Watch CBS News

Best Directors In The Local Theater Scene In Detroit

Gem Theatre (Credit, Nicole Wrona)

Detroit plays host to Broadway musicals, operas, ballets and notable plays. It serves as home to a huge array of neighborhood theatres.Detroit's historical theatres that have stood the test of time have been joined by newer companies, expanding and invigorating the scene to reach an even broader audience. The theatre community is vast and has many talented directors who transform scripts into theatrical works of art.

Gary Anderson
Plowshares Theatre Company
3663 Woodward Ave., Suite 150
Detroit, MI 48201
(313) 744-3181
www.plowshares.org

Gary Anderson is co-founder of Plowshares Theatre Company and serves as its director and its producing artistic director. Founded in 1989, Plowshares is one of the largest African American theatre companies in the United States. Anderson has worked as a director throughout the country. Notable credits include "Piano Lesson," "Two Trains Running," "The Whipping Man" and "Buses." He also directed "I Am Man," "Pill Hill" and "Zooman and the Sign." Anderson holds a Master's degree from Wayne State University, with a specialty in directing.

Lavinia Hart
The Hilberry Theatre
4743 Cass Ave.
Detroit, MI 48202
(313) 577-2972
www.hilberry.com

Lavinia Hart is the Associate Professor of Theatre at Wayne State University. She serves as head of the MFA Acting Program at Hilberry Theatre, at Wayne State University. Hart previously held the position of artistic director at the Attic Theatre. Hart has acted, directed and produced over 100 stage productions throughout her career. Hart has directed "The Servant of Two Masters," "Detroit," "Eurydice," as well as "The Lusty and Comical History of Tom Jones." Hart was co-director of "The Kentucky Cycle."

Jaclyn Strez
PuppetArt Theater
25 E. Grand River Ave.
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 961-7777
www.puppetart.org

Jaclyn Strez directs many short and one-act plays. Directing credits include "Fabula Rasa," "This is the Play" and "Lambert Street." She has been directing professionally for six years. Strez holds a BFA in Acting from Wayne State University and studied at the Moscow Art Theatre School. In 2008, she started puppeteering at the Detroit PuppetArt Theatre. In addition to her directing credits, Strez writes, produces and designs costumes for stage performances. She also performs as an actress and has received critical acclaim for the challenging roles she portrays.

Related: Best Detroit Live Theatre Experiences You Probably Haven't Tried

Frannie Shepherd-Bates
Magenta Giraffe Theatre
Abreact Performance Sapce
1301 W. Lafayette Blvd.
Detroit, MI 48226
(313) 408-7269
www.magentagiraffe.org

Frannie Shepherd-Bates has directed many stage productions. "Soul Mates," "Rosmersholm" and "Last of the Boys" were all directed by Shepherd-Bates. She has also directed "Dog Sees God," "The Last Five Years," "No Exit" and Woody Allen's "Play It Again, Sam." She received a BFA in Theatre from Wayne State University. She currently serves as executive artistic director at Magenta Giraffe Theatre Company, which was founded in 2008. In addition to her directing credits, she also acts and is a choreographer. She will be directing "The Maids" this spring.

Barbara Busby
Detroit Repertory Theatre
13103 Woodrow Wilson St.
Detroit, MI 48238
(313) 868-1347
www.detroitreptheatre.com

Barbara Busby is co-founder of Detroit Repertory Theatre. The theatre was founded in 1957 and is the oldest non-profit professional theatre in Michigan. The theatre has a long-standing interest in bringing excellence and diversity to the work that is presented on stage. Busby has directed the much-lauded "Postcards," "Taking Care of Mimi," "Between Men and Cattle" and "Going to St. Ives." She currently acts as fiscal officer for the Detroit Repertory Theatre.

Related: Best Theatres in Detroit

Head to CBS Detroit's Best Of page for more local tips on family fun, shopping, nightlife, food,culture and more!

After receiving a BA in Photography from Savannah College of Art & Design, Nicole Wrona began working with a diverse range of musicians. In addition, she is a freelance writer for numerous publications. Her work can be found at www.metalleaves.com and Examiner.com.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.