New Theatre Department Chair Hopes to Involve Alumni

If some of Lee Orchard’s ideas are realized, Valparaiso University alumni may find themselves performing in plays on campus or visiting the theatre scene in London.

Orchard, a respected scholar, director and actor, began serving as professor of theatre and chair of Valpo’s Department of Theatre on July 1. Since then, he’s been focused on everyday activities such as preparing students for their roles in “Unity (1918),” which marked his directorial debut at the university.

His busy daily schedule, however, hasn’t prevented him from visioning the future of theatre at Valpo and all that he’d like to accomplish.

“First, I want to be a good listener,” he says, “then collaborate with faculty and staff in a shared vision of who we are, what we’re about, and what we want to do. This department is ready to grow.”

Topping the wish list: develop and refine an already strong curriculum, expand the dance program, increase the number of productions, develop musical theatre, and increase the number of majors offered over a five- to 10-year period.

A three-week summer course dedicated to the study of theatre in London recently was approved. Alumni may be invited to participate and attend various productions. In addition, Orchard hopes to invite alumni to perform in plays on campus alongside students and serve as their mentors.

In the meantime, Orchard revels in the emotional and intellectual connections he’s made with the students, who are “engaged, interested and intelligent.” Best of all, the students aren’t in it for the fun or applause, but consider their work a vocation, recognizing that theatre is art that communicates important ideas to an audience and is significant to the culture.

Specializing in the works of Stephen Sondheim, Orchard has directed more than 60 productions during the past 30 years, ranging from Greek tragedies and Shakespearean dramas to musicals and children’s theatre. He also has appeared in more than 40 theatrical productions.

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

At Valpo, he replaces John Steven Paul ’73, Dickmeyer professor of Christian education, who 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.