Eugene L. Sumlin will be directing Once Upon a Mattress during the 2017-18 season. After studying theatre at Ashland University, Eugene performed as a Resident Acting Company member at the historic Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia. He also served as the Education Associate at Cleveland Public Theatre, where he taught and helped direct their education programs–STEP (Student Theatre Enrichment Program), Y-Haven Theatre Project and Brick City Theatre after school program. For the past 8 years, Eugene served as the choreographer for Beachwood Community Theatre and Summer Theatre Camp. He also served as the Director and advisor of the Drama Club at Charles F. Brush High School for the past 6 years in which he directed such shows as Cinderella , Beauty And The Beast, Hairspray, The Music Man, Once On This Island, 12 Angry Jurors, You Can’t Take It With You and Into The Woods. Eugene is the Co-founder and the Artistic Director of Orchard Arts Project, a non-profit performing arts organization. He also served as a teaching artist with Kulture Kids and has worked with children throughout the Greater Cleveland area. He is also the Co-director of the Performing Arts Ministry at Calvary Church Of God In Christ in Cleveland. Currently, Eugene is a Teaching Artist for the C.A.R.E (Compassionate Arts Remaking Education) program at Cleveland Playhouse. As an actor, Eugene has performed in such theaters as Mercury Theatre Company, Cain Park, Lakeland Civic Theatre, The Fine Arts Association, TruNorth Cultural Arts and Beachwood Community Theatre. Eugene is married to his beautiful wife, Nicole, and is the proud father of two children, Easton and August.