About

Artistic and Executive Director
(Click name for full bio)

Ira David Wood III is the Founder & Executive Director of Theatre In The Park. A graduate of The University of North Carolina School of the Arts, he was raised in Enfield, NC and became his hometown’s first Eagle Scout. Summers during his college years were spent as a leading actor in The Lost Colony, the oldest outdoor drama in the country. For the past four summer seasons, David has served as Director of The Lost Colony. Upon graduation, he became the first Theatre Arts Consultant for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction. A year later, he founded Theatre In The Park, and established its home in the Pullen Park Armory building. In only a few years, Theatre In The Park became North Carolina’s largest community theatre with an international reputation.

Executive Assistant

Ashley graduated in 1994 from Salem College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. She first joined Theatre In The Park as the Office Manager after several years of working in advertising and now works as the Executive Assistant, coordinating all of the Executive Director’s public appearances and scheduling. Ashley also maintains the extensive A Christmas Carol archives for the theatre.

Financial Director and Box Office Manager

Erin West was appointed as Financial Director in 2011. She has been with Theatre In The Park in various volunteer and staff roles since 2005. Erin loves attending and supporting the arts, especially local theatre and live music. She is a native of CT, but grew up in the Raleigh area where she attended Wake County Public Schools and is a graduate of Wake Tech. Cody, her rescued Sheltie furkid, lives with Erin in Cary.

Managing Director

Brent Simpson came to Theatre In The Park after 15 years in the telecommunications industry, working for companies such as MCI, Global Crossing, and Verizon. He is a 2007 graduate of Campbell University and holds a degree in Social Science. Brent not only enjoys working behind the scenes at Theatre In The Park, but has also been seen on stage in Ira David Wood III’s A Christmas Carol as the Baker and Mr. Fezziwig. Other Theatre In The Park credits include Romeo and Juliet and Angels in America. While away from Theatre In The Park, Brent enjoys attending local theatre productions, reading, movies, and traveling.

Assistant Artistic Director

A Raleigh native, Ira is no stranger to Theatre In The Park. He made his first stage appearance as an infant in his father’s beloved A Christmas Carol in 1984. Since then he has been seen in television mini-series, television programs (Including as an accomplice on Punk’d) as well as feature films. He taught acting at the prestigious acting studio “The Shop” in North Hollywood, California. Ira is an accomplished director and for Theatre In The Park has directed Romeo and Juliet, starring his sister Evan Rachel Wood while he also took on the role of Mercutio, Noises Off, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Psycho Beach Party. In 2010, Ira played Old Tom, a leading role in The Lost Colony, a North Carolina treasure and Tony award winning show. While his father was recovering from open heart surgery in 2010, Ira stepped in the role of Scrooge, and has returned to A Christmas Carol as The Lamp Lighter.

Technical Director

Nathaniel (Nat) started as a student carpenter for NC State University Theatre. He has since worked as a scenic artist for Lexington Children’s Theatre and as Scenic Designer and Technical Director of Camp Merrie-Woode’s theatre program.  After he graduated with a B.S. in Biomedical Engineering, Nat realized his true passion was technical theatre and has been working in the field ever since. In his spare time he also acts and writes. He loves the challenges and creativity associated with theatre and looks forward to continuing along this path for many years to come.

Marketing Associate

Marilyn holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from Meredith College. She then went on to study and perform as an Acting Apprentice and Marketing Intern at Florida Studio Theatre in Sarasota, Florida. She has acted with and stage managed for REP, Deep DIsh, NRACT, Burning Coal, Sonorous Road, Town of Cary, Women’s Theatre Festival and Raleigh Little Theatre. Marilyn has also been stage manager for “The Santaland Diaries” with Jesse Gephart at Theatre In The Park since 2011.