Professor: Acting, Directing

Dr. Stilson was the former Artistic Director of Alabama Lyric Theatre and Shakespeare in the Park in Ft. Worth, TX (AEA LORT D).  As a professional actor, director, writer, and/or administrator, he also has worked in such theatres as the Lincoln Center (NYC), American Academy of Dramatic Art and the Hudson Theatre (Hollywood, CA), Southern Repertory Theatre (New Orleans), Cultural Arts Center (Florida), Le Petit Theatre de Vieux Carré (New Orleans), University of Missouri Summer Repertory Theatre, Oklahoma Shakespearean Festival, and the Mississippi Shakespeare Festival.

He holds both a Ph.D. and M.A. in Theatre from the University of Missouri-Columbia and a B.A. in Theatre from Southeast Missouri State University.  Before returning to Southeast, Dr. Stilson served as Head of Acting/Directing programs at the University of South Alabama, Texas Wesleyan University, and Stetson University (FL), and as an instructor of theatre at Tulane University. He is co-author of the legendary textbook, Acting Is Believing, with Larry D. Clark and the late Charles McGaw. Adopted by over 150 colleges and universities nationwide, the ninth edition was published in spring 2006. He also has published the critically acclaimed Ezra Stone: A Theatrical Biography, wrote an award-winning play, Where the Lilies Grow, and has written numerous articles on acting and theatre.

Dr. Stilson continues to serve in leadership roles on numerous national committees, and, over the past fifteen years, has presented master classes and presentations at various regional and national conventions and at numerous universities, colleges and high schools.