HUNTSVILLE – Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy has gained the expertise of an Artistic Director, a new position for the organization.

Stephen Tyler Davis will join the staff, effective Aug. 1. Davis is returning to North Alabama after 15 years of professional work in New York City as stage director, writer, producer, performer and educator in the theatre industry.

Currently, Davis serves as Theatre Program Manager at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, N.Y. He is Co-Founder and Artistic Director for CitySalt Theatricals.

As artistic director, Davis will manage production programming, community outreach and creative projects.

A Huntsville native, Davis grew up participating in Fantasy Academy and on-stage in many Fantasy theatrical productions in the 1990s and early 2000s.

Davis brings decades of experience to Fantasy Playhouse. In 2006, he received a bachelor’s degree in theatre from the University of Alabama, with honors for serving as president of Alpha Psi Omega.

Then in 2016, he earned a master’s degree of fine arts in theatre from Sarah Lawrence College. As guest artist, Davis has assisted at universities, state festivals, regional theatres, along with New York festivals.

In 2020, while working remotely in New York, Davis led a Fantasy Playhouse creative team in keeping their 30-year tradition of “A Christmas Carol.” This unique venture involved virtual formats.

Davis joins key personnel at Fantasy Playhouse, including Executive Director Karen Mockensturm and Education Director Candice Cooper.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to welcome Stephen’s artistic talent, professionalism and joyful spirit to lead our production programming and enhance Fantasy’s overall mission, vision and purpose. It’s an honor to welcome him back to North Alabama,” Executive Director Karen Mockensturm said.

In spring 2023, Fantasy Playhouse will produce Davis’ original adaptation of “Snow White and the 7 Littles” at the Von Braun Center Playhouse.

Grant funding from Alabama State Council for the Arts, in part, is supporting the new staff position at Fantasy.

Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy provides theatre arts access through production, education and outreach, reaching more than 31,000 residents annually. That figure includes 16,000 children and youth.

Support for Fantasy Playhouse in part depends on Alabama State Council on the Arts and the City of Huntsville Arts and Cultural grant program. Redstone Federal Credit Union provides seasonal support.

For more information, call 256-539-6829, email marketing@fantasyplayhouse.com or visit fantasyplayhouse.org.