Laura Byland began teaching at OBU in 1992 and has served as Director of Theatre since 2001. Not only has Laura created outstanding scenic and lighting designs for numerous collegiate, community and commercial theatres, she has also designed make-up and costumes as well as directed productions. She developed and is the director of OBU's Theatre for Young Audiences which presents a children's production each spring semester that is performed for nearly 3000 area students. She is currently the faculty co-sponsor for OBU's chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, the National Theatre Honor Society and College Players, a campus-wide social organization open to theatre and non-theatre majors. Awards include a KCACFT( Kennedy Center American College Theatre Fesitval) award for Excellence in Set Design, The University of Oklahomas School of Drama award for Outstanding Lighting Design and the Outstanding Young College Educator by the Oklahoma Speech, Theatre Communiction Association. Laura and her husband, Dr. David Byland, have three daughters.
Educational Background: B.A., Hiram College M.A., Oklahoma State University M.F.A., University of Oklahoma
Courses Taught: CMAR 2403: Literature Analysis and Interpretation THEA 1183: Foundations of Theatre Arts THEA 2603: Costume Design THEA 2613: Makeup Design THEA 2653: Theatre for Young Audiences: Early Childhood THEA 2803: Scene Design THEA 2923: London Theatre Studies THEA 3623: Lighting Design THEA 3803: Scene Painting THEA 3653: Theatre for Young Audiences: Late Childhood THEA 4753: Advanced Design
Selected Publications and/or Professional Activities: Christians in Theatre Arts (CITA)
Oklahoma Speech, Theatre, Comm. Arts Association (OSTCA)