ALBEMARLE — When the Uwharrie Players of Stanly County open their production of “Camelot” on July 27, two Catawba College graduates will be a big part of it.
Heather Wilson is the artistic director and John Stafford is the musical director.
Freelance director Heather Wilson earned her B.A. in Theatre Arts from Catawba College in the early 1990s. She then went on to obtain her MFA in directing from the University of Memphis. This production will be Wilson’s first with the Uwharrie Players. This past spring, she directed the musical, “110 in the Shade” at the Old Courthouse Theatre in Concord.
Wilson was the Artistic Director of Old Courthouse Theatre for 10 years, from 1997 to 2007.While at OCT, she directed over 50 plays and musicals.
When not directing, Wilson performs from time to time and has received several Metrolina Theatre Association nominations for acting. She has also acted with the St. Thomas Players.
John Stafford received his B.A. degree in music at Catawba in 1990. He went on to complete graduate work at the University of South Carolina, where he also worked in summer repertory.
“Camelot” marks Stafford’s ninth show with the Uwharrie Players. He was Artistic and music director for the UP productions of “Godspell”, “Nunsense II”, “Crossroads”, “The King and I”, and “Beauty and the Beast”. He served as Music Director for “Li’l Abner”, “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat”.
In addition to his work with the Uwharrie Players, Stafford has handled direction and/or music direction for numerous theatrical groups in Salisbury and throughout the Metrolina area. He has also performed as a pianist with the Salisbury Symphony.
Last spring, Stafford was a triple winner for his production of “A Broadway Christmas Carol” with the Old Courthouse Theatre in Concord. The production was named Best Show for the OCT season; Stafford was named best director; and he also took home the best supporting actor award.
The Uwharrie Players have been the community theater organization in Stanly County for 37 years. Their production of “Camelot” will run July 27, 28 and 29 and again on August 2, 3 and 4 at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center, which is located on Highway 24/27 approximately 1 mile west of Albemarle. Friday and Saturday performances will start at 7:30 p.m. and the Sunday matinees will begin at 2:30 p.m.. Tickets will be on sale at Starnes Jewelers in Albemarle, the B & D Book Store at Burleson Square and at the Agri-Civic Center box office each night of the run.
For more information on “Camelot” or the Uwharrie Players, go to uwharrieplayers.org, or call (704) 983-1020.