Meet Laurie Houser Vice President of Theater Operations at The Theater at North in Scranton
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aurie Houser has a wide variety of experience in the performing arts. She has developed a comprehensive knowledge of various aspects of theater and dance productions in both academic and professional settings. She has extensive experience overseeing both front and back of house operations through her professional work behind the scenes and on stage with theater organizations. Hauser has performed in and worked on hundreds of productions. She has appeared on stage as an actress and dancer and on local television. She has taught dance for many years and is trained in classical ballet, pointe, lyrical, liturgical, jazz, tap, modern, belly dancing, Broadway and stage combat. She has worked behind the scenes as an Equity stage manager, director, choreographer, rigger and house manager. Her theatrical design credits include: lighting, sound, props, scenery, costumes, hair and makeup. In addition to working full-time at The Theater at North, Hauser works part time as a stagehand for the I.A.T.S.E. Local 329 Stagehands Union at both the Scranton 30
Cultural Center and Montage Mountain’s Concert Pavilion. She also teaches in the theater program at Marywood University, works as a freelance theater technician and teaches at a local dance company. Hauser is a graduate of Marywood University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in communication arts with a major in musical theater and a minor in dance and English. She completed her master’s degree in communication arts with focuses in technical theater and children’s theater. She also earned her Ph.D in human development with a concentration in higher education instructional leadership. Hauser’s love of theater comes from her family. Her mom was a professional dancer who toured Northeastern Pennsylvania with her own act, and her dad was a stage manager as well as an entertainment booking manager.
Hauser’s husband Ryan holds a degree in technical theater and is the technical director/production manager for Marywood University’s Music, Theater and Dance Department. Ryan works professionally as a stagehand, lighting designer and stage manager in the industry and works alongside Hauser for nearly every show at The Theater at North. You can often see Hauser’s parents (Ernie and Barbara) and Hauser’s in-laws (Pam and Don) volunteering as ushers for performances in the theater too! Hauser, who was born and raised in the Poconos, now lives in Dickson City with Ryan and their cat Leko (who was named after a type of theatrical lighting instrument).
Upcoming Events at North December 10-11 “The Nutcracker” presented by Scranton Civic Ballet Company December 18 “The Italian Broadway Christmas Show December 23 “Twelve Twenty-Four Holiday Rock Orchestra • Visit thetheateratnorth.com H
