Noted Director, Actor to Chair Department of Theatre

Lee Orchard, a respected scholar, director and actor who has specialized in the works of Stephen Sondheim, began serving as professor of theatre and chair of Valparaiso University’s department of theatre on July 1.

Lee Orchard, professor of theatre and chair of Valpo’s department of theatre

Orchard replaces John Steven Paul ’73, Dickmeyer professor of Christian education, who last year was named director of the Lilly Fellows Program in Humanities and the Arts, a nationwide higher education program based at Valpo. Paul had been chair of the department of theatre since 1991.
Orchard has directed more than 60 productions during the past 30 years, ranging from Greek tragedies and

hakespearean dramas to musicals and children’s theatre. The American College Theatre Festival selected him as one of 25 professors/directors in the country to participate in its Silver Anniversary Symposium in Directing at the Kennedy Center. In addition to directing, Orchard has appeared in more than 40 theatrical productions.

He comes to VU from Truman State University, where he has served as chair of the theatre department since 1991. He earned his Ph.D. degree in theatre arts from the University
of Oregon.