Coleman Ray Clark (he/him) is a director and artistic leader who splits time between New York City and San Diego. He is a frequent collaborator and creator of new plays and musicals and loves taking risks.
CURRENT:
- Directing THE SPONGEBOB MUSICAL at Marymount Manhattan College, running Nov. 16-19, 2023.
- Developing M. Can Yasar’s new musical ONLY PLACE I BELONG, which had its world-premier at The Tank last year.
- Directing Elizabeth Addison’s debut concert presentation of her new musical IN BETWEEN… at 54 Below.
- Leading The What Co., an artistic laboratory for innovative theatermakers who collectively pursue the creation of brave, bold, socially relevant, and uncompromising plays.
- Serving as an ongoing Artistic Producer for The Dramatists Guild of America.
AS A DIRECTOR:
Most recently, Coleman directed his reenvisioned SWEENEY TODD (Arts One Presents) near his hometown in Northwest Arkansas. Recent directing of new plays and musicals includes M. Can Yasar’s folk-musical ONLY PLACE I BELONG (The Tank), Bailey Lee’s PAPA (New Hazlett Theater); BLUE MARBLE: OR THE OWEN PLAY written by Bailey Lee, Chris Holtkamp, and himself (The What Co.); Steve Yockey’s PARADE featuring Academy Award-winner Jaime Ray Newman and Patch Darragh (The 24 Hour Plays: Viral Monologues); and Lizz Bogaard’s virtual short-play WAZE (Playdate Theatre).
In March 2019, Coleman directed and produced a site-specific, sold-out limited run of BARE (St. John’s Lutheran Church), which became known as “Bare in The Church” to fans of the cult classic. Later, he associate produced BARE: THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION with Kristin Hanggi, featuring Michael Arden, Jenna Leigh Green, and more.
As an educator, Coleman directed JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR and ALL SHOOK UP (Fordham University’s Mimes and Mummers), AMÉLIE (Trevor Day School), and SOLASTALGIA (Marymount Manhattan College). With students, he has experience incorporating elements of theatrical intimacy, fight choreography, puppetry, movement, and voice.
AS AN ARTISTIC LEADER:
In 2022, Coleman worked as a management assistant at the theatrical general management firm 101 Productions on the Broadway and Touring productions of DEAR EVAN HANSEN, PRETTY WOMAN, SOME LIKE IT HOT, FOR COLORED GIRLS…, PLAZA SUITE, and more. He coordinated schedules, budgets, and logistics with company managers, stage managers, associate directors, press and marketing, and music teams.
From 2016-2021, Coleman worked in various positions at The 24 Hour Plays. While in his lead role as Deputy Director, Coleman produced (and occasionally directed) THE 24 HOUR PLAYS: VIRAL MONOLOGUES, praised by The New York Times as “artifact[s] of a disconnected time.”
Also with The 24 Hour Plays, Coleman developed partner relationships with Pride Plays/Michael Urie, Broadway Advocacy Coalition, Developing Artists, and more. He co-produced THE MANIC MONOLOGUES (Drama League Award nominee) with McCarter Theatre Center/Debbie Bisno; Lisa Loeb and Beth Wishnie’s musical TOGETHER APART (raising over $35,000 for The Actors Fund); J. Holtham’s HUMAN EVENTS for The America Democracy Project; and THE DRAMATISTS GUILD OF AMERICA/FOUNDATION AND THE LILLYS AWARDS 2020.
GROWING UP:
Coleman was raised in Northwest Arkansas, where he was known to his relatives as “Johnny from Springdale,” a character he created at age two while wearing his grandmother’s boots and cowboy hat, and speaking with a thick country dialect. In high school, Coleman founded New Threshold Theatre, a youth-run theater company focused on bringing a professional edge to youth theater. In three years, they produced seven full-length plays and musicals, culminating in his production of INTO THE WOODS.
EDUCATION:
Graduate of Marymount Manhattan College (BA in Theatre, with a concentration in Directing and a minor in Business Management). UNCSA Drama (pursued a BFA in Directing, one year). SDC Associate Member and alumnus of the SDC Foundation intern program. 2019-2021 Manhattan Theatre Club Jonathan Alper Directing Fellow.
Coleman has additional training from BLIND SPOT for perceiving and dismantling racial inequity, The Transgender Training Institute for supporting and affirming Transgender and Non-Binary people, Event Safety Alliance for COVID pathogen preparedness, and Arts & Sciences for COVID Compliance Officer (CCO) & COVID Safety Training for Theatre Production.
Colemans brings creativity and joy to everything he does.
Most of all, he enjoys forming meaningful relationships with artists and taking chances. You’ll never catch him doing the same thing twice.