Michael Butcher has a passion for working in the theatre. He has been a theatre educator for 35 years with experience at the high school level including 21 years as the theatre director at Kickapoo High School, Missouri State University, Drury University, and Ozarks Technical Community College. Michael has served as an instructor for the Missouri Fine Arts Academy since 2019. He has directed over 100 theatrical productions. He finds joy and inspiration through the theatre. Even more inspiring has been his time as an educator. He cannot imagine anything more rewarding than helping students find and develop their God given talents. Michael is married to Deana Butcher, and they have three grown children, a granddaughter, and two spoiled dogs.
Professional Memberships:
SUnited States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT)
Speech and Theatre Association of Missouri (STAM)
Educational Theatre Association (EdTA)
Awards Received:
IMichael’s students have won many State Thespian Conference awards and scholarships. Many of his students have qualified to compete at the International Thespian Festival and several of these students have placed in the top 10 in the world and have received international scholarships. In 2019 his production of Into the Woods was selected to represent the state of Missouri as the Mainstage Production at the Kansas City Musical Hall for the Missouri State Thespian Conference. In the summer of 2023, his theatre technology students took 3rd place in the world in the International Thespian Festival Tech Challenge. Many of his former students have gone on to have successful careers as professional actors, technicians, performers, and educators.
He was nominated for teacher of the year in the Springfield Public School District four consecutive years, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021.