Lee Street Theatre Announces New Technical Director

Lee Street theatre of Salisbury, NC introduces Rod Oden as the new Technical Director to carry out the rest of Season 10 and build future seasons. Oden joins the company after former Technical Director Chris Speer stepped down in December after 5 years of service to the company. Oden departed from his position as Production Manager & Technical Director of the Jefferson Performing Arts Society in New Orleans, Louisiana to join the Lee Street theatre family. He brings his wife Raquel and four sons, Tristan, Lucas, Jamie and Sylar, with him on this new adventure and enjoys spending time with his two lovely daughters Ariel and Isabelle.

Artistic Director Craig Kolkebeck is proud to see Lee Street theatre moving forward with Rod Oden and has high hopes for the future. "The impact of losing Chris Speer as our Technical Director certainly has been felt these last couple of months. Chris had a work ethic that's difficult to find - particularly in the theatre. I believe we have found the same dedication with Rod. He's got a tremendous amount of design experience as well as construction, has worked with volunteers and created educational programs for young people in the area of technical theatre and stage management. He's a perfect fit for the team."

For over 18 years, Rod Oden has been bringing stories and stages to life with his professional and impactive design. Oden has designed for theaters from Los Angeles to New Orleans. He enjoys working alongside community members, volunteers and students to help grow and create professional experiences in the theatre. Previously, he worked as the Technical Director of the Actors Guild of Parkersburg in Parkersburg, WV. He has worked with countless community theatres, educational organizations and professional troupes to produce quality, high-end productions audiences have enjoyed watching.

"I am very excited to be joining the Lee Street Team and bringing my family to the beautiful town of Salisbury, NC." Oden said. "I hope to continue the professional and thought-provoking quality of shows that Lee Street already has a reputation for as well as continuing to improve and grow the theatre and volunteerism and its functions. I have always enjoyed working with volunteers at any level of theatrical experience and helping to develop a strong and reliable technical staff and crew for both shows as well as the building."

With Rod Oden on board, Lee Street theatre charges into 2018 with a powerful team ready to tackle the concluding half of Season 10. There are still many opportunities to experience the feeling of the #2 Best Live Theatre in NC. Lee Street theatre offers the following programs this year:

• Doubt: A Parable, Jan. 18-21 and 25-27, by John Patrick Shanley. The first of two plays this season presented by St. Thomas Players, "Doubt" explores the inextricable bond between faith and doubt when a steely nun accuses a beloved priest of molesting a child in her school.

• The Realistic Joneses, Feb. 22-24 and March 1-3, by Will Eno. Two neighboring couples, one last name, and one common fate, it seems. Kolkebeck explains that "rave New York reviews and Drama Desk and Dramalogue Awards brought this awkwardly funny and touching play by one of America's hottest playwrights to Lee Street."

• Running on Fire, April 19-21 and 26-28, by Aurin Squire. In this premiere play by Squire, a young college student is out for a jog when he is implicated in a crime spree. Kolkebeck says we're "staying true to Lee Street's mission of presenting new and challenging work. Aurin Squire's new play comes to us straight out of the O'Neill Theatre Center - THE leader in workshopping new plays with some of the country's top actors. We are honored to be the first theatre to produce the first fully realized production of this important work!"

• Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins, June 14-17 and 21-23, by Stephen Temperley. Must one have talent to be called an artist? The second show presented by St. Thomas Players follows the tone-deaf socialite and her long-suffering accompanist through all of the laughs on her way to stardom.

• Memphis, July 19-21 and 26-28, book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro; music and lyrics by David Bryan. The season closer follows the story of a white radio DJ who wants to change the world, and a black club singer who is ready for her big break. When reflecting on this choice of a season closer, Kolkebeck say that it is "a wonderful way to close out the season with this hot Tony Award-winning rock musical touted as 'what every Broadway musical should be."

The Realistic Joneses and Running On Fire will do more than showcase the talents of our community; they will continue to act as the first installment of the new CataLST internship featuring the talents of some of the top musical and technical theatre students from Catawba College. The Spring internship will feature Peyton Glendinning as Director of The Realistic Joneses, working alongside director Craig Kolkebeck as assistant director for the production. And will also feature Ada Rosado Valdez as Stage Manager for Running On Fire.

Lee Street's annual music revue will continue for its tenth season, as well, with performances May 3-6. The music revue started as a passion project between five friends in 2008 with a setlist of iconic 40s songs. Now, due to its popularity, the revue is evolving every year, with new performers and themes to whisk audiences away in an evening of musical fun.

Lee Street theatre's Season 10 Flex Passes are still available for purchase and for the first time ever the theatre is offering the option of Gift Cards which can be purchased online or over the phone. All performances will be held at Lee Street Theatre and Performing Arts Center at the Tom and Martha Smith Event Center on 329 N Lee Street, Salisbury, NC 28144. Visit www.leestreet.org or call 704-310-5507 for tickets and more information.

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