Choreography:
Clare Cooke

Actively involved in the theatre since 1973, Clare has worked as director, choreographer, and producer. During her career at the Palace and throughout central Ohio, she has choreographed Oliver! (2 times), Oklahoma! (2 times), Dames at Sea, My Fair Lady, The King and I, Annie (2 times), The Sound of Music, Hello, Dolly! (2 times), The Boyfriend, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, Guys and Dolls, Li'l Abner, Funny Girl, Little Shop of Horrors (2 times), The Music Man (2 times), My One and Only, 42nd Street (once was enough!), Anything Goes (2 times), Carousel (2 times), State Fair, and Christmas at the Palace (7 times). In addition, she has directed Is There Life After High School? (3 times!), A Chorus Line, To Ula, With Love, and Christmas at the Palace (4 times). Her all time favorites are 42nd Street, My One and Only, and State Fair. Clare is the founder and Artistic Director for Shooting Stars Youth Theatre, a theatre enrichment program for area youth, ages 6-17. The youth theatre will begin its fifth season in January with its final performance being held at the Palace Theatre in March. For the past 6 years, Clare has been the marketing director for Southland Mall. She and her husband, John, are parents to son, David, and daughter-in-law, Kim, and daughter, Kristi, and son-in-law, Joe. They are the very proud grandparents of Matthew and Casey Cooke and Sadie and Tanner Wink. Clare would like to thank Ula for years of theatre and personal guidance and George, Carol, Johnny, and Don for making this wild and wacky thing w do so much fun! She would also like to congratulate her husband on his retirement from 35 years of service with GTE/Verizon. After 12 years of numerous trips back and forth to Tampa, welcome home! (Fore!) This one's for you! Thanks to all who support the performing arts! You are greatly needed and appreciated.

Orchestra Conductor:
George Schram

George has directed pit orchestras, entire musical productions, and has played as a pit musician for over 40 shows, during these thirty-four professional years in the Marion community. For the Palace, he conducted the orchestra for Oklahoma!, The King and I, My Fair Lady, My One and Only, Annie, Hello, Dolly!, Anything Goes, To Ula, With Love, and Christmas at the Palace I, II, III, and IV, and combined both orchestra and show directing for The Music Man, 42nd Street, Carousel, State Fair, and last year's production of Annie. George and his wife, Caroline, organized the first dinner theatre to be staged in the Harding Court Yard and also conducted the show's orchestra. His dinner theatre productions at River Valley High School included Oklahoma!, Guys and Dolls, Li'l Abner, Anything Goes, Hello, Dolly!, and Carousel, to name a few. George is the co-founder, with Vern Heimlich, of the Palace Theatre Big Band, and a member of the John Kennedy Orchestra and the Dixie Krauts. He is the acting instructor for Shooting Stars Youth Theatre. George is a graduate of the Capital University Conservatory of Music and received his Master of Arts from the Ohio State University. He retired as a music educator having taught a combined thirty-three years in the River Valley Local and Marion City Schools and is currently a visual specialist for the JCPenney Company at Southland Mall and is an educational consultant at M City Music. George and Caroline are the parents of Heidi who resides in Chicago. "All phases of the theatrical experience are rewarding. Most of all, I thank Ula for getting me started, Clare for the dedicated excellence in production, and Caroline and Heidi for the support to make a difference in the quality of life in the Arts in Marion."

Vocal Director:
Johnny Steiner

Johnny is thrilled to be sitting in the vocal-director's chair for the third year in a row here at the glorious Palace Theatre. Raised in magnificent Green Camp, Johnny is 27 years old and lives in Columbus. He is a vocalist, a pianist, a conductor, an arranger, a songwriter, and a voice teacher. He is also and accomplished dancer, a stunning racquetball player, and a master of the culinary arts. Watch for him on HBO Sunday night, August 26th. "Love to Mom, Dad, Greg, and my cat, Jack."

Costume Designer:
Lyn Giles

Lyn immigrated to the US in 1979 after spending 12 years in the clothing manufacturing industry in her native England. While managing a costume manufacturing company in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, she began working in the costume department of the Florentine opera Company that fulfilled a life time dream to work in the theater. Over a period of 15 years, Lyn held various positions with the Florentine Opera, including wardrobe mistress. This was the position she held when she left the Florentine, 2 years ago, to fulfill another dream of owning her own costume manufacturing studio. Currently she is president of ProMo Costumes, Inc., in Marion, where she designs and manufactures an assortment of mascots, theatrical costumes, and puppets for customers around the country. Lyn was also the costume designer for last years production of Annie.

Set Designer:
Don Wolfe

Don is finishing his 30th year with the Marion City Schools. He has distinguished himself as being creative with his activities at Harding. Don has designed and built 37 sets for musicals and plays on the stage of the Palace for Harding. His creativity extends to other activities with 16 national awards for prom design and theme. With eighteen years as Marching Band Director, the Harding Band is known for its "Broadway on the field" style using most Broadway themes as the basis for the competitive shows. The Harding Band has gone to State OMEA finals for the last 12 years, and has traveled to many post season college bowl games where the Broadway shows have earned grand champion 5 times. During the winter months Don joins the staff of Oliver! in the enrichment program for youth called "Shooting Stars". Don played the part of Daddy Warbucks last year in the production of Annie. He has built the sets for South Pacific, State Fair, Annie, and this year Oliver!.