Stuart E. Omans, Ph.D. (Founding Artistic Director/ Director Emeritus) - Dr. Omans was the founding Artistic Director of the Festival. He is also past Chairman of the Department of English and Professor of English at the University of Central Florida. Much of his career has been spent teaching, writing about, directing, or acting in Shakespeare's plays in formal academic environments as well as less formal ones; Simply Shakespeare, the Elderhostel Program, and the Festival's Young Company.  He has twice been awarded directorships by the National Endowment for the Humanities, Danforth and Newberry Fellowships and has been Master Artist at the Atlantic Center for the Arts. Omans was the visionary force behind the creation of the festival and served as the Artistic Director for the first six years.  He recently published a new book (with Professor Maurice O'Sullivan), Shakespeare Plays in the Classroom, including and introductory essay by Fred Rogers (of the television show, Mr. Rogers). It is published by Pineapple Press. He is currently working on a new book, tentatively titled, Can Such Things BE?

                                                                 Last Updated: 05/06/2007                    Copyright Orlando Shakespeare Theater