Art Suskin Bio : The Theatre In The Park

Home » Season Summary » Director Bio

Director of Cinderella

Art Suskin, director of The Theatre in the Park's 2010 production of "Cinderella," serves as Artistic Director of The Theatre Gym, which he founded in 2006. Art directed "Cinderella" for The Theatre in the Park once before in 1983.

Starting in the musical theatre in the 60s, Art has directed well over one hundred productions and served as Artistic Director for eight theatre companies including two professional companies affiliated with Actors' Equity. In more than 40 years of directing, he has presented theatre in virtually every theatrical genre.

In 2009, he directed "Mary and Myra" for Leawood Stage Company and he staged "The Sisters Rosenweig" for Blue Springs City Theatre and directed Gorilla Theatre's annual Greek production - Aristophanes' "The Birds." In 2008, he directed "Titanic - The Musical" for The Theatre in the Park. In 2007, Art staged Lawrence and Lee's "Inherit the Wind" for OCTA, "City of Angels" for The Barn Players, "The Haunting of St. Mary's" for St. Mary's Church, and "A Shot in the Dark" for City Theatre of Independence.

In 2006, Art directed the world premi?re of Moliere's "The Miser," a new adaptation by Stephen Booser, as well as Lee Blessing's "Fortinbras" for which he won the Olathe Community Theatre Association's Buddy Award for Best Play. "Inherit the Wind" marked his 11th production for OCTA since 1999 and "City of Angels" was his 13th production for The Barn Players since 1974.

During his ten years in Miami and New York City, Art staged many original scripts and often appeared as an actor. In New York, he also served as Consulting Director to the American Playwrights Workshop. He has co-authored several original scripts for children including "The Adventures of Sinbad the Sailor" for performance in Central Park. He has also collaborated on a theatre memoir, Dennis T. Frye's "A Spirit's Odyssey: A Life Journey On and Off the Stage." As an actor, Art has performed in over 150 productions and has a preference for the classics - Shakespeare, Shaw, and Chekhov in particular.

Among his many other staging duties are the musical review "Tomfoolery" for The Fulcrum and "Sleuth" for The Theatre Club, both Equity professional companies. In the summer of 2000, Art taught a five-week course in Shakespeare for the Actor in conjunction with his direction of "A Midsummer Night's Dream" for City Theatre of Independence. He has also taught theatre at the high school and college levels as well as giving private and group instruction in auditioning, improvisation and acting to students of all ages.

In the Kansas City area, Art has worked with dozens of theatrical organizations. He was one of the original directors involved in The Theatre Workshop, which developed into The Unicorn Theatre. He has also worked with Missouri Repertory Theatre, The Renaissance Festival, and The Spirit Festival. Art formed his first theatrical company, The Young Players, in 1966. In the late 60s, Art broadened his base to include farce, serious classics, and modern scripts as well as musical comedies and reviews. More info on The Theatre Gym can be found on www.theatregym.com.

Show Synopsis | Cast Roles | Audition Information

Theatre In the Park Administrative Office

6501 Antioch Rd

Merriam, Kansas 66202
Office Phone 913-236-1237

Fax 913-831-3311

Infoline 913-312-8841

The Theatre in the Park is proud to be a program of the Johnson County Park and Recreation District.

Have a comment about this page? Email Us

© 2010 The Theatre In The Park. All rights reserved.

Web Site Hosting and Programming Services Provided By Skyway Networks