Name:
Tom Huston Orr
Year Graduated:
1996
Degree:
M.F.A. in Acting
Favorite Memory of T&D:
The friendships developed. Lee Abraham's colorful use of language in a delicate explanation of the need to take a moment at a unit break, "Take a %#*&ing pause at the %#*&ing unit break!!!". The respect and love I developed for the faculty…especially Lee. The day Dr. Brockett explained to me that although I had received an A on a paper, I had indeed been graded on the "Actor's Curve".
Influential Professors or Classes:
Lee for his dedication to excellence of craft. For his dedication to me as a student and his willingness to push me, challenge me, and often parent me. Dr. Brockett for everything. And for being the Professor who saw absolutely everything. Dr. Brokaw's willingness to work with an actor as though he were a scholar. Dr. Nancarrow's laughter and guidance; his History of Décor class helps me everyday as a producer.
Current Hometown:
Norman, Oklahoma
Current Profession:
Director, School of Drama
Producer, University Theatre
The University of Oklahoma
Biography:
Tom has been acting, directing, setting stage combat, and teaching theatre skills for the last twenty two years. As an actor, Tom most recently appeared as Hamlet in the Oklahoma Summer Shakespeare Chautauqua's production of The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. Prior to that, he appeared as Clifford in the critically acclaimed production of Sideman at the Zachary Scott Theatre in Austin. New York credits include Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew, Stanley in The Glass Mendacity, Silvio in PVT. Wars, Horatio in Hamlet, Brat in Advice from a Caterpillar, the Narrator in Kafka's The Trial, and Jonathan Harker in Dracula, The Journals of Jonathan Harker. His work has been seen in theatres from Boston to Austin: The Caldwell Theatre in Florida where he played Jonathon in the regional premier of Snakebit, The Cape Cod Playhouse where he played Philip in The Lion in Winter, the North Shore Music Theatre, the Orlando Shakespeare Festival, the Ft. Worth Shakespeare Festival, the Fairfield Shakespeare Festival, the Hip Pocket Theatre, the State Theatre, the Zachary Scott Theatre, and over 25 productions with the Casa Manana Theatre where he served as a resident company actor and teacher for many years. Selected regional roles include Cole in Keely and Du (Critic's Table nomination for Best Supporting Actor), Prince Hal in Henry IV, p.I, Lysander in A Midsummer Night's Dream, Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet, Cliff in Cabaret, Dr. Johnny in Summer and Smoke, John Wilkes Booth in Two Booths and a Lincoln, Scarecrow in The Wizard of OZ, Gratiano in The Merchant of Venice, Petruchio in The Taming of the Shrew, Roy in Lone Star, and Jim in 110 in the Shade (Critic's Table Award for Best Actor), where he was lucky enough to play opposite his very talented wife, Robin Huston. He has shared the stage with other notable performers such as Debbie Reynolds, Van Johnson, Shelly Berman, Jon Amos, Dee Hoty, Cathy Rigby, Noel Harrison, Randal Duk Kim, Tom Poston and Tim Conway. Tom holds an M.F.A. in Theatre from the University of Texas, has worked in film and television, taught for the Professional Performing Arts School and The Actor's Institute, both in NYC, and is professionally affiliated with Actor's Equity Association, the Screen Actor's Guild, the Society of American Fight Directors and other industry organizations. Tom's directing and fight choreography credits include Noises Off, Texarkana Waltz, Harvey, The Crucible, Pippin, Macbeth, Henry IV, p1, Le Bourgeois Gentleman, Hamlet, Two Booths and a Lincoln, Man of La Mancha, My Favorite Year, The Pirates of Penzance, Metamorphoses, A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Zoo Story, West Side Story, Romeo and Juliet (5 times), Our Town, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, The Dining Room, The Hollow, The Odd Couple, and Crimes of the Heart. He is professionally represented by Sheplin Artists Management, NYC.
Tom is a tenured faculty member of the University of Oklahoma School of Drama where he serves a Director of the School and Producer/Artistic Director of University Theatre. His current research includes the development of a one-man piece entitled The Cherokee Kid, the Wit and Wisdom of Will Rogers. He is lucky to be married to Robin Huston and equally lucky to be the father of Henry (5) and Harper (1).
