What we're all about is you—the student and parents.
Our organization's passion is to cultivate, through the performing arts, the talents, character, confidence, and spirit of excellence in youth, ages five through college. We provide youth with opportunities to perform in stage plays and musicals. Our learning environment is encouraging and family-friendly.
As a young person, being able to participate in live theater from a young age is one of the most enriching experiences one can have. That’s what we have been providing at Spotlight Productions OKC.
Hundreds of youth have learned what it is to take on a role, memorize lines and stage directions, and draw from their inner talents to make characters come entertainingly alive on stage.
We would like to help launch and further your theatrical experience. So, come on and join us!
"You've taught me so much. I'm very grateful for everything you do!"
—Cassie J.
"Thanks for giving me many leadership skills. They've made me come a long way! Love You!"
—Carter J.
About Us
"Thank you for everything. This experience has been amazing and means a lot to me."
—Trinity N.
Michelle Wood
Director
As a playwright and director, Missy Wood has transformed student actors into all kinds of entertaining characters and transported audiences to imaginary worlds of adventure, mystery and comedy. A thirty-five year veteran of directing stage programs and musicals, she has brought over 100 productions to life for audiences numbering in the thousands. Much loved, she has inspired students to pursue drama degrees in college and as a profession.
Ken Wood
Executive Director
Ken is the executive director and producer of Spotlight Productions OKC, coordinating all of Spotlight's musical theater productions from start to finish.
He is a produced screenwriter and triple threat playwright, composing book, lyrics and music.
He has produced musical performance numbers for grand-scale productions drawing 9,000 spectators per performance. He is the creator and producer of the new musical, BETWIXT AND BETWEEN, THE TRUE ORIGIN OF PETER PAN, currently being workshopped.
His Irish whistle album, Portals to Heaven, was awarded "Best Instrumental Album of the Year in 2010. He produced two subsequent instrumental albums, Acoustic Retreat I and Acoustic Retreat II.
He founded Ken Wood Advertising Agency at age 23 which became an award-winning jingle-writing, copywriting, and producing company.
Tia Self
Vocal Director
Tia Self is the music director at Spotlight. She directed Beauty and the Beast, Jr., The Music Man Jr., and Mary Poppins.
She holds a masters degree in music and has directed School orchestras and choirs in the Putnam City and Edmond public schools for many years.
Also a vocal instructor, Tia knows how to bring out the best in her students.
Liz Hedge grew up through the ranks of Spotlight Productions as a troupe member and transitioned to directing a few years ago. She recently played the role of Babette in Spotlight's production of Beauty and the Beast and has performed as an entertainer at Frontier City during Octoberfest.
Liz Hedge
Director
Reid Rowland
Director, Vocal Coach, Choreographer
An amazing musical theater actor, singer, dancer in her own right, Reid brings a special motivation to the students she directs. Her extensive training in numerous dance genres has made her one of the most innovative dance choreographers in OKC.
Reid has played several lead roles in musicals among which are Belle, in Spotlight's Beauty and the Beast, and Jasmine in Aladdin. She has also performed at Frontier City as a caroler during Holiday in the Park, and as a entertainer during Octoberfest.
Brooklyn Wood
Director
Brooklyn Wood is one of the original students of the first theater class that became Spotlight Productions OKC. She recently performed as Mrs. Pots in Spotlight's production of Beauty and the Beast. Her years of experience in acting give her a depth of understanding for directing that is unparalleled. Her specialty is helping students learn to speak and act from an emotional core. Her contributions to our student's performances are profound.
Samantha Russell
Choreographer
An amazing and innovative choreographer, Samantha Russell is from Hattiesburg, Mississippi where she completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance and Choreography at the University of Southern Mississippi in May, 2016 with Highest Honors. While at USM, Samantha was recognized in her department for Outstanding Junior and Most Memorable Senior Piece.
While completing her undergraduate degree, Samantha attended the American Dance Festival in Durham, North Carolina for two summers where she studied undernumerous artists including: Elizabeth Corbett (Forsythe Company), Jennifer Nugent (Bill T. Jones Company) Teena Marie Custer (Venus Fly Trap Crew), Pamela Pietro (Anthony Morgan Dance Company), Gerri Houlihan (Lar Lubovitch Dance Company) and Sherone Price (Chuck Davis African American Dance Ensemble).
Shortly after graduating from USM, Samantha moved to Edmond, Oklahoma to perform for a season with Arrows International Dance Company. Since moving to the OKC area, Samantha has taught at multiple studios where she loves sharing her passion for dance with her students and enjoys teaching many styles of dance including ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre, and contemporary. Samantha currently teaches at Ascend Studios and Spotlight Productions OKC.
Neí Bass
Guest Choreographer
Neí Bass choreographed Spotlight's Summer 2017 production of Beauty and the Beast, Jr., and Our Summer 2018 production of Mary Poppins.
She is a multi-award-winning performer who has a passion for choreography and for training young people and children in all types of dance for the Broadway stage.
J. Clayton Winters
Guest Director
J. Clayton Winters directed Spotlight’s spring musical, The Music Man, Jr.
He is a professional actor and member of Actors Equity Association. He is also a Lead Coach and Consultant of Audition Boss an online coaching service for High School, University, and Professional Theatre Artists.
As a performer Clayton has worked regionally in theaters Kansas to Connecticut and throughout much of the Southeast and Texas.
He has had the good fortune to work as part of the production team on projects at The Goodspeed Opera House (CT), Arena Stage (DC), Riverside Center of Performing Arts (VA), Virginia Rep (VA), Jenny Wiley Theatre (KY), and Great Plains Theatre (KS).
He is happy to be joining Spotlight and ready to help your students fall deeper in love with Theatre!