THE KATHRINE G. MCGOVERN COLLEGE OF THE ARTS ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR OF THE SCHOOL OF THEATRE & DANCE
Sharon Ott brings her distinguished career to the University of Houston, poised to craft transformative experiences for students.
The Kathrine G. McGovern College of the Arts proudly announces the appointment of Sharon Ott as the new Director of the School of Theatre & Dance. Ott brings a wealth of experience and a distinguished career in the theatre industry, making her an invaluable addition to the college.
With a background rooted in both performance and directing, Ott's journey in the theatre world has been marked by notable achievements and contributions. Beginning her career as an actor after graduating from college, Ott quickly discovered her passion for directing. Her diverse experiences, ranging from ensemble work with renowned theatre figures like Herbert Blau, Ph.D., to directing plays in Los Angeles, have shaped her into a multifaceted and visionary leader.
“Sharon Ott is an experienced academic leader and an award‐winning stage director and artistic director, with a track record of extraordinary achievement in the profession and the academy. She will bring enhanced national and international visibility to the McGovern College, and we are extremely fortunate to have been able to recruit her for this important leadership role.”
Ott discovered her love for directing after she joined an ensemble that was in residence at La Mama Experimental Theater Company in New York and also spent part of the year in Amsterdam, Holland. “We performed at numerous European festivals, and I realized that I didn't enjoy pursuing performance as a career. Night after night of performing left me feeling bored, and I discovered fulfillment in assembling productions. As a member of the ensemble, we crafted our own pieces, and I grew to love the process of creating the work," said Ott.
Subsequently, Ott transitioned away from the ensemble and found herself in Los Angeles with a passion for directing and navigating her own path to get there. “At the time, there weren't many women directors. It was a male dominated field and so I just had to figure it out on my own. Through my classmate Amy Irving from CalArts, I landed a job selling 16mm film for Universal Studios. I made enough money to start my own theater company and hired my friends coming from Europe and college and I never looked back,” said Ott.
From there, her career took her to the University of Wisconsin, where her theater company, Aleph, was hired as the company in residence. In 1980, Ott became the resident director at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, directing the world premiere of Amlin Gray's 'How I Got That Story,' which won an Obie Award after its New York run. In 1984, she became the artistic director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre in Berkeley, California, where she accepted the Regional Theatre Tony Award for Excellence. Ott left Berkeley in 1997 to become the artistic director of Seattle Repertory Theatre, where she reintroduced the classics to Seattle Rep audiences, directing Shakespeare and Shaw herself, and producing works by Stephen Wadsworth, Mary Zimmerman, and Tina Landau.
Ott's tenure in academia commenced at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where she served for ten years teaching and mentoring aspiring artists. Her transition from the professional world to academia was seamless, driven by a desire to nurture the next generation of theatre practitioners. "I continue to find immense joy in guiding the next generation, assisting them in uncovering their true artistic identities. Creating a nurturing environment where they can explore, and grow is incredibly rewarding."
In her most recent role as Chair and Artistic Director at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), Ott demonstrated her exceptional leadership skills and dedication to fostering artistic excellence. Her tenure at VCU was marked by significant achievements, including the successful development of strategic plans, revised graduate and undergraduate curricula, significant increases in funding, and the establishment of fruitful collaborations within the arts community, including with the Virginia Repertory Theatre in Richmond.
As Ott embarks on her new role at the McGovern College of the Arts, she brings with her a vision of innovation and collaboration. Ott's expertise in directing and her passion for theatre education will undoubtedly inspire and empower the next generation of theatre artists.
"I am thrilled to join the esteemed faculty and staff at the McGovern College of the Arts," said Ott. "I am eager to contribute to the college's mission of excellence in arts education and to collaborate with the talented individuals within the School of Theatre & Dance to create transformative experiences for our students."
Ott's appointment signals an exciting new chapter for the School of Theatre & Dance in the McGovern College of the Arts, as it continues to advance its long and distinguished history as a center for theatre and dance training and innovation, in the city of Houston and nationally.
Built with Shorthand