Image of Harry Parker, Professor of Theatre

Harry Parker

Professor
Theatre

h.parker@tcu.edu | 817-257-7625

Education

BFA, Texas Christian University,
MA, University of Kansas
Ph.D., University of Kansas

Dr. Harry B. Parker has been a Professor of Theatre since joining the faculty at TCU in 2003.  He also served as the Chair of the Department of Theatre for 18 years (2003-2021), and as the Founding Managing Director of the Trinity Shakespeare Festival, which was hosted at TCU for 10 years (2009-2018).  A native of Oklahoma City, Harry received a B.F.A. (magna cum laude) in Theatre from TCU, and from the University of Kansas in Lawrence he earned an M.A. in Theatre (Acting/Directing), and a Ph.D. in Theatre and Film. He has also served on the faculty of Westmar College in Iowa, and spent eleven years as the Director of Theatre at Emporia State University in Kansas. For seven summers Harry worked professionally as the Assistant Artistic Director at Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma, where he assisted Artistic Director Lyle Dye in staging over 30 major musicals. He has directed more than 125 professional, community and academic theatre productions across the country including professionally at the Kennedy Center (Washington D.C.); Stages Repertory Theatre (Houston); American Heartland Theatre (Kansas City); Bishop Arts Theatre (Dallas); and Lyric Theatre of Oklahoma (Oklahoma City) and the Oklahoma City Repertory Theatre. In Fort Worth, he has directed professionally for Stage West, Amphibian Stage Productions, Jubilee Theatre and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, as well as having directed over 15 shows for Circle Theatre. His directing credits include Holiday, AntigoneSouth PacificThe Importance of Being EarnestThe Grapes of WrathThe Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, No, No, Nanette, Sweeney Todd, GodspellThe MiserCharley’s AuntThe Philadelphia StoryCompany, The Will Rogers FolliesThe Comedy of ErrorsMarvin’s RoomThurgood, The King and IThe MatchmakerThe Laramie Project and The Taming of the Shrew.

Since 2008, Harry has hosted a popular weekly radio show entitled “Curtain Up!” on KTCU, 88.7 FM (also available at www.ktcu.tcu.edu) featuring songs from the musical theatre. He served a term as the National Chair for the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival, and has twice been awarded the Kennedy Center Medallion of Excellence for his service to that organization.  In 2013, Harry was awarded the TCU Chancellor’s Award as a Creative Scholar and Teacher, and in 2020 he was awarded the Elston Brooks Lifetime Achievement Award from the Live Theatre League of Tarrant County. He has served on the Board of both Circle Theatre and the Live Theatre League of Tarrant County.  He is an Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society. Harry is married to Karen Parker, and they have two adult children. He is exceptionally proud of his current and former students, and their impressive accomplishments.