Michael Riha, a member of the University of Arkansas drama faculty for 21 years, is storming into his new role as department chairman with the energy of the Harley he loves to ride.
With the input of his faculty, Riha - an MFA graduate of Indiana University, an author, a Broadway designer and a UA faculty member since 1992 - has selected an ambitious mainstage season, added a second-stage season and is targeting playgoers to let them know the University Theatre is an easy place to go and produces shows as good as anything they’ll see anywhere else in Northwest Arkansas.
He’s been chairman just a few weeks, since D. Andrew Gibbs, chairman for the past 20 years, retired on June 30.
“In many ways, Andy was a very silent leader,” Riha says.
“He handled so much himself that it all looked seamless.”
Riha expects his “big mouth” will change the face of the drama department, both to the university and to the public.
“I think we’ll have a newly energized focus on audience development - to have our name in the mix with TheatreSquared and the Walton Arts Center. And I’ll share more with the faculty to be sure we’re all on the same page.”
Even before he talks about the season, Riha wants to lay to rest the idea that it’s hardto park at University Theatre.
“It’s closer to park in the stadium lot and get to University Theatre than to park in the stadium lot and get to the football field or Bud Walton,” he says. “We’ve measured it!”
There’s also a parking garage right across the street from the theater entrance, and it’s free in the evenings and on weekends.
That said, he also “would love people to know that we are here to serve our students, first and foremost, but without an audience, ourstudents are performing for a wall.”
“We have a professional master of fine arts program, and incredible demands are put on our graduate students - and our majors - to perform at a professional level,” he adds. “We want people to know the incredible work that goes into this program. These students do this with no pay because they want to study with some of the most amazing faculty anywhere.”
Finally, Riha’s goal is to forge “a stronger connectionwith the community, to invite any feedback they have to help us better serve them.”
“Everybody has so many (entertainment) options, and we have to find our place,” he says. “We want patrons to know we picked showsbecause they’re incredibly well written, with a story and message universal enough you will find a way to connect.
And more than anything, we hope what you see will stir a conversation between you and your neighbor.”
Whats Up, Pages 14 on 07/26/2013