Renowned Broadway Actor, Redneck Tenor Joining Artisan Center Theater As Artistic Director

July 3, 2009 - PRLog -- HURST, TX, JUNE 25, 2009:  Artisan Center Theater announces the addition of John Wilkerson as Artistic Director beginning August 1, 2009.  Mr. Wilkerson toured recently with the Three Redneck Tenors, founded by Matthew Lord (of Grapevine) and recently featured on America’s Got Talent.  Mr. Wilkerson owns and operates the Musical Theater Institute of Dallas, a private vocal and acting academy, with his wife, Margaret Shafer.

Wilkerson recently directed MY FAIR LADY for Artisan Center Theater and will direct the upcoming Production of THE MIKADO (auditions are scheduled for July 13 & 14.)  As Artistic Director he will be responsible for all Artistic Development for Artisan, be an advisor/facilitator of the new Acting Academy and Theater in Education Outreach programs, and will direct four main stage productions in 2010.  As part of a new summer workshop program for youth 19 and under, Artisan will feature Broadway musicals to be performed by the youth on the main stage as a special event.  For its inaugural youth “special event”, Artisan will be offering LES MISERABLES – School Edition in the summer of 2010.  Mr. Wilkerson will use his Broadway experiences and connections to make it a challenging and rewarding experience for the youth involved.

“I am very excited to be joining Artisan Center Theater,” Mr. Wilkerson said. “My Fair Lady was the first time I had directed in-the-round and it offered a refreshing change from the traditional proscenium stage.  The audience can become a part of the experience.  Artisan has a very aggressive 5 year plan and wanted me to help them realize the long term goals.  I started in Community Theater before moving to New York.  After 20 years in and around Broadway or touring America, returning to Dallas and becoming a part of this organization proved a wonderful opportunity for our family.”

John Wilkerson received his Bachelor of Music Education from the Shenandoah Conservatory of Music (now Shenandoah University.) He completed his graduate work in vocal performance at the State University of New York and placed third in the Metropolitan Opera competition. At the college, high school, and grade school levels, he taught voice classes, private voice, music theory, music appreciation, choir and band. He wrote curriculum, served as head of the Music Dept., and directed many theatrical productions. As an athlete who also coached tennis and football, he instills in all of his students the discipline and drive to attain their personal best. In professional theatre, he has produced, directed and designed numerous musicals and plays.  As a performer, John is not only known for his vocal prowess, but for his acting skills and ability to convey the emotion and meaning of a piece with amazing subtlety.

Broadway: a starring role in ABBY’S SONG, STATE FAIR with John Davidson, Andrea McArdle, and Donna McKechnie, and PETER PAN with Cathy Rigby.

National tours:  BRIGADOON with John Schneider, MAN OF LA MANCHA with Ed Ames, STATE FAIR, and PETER PAN. In the most recent tour of SOUTH PACIFIC he understudied Michael Nouri, and then Robert Goulet in the role of Emile, and was privileged to play the role many times, receiving standing ovations and critical acclaim. John was also noted for his portrayal of the President of the United States in the political drama CONFLICT OF INTEREST at the much-honored New Federal Theatre in Manhattan.  He has enjoyed starring roles in several world premieres and in many regional productions including Don Quixote in MAN OF LA MANCHA, Frederick in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, Daddy Warbucks in ANNIE, Henry Higgins in MY FAIR LADY, Ben Stone in FOLLIES, and Tevye in FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. He is very proud to have played Emile in the Dallas Theatre Center production of SOUTH PACIFIC which was nationally acclaimed. He has appeared in numerous operas and operettas, with philharmonics and chamber orchestras and in the City Center Encores! Series.

Artisan Center Theater is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit community theater featuring family-friendly productions five and six nights per week, year round.  Since the first production of Steel Magnolia’s in March 2003, Artisan has seen a steady increase in audiences with attendance now exceeding 50,000 per year. Artie’s Playhouse features Disney and local playwrights productions designed for children ages 2 and up.  The theater is actively involved with local school districts to bring entertaining, values-based programs to elementary schools throughout the Metroplex.  Theater-in-Education is an Artisan Outreach Program dedicated to enhance the educational process of schools using local actors, Artisan staff members and the students at each school to have an interactive learning experience.  The Acting Academy enrolls students of all ages to become actors, singers and dancers.  Artisan Center Theater now has over 400 local volunteers working hand-in-hand to create a premier theater experience with the management and staff.

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ABOUT ARTISAN: Artisan Center Theater is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit community theater opened in 2003, featuring family-friendly productions five and six nights per week, year round. Artisan has seen a steady increase in audiences with attendance now exceeding 50,000 per year. Artie’s Playhouse features Disney and local playwrights productions designed for children ages 2 and up. The theater is actively involved with local school districts to bring entertaining, values-based programs to elementary schools throughout the Metroplex. Theater-in-Education is an Artisan Outreach Program dedicated to enhance the educational process of schools using local actors, Artisan staff members and the students at each school to have an interactive learning experience. The Acting Academy enrolls students of all ages to become actors, singers and dancers. Artisan Center Theater now has over 400 local volunteers working hand-in-hand to create a premier theater experience with the management and staff.