Peter Sham
Professor of Theatre Arts | Southern Utah University
Cedar City, UT, UNITED STATES
Specializing in Suzuki movement, directing and producing musical theatre, and character development for actors
Biography
Peter Sham is associate professor of theatre at Southern Utah University. He’s been a regional actor/director for over 35 years, and is known nationally and internationally for his work as bookwriter/lyricist for "Lend Me A Tenor The Musical" (Brad Carroll, composer), which celebrated a successful run at the Gielgud Theatre on London’s West End and is currently enjoying first class productions throughout Germany, Australia and in select theatres across the United States.
Most recently Sham wrote the book, music and lyrics for "Under Construction: The Blue Collar Musical!" which had its world premiere at The Neil Simon Festival, summer 2017. Professor Sham is the author of the musicals Toyland, and It’s a Dog’s Life: Man’s Best Musical, and the plays A Christmas Carol: On The Air (also written with Brad Carroll), its sequel Frankenstein: On The Air, Shakespeare’s Moby Dick, a classical adaptation of Herman Melville’s American novel, and Killer Kane (written with William Peter Blatty – The Exorcist).
A veteran regional and off-Broadway actor for over 35 years, he was a principal member of the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival for 12 seasons, and has performed at such places as The Neil Simon Festival (for which he now serves as artistic director), Asolo Theatre, Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, Studio Arena Theatre, Eastside Playhouse, Perry Street Theatre & Artpark.
Sham has directed over 85 productions throughout the Eastern United States and Utah and has served as artistic director of the Eichelberger Performing Arts Center in Hanover, Pennsylvania and Bristol Valley Playhouse in Naples, New York.
Sham earned a master of fine arts in acting from the University of Delaware.
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Industry Expertise (4)
Graphic Design
Performing Arts
Education/Learning
Writing and Editing
Areas of Expertise (11)
Stage Direction
Voice and Speech Training
Directing Musical Theater
Voice Over
Producing
Musical Theatre
Playwriting
Lyricist
Artistic Direction
Producing Musical Theater
Character Development for Actors
Education (1)
University of Delaware: M.F.A., Acting
Accomplishments (7)
Artistic Director (professional)
Neil Simon Festival
Excellence in Theatre Education Award (professional)
Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, 2013
Scholar of the Year (professional)
Southern Utah University, 2013
Board of Trustees Award for Excellence (professional)
Southern Utah University, 2012
Professor of the Year (professional)
Southern Utah University, 2012
Director of the Year
SUU Theatre Arts & Dance
Michael & Jan Finlayson Award
Utah Shakespeare Festival
Affiliations (3)
- Actor's Equity Association
- American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers
- Voice and Speech Trainers Association
Links (4)
Media Appearances (10)
To Catch a Thief to be Adapted Into a New Musical
Broadway World online
2023-04-05
Perry Street Theatricals has announced plans for a new musical, To Catch a Thief, which hopes to arrive on the London or New York stage sometime in the 2026-27 season. The new musical will be composed by Kevin Purcell (Rebecca: The Musical and The Stranger of Seville), with a book and lyrics by Peter Sham (Lend Me A Tenor: The Musical and Sherlock Holmes and the Great Royal Goose Chase!).
Hunterdon Hills Playhouse celebrates 40th anniversary with ‘Sherlock Holmes Returns!’
NJ.Com online
2022-03-07
According to the Hunterdon Hills Playhouse, “You’ll laugh and cheer and maybe even become a suspect in this merry mystery, musical farce. Depicting Holmes & Watson with an uproarious Abbott & Costello flair, the musical is written by Peter Sham and Brad Carroll, award-winning authors of the West End hit, ‘Lend Me A Tenor: The Musical.’”
Playbill Vault's Today in Theatre History: June 15
Playbill online
2021-06-15
2011 Lend Me a Tenor The Musical, based on the hit Ken Ludwig stage comedy, opens in London at the West End's Gielgud Theatre. The musical features a book and lyrics by Peter Sham and music by Brad Carroll.
'Lend Me a Tenor: The Musical' next up at Solvang Festival Theater
Santa Ynez Valley News online
2021-05-19
PCPA's production of "Lend Me a Tenor: The Musical" opens at the Solvang Festival Theater on Thursday, July 6, and plays through July 23. A brand new musical comedy by Peter Sham and PCPA's Brad Carroll, this tale of mistaken identities and unexpected romance is based on the play by Ken Ludwig.
‘Frankenstein on the Air’ Should Become a New Tradition
Iron County Today online
2017-11-03
A sequel, of sorts, to Peter Sham and Brad Carroll’s regionally popular “A Christmas Carol On the Air,” “Frankenstein On the Air” is written and adapted by Peter Sham from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and Orson Welles’ radio play “War of the Worlds” by H.G.Wells. Characters from the original “A Christmas Carol On the Air” make a comeback in this all new radio broadcast that includes a radio play, sci-fi alien invasion newscast scare, a cooking show, a quiz show and even a word from the sponsors sung in clever jingles by three Scare-O-lettes.
Simon Fest’s Frankenstein On the Air Brings Plenty of Humor and Halloween Fun to Southern Utah
Front Row Reviewers Utah online
2017-10-28
I had the absolute pleasure of attending the premiere of the Neil Simon Festival’s new Frankenstein On the Air, performed wonderfully at The Heritage Center Theater in Cedar City. Upon entering, audience members are delighted by the performance space and the open yet cozy feel of The Heritage Center. The stage was adorned in spider webs, pumpkins, gourds, and cornucopias, instantly setting the mood for the season and possibly encouraging cravings for a pumpkin spice latte. The set is completed by the “ON THE AIR” and “APPLAUSE” signs hanging from ceiling and the foley table centering the stage that provides all the wonderful sound effects for the show, certainly giving an old-time “on the air” radio show environment.
Nuance threads its way through 'Broadway Bound'
The Spectrum
2017-08-31
When you write what you know there’s always a better chance of telling an authentic story. Perhaps that’s why Neil Simon’s “Eugene trilogy” is so inherently moving. The three-play series tells the semiautobiographical story of Eugene Jerome, a young man based on the playwright himself.
Stellar songs anchor new 'Under Construction' musical
The Spectrum online
2017-08-25
Don’t assume that with “Under Construction: The Blue Collar Musical,” which has its world premiere this season at the Neil Simon Festival in Cedar City. Playwright Peter Sham has strong credentials. After all, his “Lend Me A Tenor: The Musical,” co-written with composer Brad Carroll, premiered locally at the Utah Shakespeare Festival and eventually went on to London’s West End.
Sham delivers ‘Under Construction: The Blue Collar Musical’ at Neil Simon Festival
Iron County Today online
2017-08-04
Peter Sham is at it again — writing an out of the box play and releasing it as a world premiere musical on Cedar City’s theatre scene. “Under Construction: The Blue Collar Musical," Sham’s latest musical, is making its debut at the Neil Simon Festival’s 2017 season. Sham fills the roles of playwright, lyricist and co-director for this touchingly funny production.
Neil Simon Festival announces new artistic director
USA Today online
2016-09-26
It’s only been a couple of months since the 2016 season of the Neil Simon Festival wrapped up, but there’s already big news about coming projects. Peter Sham, who has worked with the festival for a few seasons now, has been announced as the new artistic director for the Cedar City-based theater festival. He will replace festival founder Richard Bugg, who will continue to work with the festival as its executive producer.
Courses (3)
THEA 1033 Acting I
An intensive studio approach to introduce the student to the basic principles of acting and its artistry through vocal and physical awareness, character development, and analysis.
THEA 3131 Professional Aspects of Theatre
Specialized course designed for those intending to enter the professional theatre. Special topics and techniques are taught by faculty and professional artisans in a variety of areas such as: performance, audition, design, management, and technical areas in preparation for pursuing post baccalaureate employment or graduate studies.
THEA 3613 Directing I
A methods course designed for the beginning directing student. Students will learn the terminology and fundamentals of stage direction.
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