Theatre Faculty

 

Leslie Coates, Department Chair, Theatre
[email protected]  Office BOE 728 

Leslie Coates received a B.F.A in Theatre from Emporia State University and an M.F.A. in Musical Theatre from San Diego State University.

Leslie founded and operated the not-for-profit Gamaliel Theatre Company producing original musicals, new plays, interpretations of Shakespeare plays using small ensemble casts, and experimental theatre utilizing oral interpretation, music, and movement.

As an actor, credits include various roles at Lamb’s Players Theatre Company in San Diego, CA, Seacoast Repertory Theatre in Portsmouth, NH, Forum Theatre Company in Wichita, KS.

Leslie worked for the United Methodist Church serving two years in Milford, New Hampshire and then nine years at First United Methodist Church in Wichita, Kansas. While working in churches, he designed several experimental worship experiences integrating music, video, poetry, and food. A few favorite projects working in church communities include a staging of Archibald MacLeish’s Pulitzer prize winning play, J.B., developing an annual collaborative Blue Christmas Worship Experience with Forum Theatre Company, leading the small worship community The Gathering at Mead’s Corner, and supporting the weekly live television broadcast of Downtown Alive aired every Sunday morning on KAKE TV.

To balance the chaos of work, Leslie enjoys escaping to the outdoors with his wire-hired wonder dog, Pippin. Hunting and fishing provide a chief outlet for stress as well as inspiration for his writing practice.

 

Caden Runnalls, Theatre Department Technical Director
[email protected]  Office BOE 735

Caden received associate degrees in Mass Communications and Technical Theatre from Butler Community College, studying under Butler Chair of Theatre Bob Peterson and Bernie Wonsettler. During his time, he both acted and worked extensively backstage.

Caden is also a producer and editor, working in addition with podcast host Justin Wieland as his Co-Host, content producer, and video editor for the Seeking Context Podcast.

As an actor, Caden has played roles like the children's show original character, “Alvin the Alligator”. He was awarded Best Actor for his portrayal of “Robin of Locksley” in “Sherwood: The Adventure of Robin Hood”. Also receiving best Supporting Actor for Gus in “The Ballad of Kate the Shrew”

As a technician, Caden has worked as Special Effects supervisor and Artistic AdvisOR for multiple productions. Specializing in Effects and Sound Design. Leading the Technical Theatre Department in large scale construction and engineering. Also creating many of the graphics and poster designs used for productions. Along with promotional videos for the FAC. Also reviving a video Mockumentary around Butler Theatre students, Fly In The Theatre.

Many frequently hear the phrase from staff and colleagues when developing new digital and design concepts, “Just make Caden do it.

 

Erin Urick, Theatre Department Temporary Faculty

Erin M Urick is an award-winning performer and stage manager. Born in Colorado and raised as an Army Brat, they have lived and worked in theaters all over the country - touring nationally with the Magik Children’s Theatre of Texas as Mom in If You Give A Moose A Muffin; as an in-house stage manager for St Philip's College in San Antonio; as well as stage managing for regional houses such as The Public Theatre San Antonio and the Rose Theatre Company in San Antonio TX, Shakespeare on the Rocks in El Paso TX, Playhouse 1960 in Houston TX, Florida Shakespeare, and ICT Rep in Wichita, Kansas. They currently serve on the Board of ICT Rep, and recently worked as Production Stage Manager for ROXY’S Downtown.

 

Erin holds a BA from Texas State University and an MFA in Stage Management from the University of Idaho. They also work as a fight choreographer and intimacy director, actively pursuing certification in stage intimacy with Intimacy Directors and Coordinators (IDC). Erin has received several awards for performance, including recognitions from the Alamo Theatre Arts Council (ATAC) in San Antonio for their role as Suzette in Don’t Dress for Dinner and BroadwayWorld Awards for their performances as Lenny McGrath in Crimes of the Heart and Elmira in Edgar Allan Poe’s NEVERMORE, as well as Best Direction for the musical COMPANY. As a director, Erin has advocated for producing both new works and established classics as well as diversity in storytelling. Their new work oeuvre includes the world premiere of The Lady of Shalott and 24-Hour Play Fests, musicals such as COMPANY and Little Shop of Horrors, as well as The Vagina Monologues at Lone Star College in support of HerVoice.