Director and educator Rachel Stevens joins CCM's faculty
Stevens will serve as CCM’s Visiting Assistant Professor of Acting in Musical Theatre
UC College-Conservatory of Music Interim Dean Jonathan Kregor has announced the addition of Rachel M. Stevens to the college’s roster of distinguished performing and media arts faculty members. Stevens begins her new role as CCM’s Visiting Assistant Professor of Acting in Musical Theatre on Aug. 15, 2023.
A director, developer, educator and acting coach originally from Philadelphia, Stevens has called New York City home for more than a decade. She was assistant director on the Broadway run of the Tony Award-winning musical Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812. Her Off-Broadway credits include Smart Blonde (associate director, 59E59) and Preludes (assistant director, Lincoln Center Theater, LCT3), and her New York directing and devising credits include work with The Civilians' R&D Group, SheNYC Festival, NYMF, Theatre Now, TheaterWorksUSA and New York Film Academy.
Her regional credits include a production of Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 at American Repertory Theatre directed by Rachel Chavkin and The Bandstand at Paper Mill Playhouse directed by Andy Blankenbuehler, along with productions at Quantum Theatre, City Theatre Company and Front Porch Theatricals.
Stevens has also directed and taught at Point Park University’s Pittsburgh Playhouse, Oakland University. and Concordia College. Her teaching artist and guest lecturer experience includes work at University of the Arts, The Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University, Point Park University, Musical Theater College Auditions (MTCA), The Broadway Jr. Program, Upper Darby Summer Stage, Imagination Stage, Young Playwrights and ArtStream Access Theater.
Most recently, Stevens served on the musical theater faculty at Oakland University (Rochester, MI). In her role as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Theatre, she directed mainstage, children’s theatre and the New Student Showcase. Stevens also served as faculty advisor for Oakland University’s inaugural Kaleidoscope Cabaret—featuring students of the global majority, she led as Chair of the DEI Committee for the School of Music, Theatre and Dance—and she spearheaded the direction for that university’s first ever sensory-friendly relaxed performance.
Stevens holds her BFA in Musical Theatre from Point Park University, her MFA from the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University and is a proud SDC associate.
Her artistry stems from her commitment to the Hebrew adage of "Tikkun Olam," or "to repair the world." Her guiding purpose as a director, educator and mentor is to cultivate brave spaces where artists can unabashedly create from their authentic selves, collaborate from a place of trust and lead with compassion.
"To educate and inspire the whole artist and scholar for positions on the world stage requires exceptional, experienced pedagogues," said Kregor. "Rachel Stevens brings this exact kind of well-roundedness to her new role with CCM Musical Theatre. I would like to thank CCM faculty members Rebecca Bromels, Vincent DeGeorge, Diane Lala and Keyona Willis for their help in bringing Rachel to CCM for this visiting appointment."
Next Lives Here
At the University of Cincinnati, we realize the impact our teaching, research, artistry and service can have on our community and the world. So, we don’t wait for change to happen. We break boundaries, boldly imagine and create what’s Next. To us, today’s possibilities spark tomorrow’s reality. That’s why we are leading urban public universities into a new era of innovation and impact, and that's how we are defining Next for the performing and media arts.
We're about engaging people and ideas - and transforming the world.
We are UC. Welcome to what's Next.
Featured image at top: Rachel Stevens performs in A New Brain at Oakland University. Photo/Chuck Cloud
Additional Contacts
Rebecca Butts | Assistant Public Information Officer
buttsrl@ucmail.uc.edu | 513-556-2675
Related Stories
Hillel Holds Memorial for Daniel Pearl
March 5, 2002
The wailing of the noon civil defense sirens March 6 began a somber UC service in memory of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl.
University Pavilion: On The Move
November 14, 2002
University Pavilion, the second anchor of MainStreet to open for business this fall, is now filling up with workers across student service offices. The move started Nov. 4 into the $32 million, six-story building designed by Leers Weinzapfel Associates and GBBN Architects. Construction started on the building in January 2001.
Discover New Delights at CCM's 'Moveable Feast'
January 7, 2003
Sample old favorites and discover what's new at CCM in an evening of drama, opera, musical theater, chamber and orchestral music, and more.
'Marriage of Figaro' To Open Opera Season
January 23, 2003
Guest Director Paula Williams leads CCM opera students in this timeless tale, opening Feb. 13.
'The Wild Party' On Stage Feb. 27-March 9
January 27, 2003
CCM presents Andrew Lippa's racy musical, set in the roarin' '20s.
CCM To Perform Dvorak's 'Stabat Mater'
January 27, 2003
CCM faculty members will be featured soloists in this rarely performed work.
Documentary Gives Voice to Architects
February 4, 2003
University of Cincinnati professors have designed a documentary that describes the professional life of architects. Next, they'll record the views of those involved in Zaha Hadid's Contemporary Arts Center.
Opera Studio Offers Free Double Bill
February 13, 2003
CCM graduate student Chía Patiño's "Dreamwalker" featured in March 7-8 studios.
Willkommen to Campus, AWL Middle Schoolers
February 13, 2003
The German Studies department is reaching out to students at a nearby public school.
CCM Performance Features 80-Voice Chorus
February 13, 2003
Winter choral concert features classical, jazz and popular compositions.