Arkansan front stage in new role

An Arkansas native will soon take over as artistic director of the nation’s largest theater for young people.

Rick Dildine, who grew up in Wynne and graduated from Ouachita Baptist University, will start his new role at the Children’s Theatre Company in Minneapolis on July 1.

“The Children’s Theatre Company is recognized internationally for its work,” Dildine said in an interview earlier this month. “It’s at the top for those of us who want to make an impact on the lives of young people.”

Since 2017, Dildine, who has a master’s degree in acting from Brown University/Trinity Rep, has been artistic director of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival in Montgomery. His directing credits include “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” “Twelfth Night,” “Macbeth,” “Romeo & Juliet,” “The Tempest,” “The Misanthrope,” “Alabama Story,” “The Sound of Music,” “Every Brilliant Thing,” “Steel Magnolias,” “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Cabaret.”

While with the Shakespeare Festival, Dildine started a training program for early career theater artists and established partnerships with Montgomery Public Schools, Alabama State University and the Equal Justice Initiative. In 2019 he was given the “Stand Out Award” from the Society of Directors & Choreographers for his efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in American theater.

His mom, Beth Dildine, played a major role in his love for theater.

“She was instrumental in my growth as an artist. She would get us season tickets to the Orpheum Theatre in Memphis and drive me over about once a month to see whatever touring show was performing there,” he says. “That was huge for her to give me that opportunity to learn and grow.”

Dildine’s drama teacher at Wynne High School, Randy Yarnold, was also a notable influence.

“Like so many of us in theater, it starts with a teacher,” he says. “He was so passionate and knowledgeable about theater and that instilled in us students a great excitement and mutual passion.”

Describing what he finds most satisfying in theater, Dildine says: “It’s the creative process, the teamwork, the collaboration and then the giving it away to an audience. That collective act, the theater-making, is what pulled me in.”

And while the Minneapolis winters may be cold, he’s looking forward to the move.

“The city has such an amazing arts and culture scene that I’m excited to be a part of.”