Meet the Faculty

Mace Archer

Chair of the Theater Department, Assistant Professor of Theatre: Performance
M.F.A., Illinois State University
(e-mail)

After earning his Masters in directing, Mace served as an Assistant Professor of Theatre at Montana State University — Billings, before transitioning full time into professional theatre as Artistic Director of Venture Theatre, a company he co-founded during his graduate school experience.

Mace led Venture Theatre through a capital campaign and expansion that resulted in the establishment of a new performing arts facility in the historic district of Billings, Montana. This new facility currently houses Venture Theatre and the Venture Youth Conservatory, a performance training program for youth which Mace also founded.

Mace relinquished his Artistic Directorship to pursue a career as a free-lance actor and director, working from east to west with stints at Kentucky Repertory Theatre, Clarence Brown Theatre, Arizona Broadway Theatre, Springer Opera House, and Thin Air Theatre Company.

With over 100 shows to his credit, Mace's directing experience covers a plethora of styles, including the classics Oedipus the King, Woyzeck, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Ceasar, and Blood Wedding, as well as more contemporary titles like Rabbit Hole, Guys and Dolls, Our Country's Good, Sweeny Todd, and Noises Off.

Mace has also worked extensively as an actor, playing roles like Henry Higgins in Pygmalion, Jacob Marley in A Christmas Carol, and Shakespeare's Hamlet.

Christopher Otwell

Assistant Professor of Theatre: Technical Production & Design
B.A., Albion College; M.F.A., Wayne State University
(e-mail)

While earning his MFA in Scenic Design, Christopher worked closely with both the Hilberry and Bonstelle Theatres in Detroit. Christopher honed his technical skills through the rigors of repertory theatre serving as the Technical Director for such productions as Beaux Stratagem, A Christmas Carol, Hamlet, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, and Compleat Female Stage Beauty.

Christopher’s design aesthetic often involves incorporating lighting features and silhouettes, ensuring close collaboration with his lighting designer. Some favorite scenic designs include: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, The Servant of Two Masters, The Talented Tenth, and Leading Ladies.

Christopher has worked with the Tibbits Opera House for several years, acting as both Master Carpenter and Scenic Designer. In addition, he nourished his inner child by designing children’s productions for their Popcorn Theatre Program.

Following its success at Stratford, Christopher was honored to have been chosen as Scenic Designer for the United States professional premiere of Joanna McClelland Glass’ Palmer Park.

Kenneth Parks

Associate Professor of Theatre
B.A., Centre College of Kentucky; M.F.A., University of Mississippi
(e-mail) (web site)

Ken is the Scenic & Lighting Designer for Macon Theatre productions and Lighting Designer and Production Manager for the Dance Department's annual Spring Dance concerts. Recent work includes The Rimers of Eldritch, As You Like It, The Children's Hour, and the Classics Department's production of The Bacchae.

His classes include Basics of Design, Scenic Design, Lighting Design, Design Portfolio, and Design Studio. He publishes the department's e-newsletter, the Macon Theatre News, and serves as webmaster for the Theatre Department website.