Spartan Profiles: John Lepard

WILLIAMSTON THEATRE

            Assuming there are voices in the Midwest worth hearing, how can one assemble them at a theatre that is accessible and affordable?  Ann Arbor has Purple Rose Theatre in nearby Chelsea, and now East Lansing boasts the Williamston Theatre just 11 miles east.  John Lepard, ’88, whose acting credits range from film and television to live theatre off-Broadway, is executive director of the new theater, working alongside three colleagues who are also alumni of the Purple Rose. 

            “It’s coming along great,” Lepard says of the new theater (see www.williamstontheatre.org).  “It has grown incrementally and we’ve built our audience every step of the way.”  He notes that recent production Rounding Third sold out its last week, and their holiday show, Every Christmas Story Ever Told, was a complete sellout.  “It’s scary any time you try something new, but I’m really excited about this,” says John.  “Just like Chelsea, this is a great location, being near MSU and I-96. This year we employed 57 people, ranging from actors to set designers to writers.”

            A native of Haslett, John credits MSU with helping him discover what he wanted to do in theater.  “Acting,” he says.  “I realized I had the chops to do it.” 

            He credits Frank Rutledge, Joyce Ramsey and Dixie Durr with being great influences.  “Dixie Durr had a great work ethic,” John recalls.  “When she directed a production, you really got some direction.  She didn’t let you get away with anything.” 

            John got his Screen Actors Guild card while doing commercial and industrial films, then spent seven years in California, where he acted in TV dramas, soap operas and independent films.  Now that he’s back in Michigan, he looks forward to fulfilling the Williamston Theatre’s mission of “telling stories for and about people in this part of the world.”