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Peter Sham - Southern Utah University. Cedar City, UT, US

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.

Spotlight

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Media

Publications:

Peter Sham Publication Peter Sham Publication

Documents:

Photos:

loading image Peter Sham, Southern Utah University Student Induction loading image loading image Commencement 2023 loading image Teaching Class loading image

Videos:

Major Decisions: Theatre How to Be A Successful Professor - Peter Sham Voices from the Library #1: Library Interview with Peter Sham Shakespeare Festival, Fred Adams, and the SUU BFA program | Cedar City, UT

Audio/Podcasts:

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

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!).

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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.’”

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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.

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'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.

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‘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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.