About Us

Board of Directors

Preseident: Caroline Akers

Vice President: Misti White

Treasurer: Christi Sutherland

Secretary: Stephanie Stewman

Members

Win Emmons III

Melinda Adams

Pat Atkins

Hector Sabido

Ansuya Abnoussi

Katie Selman-Green

Cris Houston

Melli Wicliff

Caeli Terrazas

Wanda Kennedy

Jocelyn Williams

Advisory Council

Carolyn Haferkamp

Roman Novian

Erin DuBois

General Counsel Pro Bono: Matthew Wright

Mission Statement

The Mission of the Waco Civic Theatre, a non-profit organization, is to provide the Heart of Texas community with quality live theatre, to create an outlet for community education and participation in all aspects of productions, and to instill in the community a sense of pride and ownership in the theatre.

About Us

OUR History

The Beginning

The roots of Waco Civic Tehatre date back to the 1920s when the work of many enlightened citizens combined to form Waco Little Theatre, which operated  from 1925 to 1936. In 1945, then chairman of the Baylor University Drama Department, Dr. Paul Baker, and a team of WLT participants worked to reform the organization that would take the shape of Waco Civic Theatre (WCT) three years later. In 1955, Waco Civic Theatre was granted its non-profit status as a 501(c)(3).

Its own entity

Dr. Paul Baker collaborated with architect James Hull Miller of Shreveport, LA to design and build the new WCT at its current locale. So noteworthy was the success of their teamwork that the new theatre was commended in 1963 by the Journal of the Royal Institute of British Architects as one of the three best-designed theatres of its kind in the United States. Over the years, WCT has undergone several additons and renovations, thanks to grants and donations by the Bernard and Audre Rapoport Foundation; The Cooper Foundation; The Waco Foundation; and Mr. Frank Baird Jr. of Buffalo, NY in an endowment honoring his mother, Mrs. Flora Cameron Baird.

Currently

The Mission of the Waco Civic Theatre, a non-profit organization, is to provide the Heart of Texas community with quality live theatre, to create an outlet for community education and participation in all aspects of productions, and to instill in the community a sense of pride and ownership in the theatre.

OUR STAFF

Eric Shephard: Executive Director

Eric has been the Executive Director since 2013. He joined WCT after 13 years as Artistic Director of Killeen’s Vive Les Arts Theatre and holds a Master’s Degree in Theatre Directing from Baylor University. You may have seen him in a few of our productions, most recently, Outside Mullingar.

Chaz Macklin: Technical Director

Chaz is the set wizard! He joined the team in spring of 2021 and came on staff the following August. He programs the lights, designs the sets, constructs everything (with the help of volunteers), and is mastering the sound system. His most recent sets include The Light in the Piazza, Outside Mullingar, and Legally Blonde Jr., among many. His favorite show is Something Rotten but his dream role is The Carnival Barker from Assassins.

Clarissa Pompa: Diversity & Outreach Coordinator/PR Specialist

Clarissa is a Baylor graduate with a degree in Journalism. Originally the PR intern in 2016 for WCT, she made a joyful return in 202 as a social media contractor. Today she is eager to have our stage reflect our community and emphasize the importance of representation in the arts. You can normally see her around town loudly proclaiming the merits of The Lightning Thief Musical. Clarissa is also a Jeopardy enthusiast.

Piper McDonald: Box Office Manager

Piper earned a Bachelor of Arts in Contemporary and Applied Theatre Studies at Mary Immaculate College in Limerick, Ireland. She is the master of our calendar. From scheduling our spaces to coordinating rehearsals and events, Piper’s your contact! You can also see Piper stage managing multiple shows around town with Silent House. Her favorite playwright is Harold Pinter.

Phillip Diaz: Administrative Assistant/Graphic Designer

Phillip went to University of Mary Hardin-Baylor for Music Education. You may have seen Phillip on the WCT stage before but he’s found his footing as a director, including Rent, 39 Steps, multiple cabarets, and the upcoming Native Gardens. His favorite show is The Last Five Years

Melissa Lohr: Youth Theatre Coordinator

Melissa is the go-to person for all the WCT youth theatre happenings. If you’re wondering about classes, camps, youth shows and more – she does it all. When not teaching classes you can typically find Melissa music directing, stage managing, or running sound for shows (both youth and mainstage). Her favorite show is Songs For A New World, but her dream role is Mary Poppins. 

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