William Biddy

(a.k.a. Peppy Biddy)

 


 

Work Address:

            Mississippi University for Women

            P.O. Box W-70

            Columbus, MS  39701

            (662) 329-7260

            wbiddy@muw.edu

            peppybiddy@aol.com


 

        

Education

    M.F.A. in Directing, Trinity University, San Antonio, TX, 1984

    B.F.A. in Theatre Arts, University of Mississippi, Oxford, MS, 1980

 

Teaching Experience

 

Professor and Director of Theatre Program (tenured), Mississippi University for Women, 1991-Present;

Duties include: Teaching 9-12 hours per semester, Directing Mainstage productions, Selecting season, Supervision of student projects, Recruiting, Administrative and Publicity duties, Committee work, and Community service.  Courses taught: Beginning Acting, Intermediate Acting, Advanced Acting, Directing, Theatre Appreciation, Stage Management, Voice and Movement for the stage (Lessac), Theatre Management, Playscript Analysis, Creative Dramatics, Introduction to Film, UN101 Freshmen Seminar, Honors Seminar: Art and Culture of Japan, Yoga.

 

Mississippi Governor’s School, 1988, 1992-1998; Developed and executed an intensive workshop for selected gifted and talented high school juniors and seniors.  Workshop included all area of Theatre training: Acting Directing, Writing, and Design.

 

      Instructor/Director Musical Theatre Camp, Mississippi University for Women, 1992.

 

      Assistant Instructor, Dallas Theatre Center’s Teen/Children’s Theatre, 1982-1984;

            Taught Children’s Musical Theatre class.

 

Graduate Assistant, University of Mississippi, 1980; Taught two sections of Interpersonal/Communications.

 

 

Training

The Teacher Development Program at The Actors Center, New York City, 2001

      Two week intensive in classical and contemporary acting

         Robert Cohen

         Slava Dolgatchev

     

      Webster Movement Institute, St. Louis, MO, 1996

      One week intensive in Character mask

         Joan Schirle

 

 

Celebration Barn Theatre, Paris, Maine, 1995

            Two week intensive in physical comedy

               Bob Berky

               Fred Garbo

 

Illinois State University, 1994

            Two-week voice/text workshop

               David Carey, Central School of Drama, London, England

               Jane Boston, Central School of Drama, London, England

 

Royal National Theatre Alumni Acting Program, London, England, 1993

      Two week intensive for graduates of RNT Studio

          Voice:

                   Frankie Armstrong, Internationally known artist

                   Helen Chadwick, National Theatre Studio, RADA, Central School

                   Patsy Rodenburg, Head of Voice, Royal National Theatre

                   Stephen Warbeck, Composer, Music Director, RNT

         Acting:

                   John Burgess, Royal National Theatre

                   William Gaskill

                   Polly Teale, RNT Studio

                   John Wright, Trestle Theatre Company, Middlesex University

                   Simon Usher, Royal Shakespearean Company,

         Shakespearean Text:

                   Michael Joyce, RADA, LAMDA, Associate Director Bristol Old Vic

         Movement:

                   Bridget Panet, RADA, LAMDA, RNT Studio

                   Sue Laurie (Alexander Technique), RNT Studio

         Master Classes: 

                   Sir Ian McKellan, Internationally known actor

                   Richard Eyre, Director Royal National Theatre

                   Caryle Churchill, Playwright

 

Royal National Theatre Summer Acting Program, London, England, 1991

     (additional tutors to the previous list)

         Voice:

                  Bardy Thomas, Central School, RADA

         Text: 

                  Geoffrey Connor

         Movement:

                  Jane Gibson (Historical Dance) Head of Movement, RNT

         Mask: 

                  Roddy Maude Roxby, Theatre Machine

         Dialects:

                  Joan Washington, Royal National Theatre

         Master Classes:

                  Stephen Daldrey, Olivier Award, Best Director

                  Ken Campbell, International Performing Artist

 

 

Alexander Technique, Ojai, California, 1991

      Winter Workshop

                  Michael Fredrickson

                  Joan Schirle

     

Lessac Voice and Movement Technique, Boulder, Colorado, 1988

      Six week summer intensive

                  Arthur Lessac, International Voice Specialist

                  Sue Ann Park, Suny Binghamton

                  Lisbeth Roman

                  Richard Cuyler, Suny Binghamton

                  Saundra Cuyler, Suny Binghamton

     

Master Classes:

      Alexander Technique: Marjorie Barstow

      Linklater:  Bonnie Raphael

      Design: Irene Corey

      Feldenkrais: Pat Tomlin

    

Singing: (tenor) Private Lessons and/or choral performance

 

Dance:  Jazz, Tap, Ballet, and Modern

 

Internship:  Two-year professional internship, Dallas Theatre Center, Dallas, TX,

      Paul Baker, Mary Sue Jones; Artistic Directors

 

 

Professional Experience

 

Freelance Professional Actor, Director, Choreographer, and Stage Manager;

Please see attached resume for list of Representative credits.

 

 

Professional Activities

 

Production Manager, Sundance Theatre Lab, Sundance Institute, UT, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004

      Assistant Production Manager, Sundance Theatre Lab, Sundance Institute, UT, 2000

      Sasakawa Fellow, "Incorporating Japanese Studies into the Undergraduate Curriculum,"

            Four weeks of intensive seminars focused on Japanese Culture,

             San Diego State University, 2000

      Contributor, Women and Music In America Since 1900: An Encyclopedia, June 2001, Oryx Press

 

Selected as one of twelve university directors nationwide to attend the National

American College Theatre Festival’s "Learn from the Best" workshop with Broadway

director Des McAnuff at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., 1998

      Peer Review Evaluator, Birmingham Southern College Theatre Program, 1998

Guest Adjudicator, American College Theatre Festival, University of Alabama, 1998

Conference Presenter, Southeastern Theatre Conference Convention, "Challenges and

      Solutions for Small Theatre Departments," Birmingham, AL 1998

      Company Member (Technician), Santa Fe Stages International Festival, summer, 1997

Guest Adjudicator, Alabama State SETC Screening Auditions, 1997

      Guest Adjudicator, American College Theatre Festival, University of Memphis, 1997

Guest Adjudicator, American College Theatre Festival, University of Southern Mississippi, 1997

Guest Scholar, New Stage Theatre, Jackson, MS, New Playreading Series, December 1995

Associate Director, Mississippi Theatre Association/American College Theatre Festival,

            State Festival, 1995

Conference Presentation, Southeastern Theatre Conference, “Transformation Scenery”

             Norfolk, VA, 1995

Director, Good Night Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet), Evening of Scenes,

      American College Theatre Festival, Greensboro, NC, 1995

      Guest Scholar, Eudora Welty New Playreading, New Stage Theatre, Jackson, MS, 1994

Guest Adjudicator, American College Theatre Festival, Auburn, AL, 1994

Guest Adjudicator, American College Theatre Festival,

      Mississippi State University, 1994, 1997, 1999, 2001

      Guest Speaker, Young Southern Writers Association, Aberdeen, MS, 1993

Dialect Consultant, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, 1993

      Director, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill, Evening of Scenes,

             American College Theatre Festival, Radford, VA, 1992

Dialect Consultant, American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco, CA, 1992

 

 

Conferences Attended

 

      Commercial Theatre Institute, New York City, 2002

           

Women In Theatre:  Mapping the Sources of Power, New York City, 1997

 

Association of Theatre in Higher Education, Atlanta 1992, Chicago 1994

 

Southeastern Theatre Conference

      Mobile, AL, 2002

      Norfolk, VA, 1995, 2000                                    Arlington, VA, 1993

      Birmingham, AL 1998                                        Orlando, FL, 1992                                 

      Miami, FL, 1997                                                Nashville, TN, 1990

      Savannah, GA, 1994                                          Winston-Salem, NC, 1991         

                                         

American College Theatre Festival (National)

      Kennedy Center, Washington DC, 1998, 2004

 

      American College Theatre Festival (Regional)

      Hattiesburg, MS, 2001                                       Greensboro, NC, 1995

      Clemson, SC, 1994, 1998                                    Auburn, AL, 1993

      Knoxville, TN, 1996                                           Radford, VA, 1992       

            Birmingham, AL, 2004

     

      American College Theatre Festival (State Festival)

      Starkville, MS, 1991, 1995, 1998, 2000                 Hattiesburg, MS 1997                           

            Jackson, MS, 1994, 1996                                    Gulfport, MS, 1993, 1999, 2001

     

National Association of Local Arts Agency, Fort Worth, TX, 1994

 

Membership in Professional Organizations

Actors’ Equity Association (AEA)

Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC)

Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE)

Theatre Communications Group (TCG)

Mississippi Theatre Association (MTA)

National Education Association (NEA)

Mississippi Association of Educators (MAE)

 

Professional Viewing

Have attended professional theatre performances in the following locations:

      London, England                                    Memphis, TN

      Edinburgh, Scotland                               Chicago, IL

      Dublin, Ireland                                       Salt Lake City, UT

      St. Petersburg, Russia                            Nashville, TN

      New York City                                     Washington, D.C.         

      Los Angeles, CA                                   Dallas, TX                               

      Atlanta, GA                                          Boston, MA                                         

      Santa Fe, NM                                       Houston, TX                

      St. Louis, MO                                       New Orleans, LA

      Seattle, WA                                          Actors Theatre Humana Festival, Louisville, KY

      Jackson, MS                                         Barter Theatre, Abington, VA   

                                                                 

Have organized and escorted multiple student and faculty trips including the following:

      New York City

      Sundance Film Festival, Park City, UT

      Cirque Du Soleil, Atlanta, GA and Biloxi, MS

      Alabama Shakespeare Festival, Montgomery, AL

 

University Services

     University Core Curriculum Council, 2003   

     University Promotion and Tenure Review Committee, 2001, 2003

Honors Forum Presenter, Japanese Art and Culture, 2000

Elected as Fine and Performing Arts representative for Faculty Senate, 1999-Present

Member of Search Committee for Division Head of Fine & Performing Arts, 1998

Executive Committee, United Way Fundraising Gala, 1995

      MUW Representative Lecture Coordinator, The Palaces of St. Petersburg, Press Trip to Russia, 1995

Undergraduate Curriculum Council, Member, 1992-1996

      Undergraduate Curriculum Council, President, 1994-1995

Advising Corps, 1994-Present

Gibbons Chair Search Committee, 1995

Homecoming Gala Director, 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001

Chairman Theatre Search Committee, 1992, 1995

Summer Orientation Representative, 1994

Student Grievance Committee, 1993-2001

Guest Speaker, Residence Life (Kincannon, Jones dorm), 1992, 1993, 1994

Teacher of University 101, 1993-Present

Singer MUW Choral, 1993-Present

Faculty Advisor, 1991-Present

Scholar’s Day Committee, 1993-Present

Take a Girl to Work Day, 1993, 1994, 1995

MS Fibernet 2000, Fine Art Teacher, 1993

Committee Member, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), 1993, 2001

Student Development Services Committee, 1991-1993

Governors School Student Selection Committee, 1993

BKT All-Sing Judge, 1992, 1993

Music Search Committee, 1994

Guest Artist MUW Dance Concert, 1992

Producer, Read Mississippi, Rita Coolidge Concert, 1990

 

Community Services

Guest Speaker, Lee Home Lunch and Learn Series, 2000-01

Judge, Magnolia Film Festival, 1998, 1999

      Guest Clinician, MSMS, 1995

Guest Clinician, Columbus, H.S., “Front Line”, 1995

      Division Representative, American Heart Association, Walk for Heart, 1993, 1994

      Guest Instructor, American Heart Association, Dance for Heart, 1992

      Singer & Director, Amahl and the Night Visitors, 1992, 1994

      Board Member, Columbus Arts Council, 1993-1997

      Concert Series Committee, Young People Artist Series Committee

      Speaker for Rotary Club, 1989, 1991

      Volunteer Service, Habitat for Humanity, 1995

 

Have served as advisor/consultant on one or more occasions for the following

institutions and organizations:

Sale Elementary School                                     Columbus Parks & Recreation

Demonstration School                                        Kids with Character

Heritage Academy                                            Aroria Nursing Home                           

Greater Columbus Learning Center                    Franklin Academy                                            

Whitfield Renovation Consultant             Joe Cook School                                               

Columbus Community Theatre                           Reform High School, Reform, AL                     

Tupelo Community Theatre                                First Methodist Church                         

                 

Honors

Received Faculty Research Grant, 1998, 2001

Received Sabbatical, spring 1999

Citation from Who's Who Among America's Teachers, 1999

Faculty Member of the Year—Mississippi Governor's School, 1998

Trinity University Scholarship recipient

Omicron Delta Kappa, Leadership Honorary

Alpha Psi Omega, Theatre Honorary

University of Mississippi, Deans List, Academic and Theatre Scholarship

National Institute of Musical Theatre, selected to compete

 

Thesis

The Use of the Elements of Form in Creating Choreography

 

Manuscript Review

Allyn and Bacon Publishing, Understanding Plays, Second Edition,

     by Milly S. Barranger, 1991

 

Other

      Certified Yoga Instructor, American Aerobic Association International/International

            Sports Medicine Association (AAAI/ISMA) Since 2000

PEPPY BIDDY
(a.k.a. William Biddy)
Director/AEA Stage Manager
 
                Work Address:                        E-Mail:
                PO Box W-70                         wbiddy@muw.edu
                Columbus, MS 39701               
                 (662) 329-7260                       
 
	RIKKI TIKKI TAVI                                   Director/Choreographer           Mississippi University for Women, 2004
 
	NICKEL AND DIMED                               Director                                  Mississippi University for Women, 2004
	 
	SUNDANCE THEATRE LAB 2004            Production Manager                Sundance Institute, Sundance, UT 2004
 
	AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’                               Director/Choreographer           New Stage Theatre, Jackson, MS, 2004
 
	SUNDANCE @ WHITE OAK                    Production Manager                White Oak, FL 2004
 
	ON THE VERGE                                        Director                                  Mississippi University for Women, 2003
 
	A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING             Director/Choreographer           New Stage Theatre, Jackson, MS, 2003
 
	SUNDANCE THEATRE LAB 2003            Production Manager                Sundance Institute, Sundance, UT 2003
 
	JET SET ’67*                                              Director/Co-creator                 Mississippi University for Women, 2002
 
	SUNDANCE THEATRE LAB 2002            Production Manager                Sundance Institute, Sundance, UT 2002
 
	ALEXANDER…BAD DAY                       Director/Choreographer           Dallas Children’s Theatre , 2002 &2003
 
	ONCE UPON A MATTRESS                     Director                                  Mississippi University for Women, 2002
 
	 SUNDANCE THEATRE LAB 2001           Production Manager                Sundance Institute, Sundance, UT, 2001
 
	 ALWAYS . . . PATSY CLINE                   Director                                  Mississippi University for Women, 2001
                     
	 THE 15 MINUTE HAMLET                      Director                                  Mississippi University for Women, 2000
 
	 FOR WHOM THE SOUTHERN
	 BELLE TOLLS (and other plays)                Director                                  Mississippi University for Women, 2000
 
	 SUNDANCE THEATRE LAB 2000           Assistant Production Mgr.       Sundance Institute, Sundance, UT, 2000
 
	 BEEHIVE                                                  Choreographer                        Tupelo Community Theatre, 2000
 
	 THE ALL NIGHT STRUT                         Director                                  Mississippi University for Women, 2000
 
 
	 MOTHER HICKS                                      Director                                  Mississippi University for Women, 1999
 
	 YOU'RE A GOOD MAN 
	 CHARLIE BROWN                                   Director                                  Dallas Children’s Theatre, 1999
 
	 TAPESTRY                                               Director                                  Mississippi University for Women, 1998
   
	 ALL IN THE TIMING                               Director                                  Mississippi University for Women, 1997
 
	 LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS                  Director/Choreographer           Mississippi University for Women, 1997
 
	 SCHOOLHOUSE ROCK LIVE!                Director/Choreographer           Mississippi University for Women, 1997
 
	 SYLVIA                                                    Director                                  Mississippi University for Women, 1996
 
	 COMPANY B                                            Writer/Director                       Mississippi University for Women, 1996
 
	 COMPANY A                                           Writer/Director                       Mississippi University for Women, 1995
 
	 PATIENT A                                               Director                                 Mississippi University for Women, 1995
 
	 OUR TOWN                                              Director                                 Mississippi University for Women, 1995
 
 
	GOODNIGHT DESDEMONA                    Director                                  Mississippi University for Women, 1994
	 (Good Morning Juliet)
 
	GOING TO SEE THE ELEPHANT             Director                                  Mississippi University for Women, 1993
 
	LOVE LETTERS                                        Director                                  Mississippi University for Women, 1993
 
	I WON'T TAKE A BATH                           Director/Choreographer           Mississippi University for Women, 1993
 
	THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM                  Director/Choreographer           Mississippi University for Women, 1992
 
	MRS. CALIFORNIA                                   Director                                  Mississippi University for Women, 1992
 
	IN A ROOM SOMEWHERE                       Director/Choreographer           Mississippi University for Women, 1991
 
	READ MISSISSIPPI                                   Producer                                Mississippi University for Women, 1990
	(Literacy Benefit with Rita Collidge)
 
	LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR           Director                                  Mississippi University for Women, 1991
	& GRILL
       
	PSYCHO BEACH PARTY                         Director                                  Mississippi University for Women, 1989
 
	HAMLET: THE MUSICAL                         Director/Choreographer           Hot Southern Nights, Birmingham, AL, 1989
                                                                                                               
 
	THE BIG BAD WOLF AND HOW             Asst. Director/Dance Captain   Empty Space Theatre, Seattle, WA, 1988
	HE GOT THAT WAY                 
 
	EXTREMITIES                                           Director                                  Mississippi University for Women, 1989
 
	PUMP BOYS & DINETTES                       Director/Choreographer           Mississippi University for Women, 1988
 
	A...MY NAME IS ALICE                           Director/Choreographer           Mississippi University for Women, 1988   
 
 
	LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS                   Choreographer                        Cape Fear Regional Theatre, 1987
                                                                                                                        	 Fayetteville, NC
 
	GODSPELL                                                Director/Choreographer           Mississippi University for Women, 1987
 
	ARSENIC & OLD LACE                            Director                                  Garland Civic Center, Garland, TX, 1987 
 
	YOU'RE A GOOD MAN                            Director/Choreographer           Irving Arts Center, 1986
	CHARLIE BROWN
 
	CRAZY (FOR LOVING YOU)*                 Director                                  S.T.A.G.E., Dallas, TX, 1987
 
	COVERED DISH*                                      Director                                  Garland Civic Center, 1986
  
	THE ROBBER BRIDEGROOM                  Director                                  Garland Civic Center, 1986
  
	CRIMES OF THE HEART                          Director                                   Dallas Theatre Center, 1983
	(Studio Production)
 
 
	SPIRIT OF AMERICA                                Stage Manager                       Opryland U.S.A., 1990
	(with Brenda Lee)                                                                                      Nashville, TN
 
 
	GENERAL JACKSON                               Stage Manager                       Opryland U.S.A., 1990
	SHOWBOAT
 
	ON THE RAZZLE                                      Stage Manager                       New Arts Theatre, 1984
                                                                                                                	Dallas, TX
 
	BETRAYAL                                               Stage Manager                       New Arts Theatre, 1983
 
	A MURDER IS ANNOUNCED                  Stage Manager                       Dallas Theatre Center, 1982
 
 
 
	* World Premiere