Bob Willenbrink Named Head of Theatre and Dance

SPRINGFIELD — Dr. Bob Willenbrink has been named head of the Missouri State University Department of Theatre and Dance effective July 1, 2009. Since 2002, he has been the Chair and Professor of Theatre in the Department of Communication and Theatre and in 2004 he was named the W. Paul and Lucille Caudill Little Endowed Chair of Theatre at Morehead State University.

"Bob brings a wealth of experience as both an administrator and an artist," said College of Arts and Letters Dean Dr. Carey Adams. "I know he will make significant contributions to the university and the community as well as to the Theatre and Dance Department."

"During my time on campus, I was very impressed with the commitment and vision of the administration, the dedication of the faculty and the enthusiasm of the students," Willenbrink said. "MSU is a prestigious institution and it will be an honor to work with so many quality people in the Department of Theatre and Dance, the College of Arts and Letters and the University.”

Willenbrink will succeed Mark Biggs, Associate Professor of Media, who is serving a two-year term as acting department head.

DR. BOB WILLENBRINK holds the Ph.D. in Theatre from Bowling Green (Ohio) State University. He began his academic career at Hazard (Ky.) Community College and for many years served as Chair and Director of Theatre at the University of Central Arkansas. While there, he created the Youth Theatre of Central Arkansas, was the national director of the ARC Performing Arts Institute for disabled artists, and was the founder of ACTS, a theatre troupe for disabled performers.

Throughout his career he has directed over 80 productions of various styles and genres at numerous venues. A former chair of Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Region VI, he is a member of the Kentucky Humanities Council board of directors and serves as a director and first vice-president of the board of the Jenny Wiley Theatre in Prestonsburg, Ky. He serves as the director for the Kincaid Regional Theatre in Falmouth, Ky. and received the 2008 Distinguished Creative Production Award at Morehead State University.