharf, winning the BPF Best Production citation for The Mean Reds at Vagabonds and the Clifford Smith Award as Best Director for No Riders at the Maryland One-Act Play Festival.
Photo to come!
Dahlia Kaminsky
Silver Scream - Oct-Nov 2002
Dahlia Kaminsky has been working in the theatre since the age of eight, performing across the Baltimore-Washington Metro Area and in New York, last performing with Axis Theatre as Sara in Stop Kiss and last directing Short Stops with Mobtown Players for the Baltimore Playwright's Festival 2002 (which recently won 3rd place for Best Production). Recent productions of her own original work include New York debuts of: Ursula's Children at WOW Cafe's New Women's Works Festival 2002, Scrape at the International Fringe Festival 2001, and Petty Theft (co-authored with Ben Forstenzer) as part of the The Present Company's New Play Workshop Series 2001. Her one-woman show, Suitcase - a tribute to 9/11, premiered this fall at the Creative Alliance in Baltimore. She is a founding member of the Baltimore-based Pussycat Theatre Co., dedicated to the new works of gay and lesbian playwrights.
Alan Kootsher
Inherit the Wind - September 2002
Alan Kootsher is a former professional actor and director who has appeared on Broadway, Off-Broadway, Regional theater, Dinner theater and Summer Stock in such diverse roles as Jamie in Hot L Baltimore, Play It Again, Sam as Allan Felix, Nathan Detroit in Guys and Dolls, Chulkatorian in Journey of the Fifth Horse and Bobby in Good News to name a few.
Alan was also a regular troupe member of Allan Albert's improvisational group "The Proposition" which included such renowned actors as Jane Curtain, Fred Grandy and Ray Baker. Some of his directing credits include:Israel Horowitz's It''s Called the Sugarplum, Crazy For You, Oliver, Gypsy, A Wish For Christmas (which he also wrote) and Macbeth. A resident of Bel Air, Maryland, Inherit the Wind marks Alan's debut at Spotlighters.
Terry J. Long
The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told - May-June 2001
Corpus Christi - May-June 2002
Rudolph the Red Hosed Reindeer - December 2002
The Laramie Project - May/June 2003
Rudolph the Red Hosed Reindeer - December 2003
BatBoy The Musical - May/June 2004
Terry Long always feels at home at Spotlighters. This was the first theatre he worked in after moving here from Utah in 1985. He was in the ensemble of Amadeus. The next summer (1986), he was in Beyond Therapy. It would be the last time he was on stage at Spots as he would begin his directing stint. He has directed over 15 plays on the small stage. He happily returns to Spots and dedicates his work in the memory of the founder Audrey Herman. His Spots credits include: Gemini, Robber Bridegroom, Working, It's Only a Play, The Complete Wks of Wm Shksp, Safe Sex, Ruthless, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom, Psycho Beach Party, The Most Fabulous Story Ever Told and the huge hit Pageant. This year he brings Terrance McNalley's controversial Corpus Christi to Spots.
Terry appreared in the new musical Rumpelstiltskins Daughter as the Greedy King. Also directed: Corpus Christi and The Laramie Project (at Spots), Two weeks with the Queen and Once Upon a Mattress.
Deborah Newman
Ebenzer! - November-December 2002
Nunsense - April - May 2002
Watching Lotus Flowers Blossom - August 2002
MAMALEH! - April - May 2003
Hell, Incorporated - July 2003
Deborah Newman made her BPF directing debut with Watching Lotus Flowers Blossom. She is pleased to be working at Spotlighters where she directed both Ebenezer! and Nunsense. She has recently directed Brigadoon for MAD Productions at NASA-Goddard, Godspell for the Pasadena Theater Company and appeared as Claudia in Charm City Dreams. Deborah enjoys reading plays and directing staged readings for the BPF. She expanded her horizons stage managing The Blue Eye of Robert Oppenheimer at FPCT. She looks forward to directing My Uncle Scrooge this fall at FPCT and Mamaleh! at Spotlighters.
John Sadowsky
The Diary of Anne Frank - April-May 2002
Ebenzer! - November-December 2002
Uncle Vanya - February 2004
John Sadowsky is a Baltimore director and actor who has directed Come Back, Little Sheba, The Dining Room, and co-directed Scrooge, 1998 at Spotlighters. Elsewhere, he has directed Arsenic and Old Lace at Liberty Showcase, Outdoor Recess for Arena Players, three Baltimore Playwrights Festival plays for Director's Choice Theater, and plays for Kittamaqundi Theatre and Columbia Community Players. He has appeared on stage in roles such as Shylock, Zeus, Ebenezer Scrooge, and recently at Spotlighters as Jacob Marley in Ebenezer! He also has appeared as Dennis in the short film, Freefall and will be appearing in the feature film The Monstrous V9 in the Spring, 2002. He has studied stage directing with Vince Lancisi and with Paul Berman. He is co-founder and co-artistic director of the Director's Choice Theater Company.
Jim "Fuzz" Roark
Silver Scream - Oct-Nov 2002
Rudolph the Red Hosed Reindeer - December 2002
MAMALEH! - April - May 2003
Hello Again, Jan - Feb 2004
Chess - March 2004
Jim "Fuzz" Roark FUZZ Roark is excited to be a part of the Spotlighters family. Fuzz give thanks to Terry Long for introducing him to this bunch of folk!
FUZZ danced his way on stage at age 7, and fell in love with theatre at that point. During his high school and early college years, FUZZ toured with The Carolina Civic Ballet Company, as the principal male dancer for 3 of those years, dancing such roles as the Prince in Cinderella, and Sleeping Beauty. He has also begun to appear in stage musicals, playing a variety of roles.
A minor in Performing Arts (Choral performance and Technical Theatre) from Francis Marion University,
combined with over 18 years of dance training and music (piano and voice) prepared Fuzz for his work in the theatre. Prior to Baltimore, Fuzz, worked with numerous theatres in the Southeast and Midwest. At Ft. Wayne Civic Theatre, Fuzz was Musical Director of The Music Man, and Dance Captain for Evita!. 
Among his recent Baltimore credits are: Technical Director for MCC Baltimore's productions of The Women (2002); and Auntie Mame (2000); and Lighting and Sound Designer for The Man Who Came to Dinner (2001).
Fuzz's first Spotlighters production was Corpus Christi (music Director) with director, Terry Long. Never knew that a NON-MUSICAL show could involve so much music, and especially when there were no vocal auditions! Thanks to Terry for a wonderful experience! And that began the maddness known as theatre at SPOTS! 
Fuzz was asked to join the directional team of Ron Burr and Dahlia Kaminsky for the exciting adpatation of SILVER SCREAM! (Co-Director/Music Director/Choreographer) - Creative expression and freedom - run amuck! Following the Halloween show, came the smash cult HIT! Rudolph, the Red-Hosed Reindeer (Musical Director). Another show, that didn't audition singers! But, another chance to work with Terry Long and a fantastically talented cast!
Then came MAMALEH! (Assistant Director / Choreographer). What a great experience to work with 5 talented women on stage and to share creative space wtih Deborah Newman. Then, another show with Terry Long, The Laramie Project (Musical Director). FUZZ was thrilled to be a part of this powerful and moving presentation. 
FUZZ is excited about the 2003-2004 season at SPOTS and knows that he will be busy as Musical Director for the return of Rudolph, the Red-Hosed Reindeer, and Hello Again. FUZZ is also making his directoral debue with CHESS in March. The challenge of blocking and staging over 25 actors and singers, and handling 22 scene changes on the SPOTS stage only seems to increase the excitement FUZZ has for this production.
Bob Russell
The Foreigner - January 2003
The Baltimore Women Playwrights Showcase - March/April 2003
Hello Again - January 2004
Eat the Runt - September 2004
Bob Russell has been involved in theatre ever since his middle school years - too many to count.

Directing at Spotlighters: Twice Around the Park, London Suite, The Mousetrap, An American Daughter, The Blue Room, The Kathy & Mo Show, Fools, The Foreigner, The Baltimore Women Playwrights Showcase, Hello Again and Eat the Runt.

Earlier directing: Hello Out There, The Sandbox, I Rise In Flame Cried the Phoenix, Lovers and Other Strangers, You Know I Can’t Hear You When the Water’s Running,
Lovers and Other Strangers (Howard Community College - Student production), Gingerbread Lady (Columbia Community Players), Noises Off (Howard Community College - Rep Stage - Assistant Director), Rumors (Columbia Community Players), A Need for Brussells Sprouts (Columbia Community Players), A Need for Less Expertise (Columbia Community Players), Hello Out There, The Universal Language and Side by Side by Sondheim (Columbia Festival of the Arts), Noises Off (Columbia Community Players), Witness for the Prosecution (Columbia Community Players), The Foreigner (Columbia Community Players).
Acting: (selected roles)
Charlie’s Aunt (Lord Fancourt Babberly); No Exit (Garcin), Long Day’s Journey Into Night (Edmond Tyrone) Hello Out There, Hamlet (Hamlet - New England Summer Stock Shakespeare Ensemble)
The Glass Menagerie (Tom Wingfield), A Hatful of Rain (Johnny Pope), Lovers and Other Strangers (Hal) Barefoot in the Park (Paul Bratter), Oscar (Robbie), Casting for the Sixth Annual Evelyn LeBrun Memorial First Play Contest (Auditioner #23 and #28), Christopher Columbus (Visquosine); Daddy’s Dyin’: Who’s Got the Will? (Orville Turnover)

Producer
Cafe Theater, Columbia Players (Columbia, MD), Cafe Theater III, Columbia Players (Columbia, MD)
Columbia Festival of the Arts: Love3, Executive Executive Producer, Spotlighters Theatre (Baltimore, MD - 4 yrs)

Commercial
Santa Claus in Apple Ford Holiday Spot (Fox-TV45, Baltimore)
“Bagelologist” for three Bagel Bin Commercial (Brick-Brown, Columbia, MD)
John Houseman type for ad for casino in Mississippi
Ben Franklin for Schlessinger Educational Video (23 minutes)

Education/Training:
Minor in drama and theatrical arts (Gettysburg College, BA, 1965)
MSEd, University of Southern California (1972)
Speech, Debate and Drama Director for David Glasgow Farragut High School (Rota, Spain)
Conducted Improvisation Workshop (Harlem Theater Group),
Conducted Mime Workshop (Rota Community College),
Conducted Improvisation Workshop (Rota Community College),
Professor, Public Speaking and Fine Arts (Howard Community College)
Sharon Weaver
School Shooter - February - March 2003!
Sharon Weaver:
Sharon has been extremely active in Maryland theatre since 1964, when, at age 15, she emerged onstage for the first time as ”Lady Tiang” in a local production of The King and I. Since that time, Sharon has acted, danced, sung, directed, produced, designed, costumed, stage-managed, coached actors, etc., for most theatres in Baltimore and the surrounding counties. Her involvement at Spots goes back to 1972, when she debuted as “Nancy” in the musical Oliver!. Subsequently, she performed in Applause, Cabaret, West Side Story, Showboat, Night of the Iguana, and
others, before going on to direct Carousel (her first play!), The King and I and The Crucible. She has also designed and painted countless productions, as well as production-advising and stage managing for friends. Sharon met her husband at Spots (Zorba) and her daughter, Dori, appeared onstage here at age 5. Sharon currently is directing School Shooter at Spots, while simultaneously being on the Board of Directors of F.P.C.T., B.P.F., and Uncommon Voices.
In addition to these accomplishments, Sharon, under the auspices of the anti-drug activist group R.A.D. (Residents Attacking Drugs) out of Carroll County, wrote and directed the anti-drug video Heroin Kills which has been adopted nationally as part of middle schools’ health curriculum, as well as being sent out and internationally accepted in Germany, France, England, Japan Indonesia, etc., as part of their educational programs. Sharon’s day job is in the field of Special Education, at The Ridge Ruxton School in Towson, Maryland.
Stephanie Lynn Williams - Assistant Director
Baltimore Women Playwrights Showcase - March 2003!
Stephanie Lynn Williams:

Stephanie Lynn Williams, a recent graduate of Goucher College, received a BA in Theatre with concentrations in performance and directing. Past directing credits include English Made Simple, The Problem, as well as the student written plays How to Fix the Common Girl and The Emergence of Gus. Gus, written by fellow Goucher grad Ryan O'Connell, was recently selected to be a participating production at the American College Theatre Festival. Stephanie also directed and performed in Hecuba, her senior thesis. In addition to playing Hecuba, favorite past acting roles include Charlene in Hot 'n Throbbing, Ella in Cradle Will Rock and Kate in Dancing at Lughnasa.
Bart Wirth
Raven's Quest - November - December 2002!
Peter Pan - September 2003
Raven's Quest - May 2004
Bart Wirth:
Raven's Quest: I would like to thank Gaven for sharing this wonderful tale of love and adventure, and am pleased that you are here to witness the magic of its telling. The stage is a wonderful medium to share such stories, for under the lights of a theatre we are given permission to escape the world we live in, and experience another place and time. I hope that after helping Raven in her Quest that you become better able to overcome the challenges in your life, and meet many new friends along the way. Merry Meet, Merry Part, and Merry Meet Again.
Peter Pan: Peter Pan has been produced
many times over the years in theatre, film, and video. The 1928 script version is considered to be the truest to Barrie's vision. I am excited to bring that version here to Spotlighters. I am pleased you have joined us on this journey to the Neverland.
Al Woltz
My Play About My Wife - August 2004
Al Woltz
Al Woltz has been involved in theater ever since his teenage years when he first appeared in productions of Wildwood Summer Theatre in Silver Spring, MD (which, by the way, is still in operation still supporting youth summer theater after nearly 40 years). A “short stint” in the U.S. Army resulted in Al taking a short (25-years) hiatus from the performing arts. However, since 1999, Al has either performed, produced, directed, or managed over three dozen productions with community and improvisational theatres throughout Maryland and Delaware including the Audrey Herman
Spotlighters Theatre, Fells Point Corner Theater, Phoenix Festival Theatre, The Covered Bridge Theatre, Cockpit in Court, Suburban Players, Suspect Players, VFW Theater, and Hillside Players. In addition to the performing arts, he is also a board member of both the Baltimore Playwright’s Festival and the Baltimore Theatre Alliance, and he is the editor of the 2nd largest theater-related e-zine (The Mid-Atlantic Tattler) in the Maryland area. Al is more than simply excited to be permitted to present the World Premiere of Joe Dennison’s, My Play About My Wife as part of the Baltimore Playwright’s Festival. A special thanks to Joe for being a “Director’s Playwright.” A greater thanks to all of the cast and crew who ARE absolutely marvelous, and who stuck with the project in spite of seemingly overwhelming odds. Some of Al’s recent theatrical exploits have included Noises Off, Inherit the Wind, Fools, Charm City Dreams, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Rumors, Parade, Street Scene, Guys & Dolls, The Nutcracker, West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, State Fair, Li’l Abner, George M!, Annie Get Your Gun, Night Watch, Romeo & Juliet, …Forum, 1776, A Wish for Christmas, and Anything Goes. More recently, Al has even started to delve into screen work where he was featured in an independent film entitled "Baltimore" and was an extra in the Disney production of "Ladder 49." Although he loves directing, his passion being on stage. A resident of Harford County, Maryland, My Play About My Wife ma rks Al's directorial debut at Spotlighters.