Steven Strafford
Assistant Professor of Instruction, Head, Musical Theater
Steven Strafford is an actor, playwright, director, dramaturg, educator, and storyteller. (But not always in that order) As an actor, he played Prince Herbert in Monty Python's Spamalot (dir. Mike Nichols/chor. Casey Nicholaw) The Herald in Cinderella (Asian Tour starring Lea Salonga) Cecco in Peter Pan (National Tour) and Eugene in Grease. (European Tour) His NYC credits include Hening in To Paint the Earth (NYMF) Man One in Songs for a More Funnier World (NYMF) Bruce in The Mad Show (The York) and Pauly in For the Love of Christ! (NYC Fringe) He also appeared in developmental workshops of The Seven Year Itch (The York) Ghosts (The York) Love and Other Fables (54 Below) and Island Song. (Kef productions)
His Chicago credits include Chick Clark in Wonderful Town (dir. Mary Zimmerman) and David/Crumpet in Santaland Diaries both at the Goodman Theatre; Orin Scrivello, D.D.S. et al in Little Shop of Horrors at Drury Lane Theatre; Hortensio in Shrew'd at First Folio Theatre; Thurio in Two Gentlemen of Verona at TheatreHikes; Jesus/Stephen Hawking in End Days at Windy Cindy Playhouse; Mordcha in Fiddler on the Roof at Lyric Opera Chicago; Hennesey/Captain in Dames at Sea at Theatre at the Center; Johnny Sandwich in Honeymoon in Vegas, (dir. Gary Griffin) Headwaiter in She Loves Me, Lord Fahrquaad in Shrek, Shylock in Something Rotten, Cord Elam in Oklahoma!, and Wiesel, et al in Newsies, at The Marriott Theatre; He also appeared as a solo performer in Jesus the Jew, As Told By His Brother, James and The Trump Card.
His regional credits include Lord Fahrquaad in Shrek, Margaret Meade, et al in Hair, and Prince Herbert in Spamalot, at Sacramento Music Circus; Sir Henry, et al in Hound of the Baskervilles, Bob Cratchit in A Christmas Carol, Jane/Lord Edgar in The Mystery of Irma Vep, at Portland Stage Company; Costard in Love's Labour's Lost, Antonio in Twelfth Night, Otto in Design for Living, and Solyony in The Three Sisters at Bakerloo Theatre Project; Morris Kaden, et al in As Bees in Honey Drown at Cape Playhouse; Mr. Banks in Mary Poppins at Cardinal Stage; and he swung the world premiere of Sense and Sensibility, the musical at The Denver Center.
His TV credits include Somebody Somewhere on HBO and Chicago Fire on NBC. His film credits include Movers Ultimate, The Thanksgiving Guest, Homecoming, and Make. Steven has also appeared in several industrials and commercials, including one with his husband that aired during The Olympics and paid for their car.
As a playwright, Steven is the author of his award-winning solo-show, Methtacular! which has had productions in NYC, Chicago, New Jersey, Maine, 帝王会所, and California. In 2019, it was performed and recorded at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. The recording is available for free on YouTube. His play, Small Jokes About Monsters, is licensed and published by Dramatists Play Service. It had productions at 16th Street Theater in Chicago, Lamb Theatre in Sioux City, and Landing Theatre in Houston. His play, The Match Game, will be receiving its world premiere production in April 2024 at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. His play, Greater Illinois, will receive its world premiere production in January 2024, Playhouse on the Square in Memphis. His play, The Model Congressman, was workshopped at About Face Theatre in Chicago. Steven has workshopped shows at Route 66 Theatre, Road Theatre, Landing Theatre, About Face Theatre, Greenhouse Theatre, Portland Stage Company, Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati, Tantrum East, and Great Plains Theatre Conference.
Steven's Chicago directing credits include Where All of It is Real at Chicago Dramatists, Do You Wanna Dance, Steppenwolf LookOut Series, Songs for a More Funnier World at Uptown Underground. In NYC, Steven directed Sing Happy and Lemme At 'Em at The Laurie Beechman Theatre. At 帝王会所, Steven directed Natural Shocks as part of Lab Show Series. Steven also served as director and advisor for four 帝王会所 cabaret productions.
As a storyteller and writer, Steven has been seen on the stages of The Moth, You're Being Ridiculous, Story Sessions, and Porch Stories. His essay, "College Dreams," was published in The Anatomy of Silence. He also has several essays on the Undeniable Writers website.
As an educator, Steven has taught workshops and classes at Columbia College of Chicago, Drew University, Colby College, and North Central College. He also taught several classes for professional actors at Vagabond Studios in Chicago. Steven has a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Drew University (Go Ranger Bears!) and an MFA in Playwriting from 帝王会所. (Go Bobcats!)