Charles Ward (center) at the opening of the Theatre with Patrick Baldauf (left) and Storer Boone (right)

CHARLES WARD - Executive Director/Producer

Mr. Ward's 38 year career as a producer and director in theatre, film and television has taken him across the world producing hundreds of productions, earning him both international as well as local acclaim. Ward has worked with such notables as Howard K. Smith, Jane Pauley, Robert Conrad, Perry Como, Wayne Newton, Doc Severenson, Ed McMahon, Louis Malle, Ray Stark, Ronald Reagan, Storer Boone and Jack Payne. He has directed and produced commercials for national and local advertising agencies and was honored by the Dallas Advertising League's Film and Video Festival "Best of Show" 1974, ASTA's 1977 and 1979 International Director Award and seven ADDYs by the New Orleans Advertising Club.

As Executive Director/Producer of Rivertown Repertory Theatre, Ward's accomplishments have exceeded all expectations. Assuming the position twenty-two years ago, he has successfully produced over 100 productions and turned the former little theatre into a thriving and respected community theatre with over 2,700 season ticket holders. He has been honored for his work with the 1990 Annual Mayoral Award for the Arts, the 1992 Big Easy Award for Best Musical for Sweet Charity, the 1993 Big Easy Award for Best Musical for Funny Girl, the 1994 Storer Boone Award for Best Theatre and Best Producer, and Best Theatre for 1996 and 1997, the 1994 Big Easy Award for Best Comedy for Lost In Yonkers, the 1995 Big Easy Award for Best Musical for The Will Rogers Follies, the 1996 Big Easy Award for Best Comedy for Brighton Beach Memoirs, the 1997 Big Easy Award for Best Musical for My Fair Lady, the 1998 Marquee Award for Best Comedy for Moon Over Buffalo, the 1998 Storer Boone Award for Best Comedy for Born Yesterday and Best Drama for Last Night of Ballyhoo, the 1999 Marquee Award for Best Comedy for Last Night of Ballyhoo, the 1999 Best Children's Theatre for The Ice Dragon and the 2000 Best Children's Theatre for The Wizard of Oz from the Storer Boone Awards and many more. He was honored as the 1997 Theatre Chairman of the Big Easy Awards.

Sometimes it is best to let others speak for you:

"You're The Top: The Will Rogers Follies - RRT opened its new facility in high-kicking fashion..." Richard Dodds, Times Picayune

"It is the perfect example of a local show transcending the tag of 'community production'; it is professional on almost every count...This is big time entertainment at its very best." Al Shea, Gambit

"The Rivertown Repertory Theatre's creativity-friendly demeanor, under the direction of Charles Ward, has often been the deciding factor in bringing innovative and at times even spectacular productions to the community stage, as well as a building block in elevating the Theatre to the leadership position it occupies today." Paul Serpas, The St.Bernard News

"Rivertown Theatre has proven they are far above Community Theatre as they give their audiences professional productions." Jay Stanley, Vive la Vie

"Rivertown Repertory Theatre, the little theatre that could, continues to amaze and astound with its theatrical perspicacity...Inherit The Wind is a glowing example of the right play chosen at the right time with the right director able to acquire the talents of the right cast...producer Charles Ward is to be commended for producing a nonmusical winner. This is what community theatre is all about." George Patterson, Ambush

"This is community theatre at its best." David Cuthbert, Times Picayune

"...Inside the comfy confines that is the new Rivertown Repertory Theatre, only the sound of lovely music can be heard these nights as the proud little theatre that could marches out of its movie theatre, hand-me-down chrysalis, a crucible out of which has been born some wonderful new talent, and into the vanguard, leading the pack, and leaving all of its competitors...in the dust." George Patterson - Ambush

"Much mention must be made of the opulent, exquisite new theatre, which now becomes a show-stopping leading theatre of the state." Shirley Harrison, Jewish Press

"The beautiful new theatre is possibly the most comfortable in the New Orleans area...Producer Charles Ward should be very pleased he has done what Storer Boone had hoped for." Al Shea, Stepping Out

Charles Ward                                   Executive Director/Producer
Bonnie Knowles                                Producer/Imagine Theatre
Kathy Riess                                       Producer/Imagine Theatre
Christopher Ward                            Technical Director/Operations
Eric Porter                                       Technical Advisor/Construction
Linda Jumonville                               Box Office Manager
Dane Rhodes                                    Director
Scott Sauber                                    Director
Roland "Butch" Caire                        Director
Patrick Mendelson                            Director
Samuel Norflin                                 Maintenance