Theatre Under The Stars Names Clifford D. Alexander New Director of Education

Theatre Under The Stars (TUTS) has a new Director of Education, Clifford D. Alexander. As a core part of his role, Alexander will oversee the Humphreys School of Musical Theatre, a 46-year-old Houston institution that educates and develops musical theatre students of all ages and ambitions.

"We are thrilled to have Cliff overseeing the Humphreys School," said Dan Knechtges, Artistic Director of Theatre Under The Stars. "He brings with him a deep passion for the power of theatre in people's lives as well as a depth of experience in developing meaningful curriculum and building and overseeing a team of skilled teaching professionals."

Alexander has served as the head theatre director for two high schools in the Greater Houston Area. At Benjamin Davis High School in the Aldine School District, he started a new theatre program that encompassed performance, technical theatre, and film production. During his time there, he doubled the size of enrollment for the department, and his students earned local and national recognition. Prior to that position, he was instrumental in turning around the theatre arts department at Westfield High School in Spring ISD. Under his leadership, that program grew to over 300 students and garnered numerous awards.

"I believe theatre empowers, transforms lives, and is the venue to educate and bring people together," said Alexander.

While Alexander is from Houston, he spent several years in Los Angeles where he served as Associate Producer/Director for the touring productions Men Cry in the Dark and Maintenance Man. He has worked extensively in the film and theatre industries, for companies such as Paramount, Pepsi, Nike, Dreamworks and HBO.

Alexander holds a B.A. degree in Theatre from the University of Houston and a M.A. degree from Texas A&M University-Commerce. He is currently working on his Doctorate of Organizational Leadership - Conflict Resolution at Abilene Christian University.