Robert Ursan, Artistic Director
Professional musician, performer, writer, composer, and teacher, Robert Ursan has been director and music director with Do It With Class Young People’s Theatre for 28 years.
A gifted singer and pianist, a prolific Canadian composer, a skilled theatrical director, and a sought-after teacher, Rob is a visionary leader in the arts. In addition to the 28 years he has directed and taught youth with Do It With Class Young People’s Theatre, he has also written, composed, and orchestrated several full musical productions for the company, including Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland, The Snow Queen, The Little Prince, and the newly written Wind in the Willows.
Born and raised in Regina, Rob received his undergraduate degree in music at Oberlin College, his graduate degree in Opera at the University of Toronto, and his post-graduate degree in Opera at The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama.
As the University of Toronto’s first recipient of the Luciano Pavarotti/Toronto Symphony Award for voice, it was clear early on that Rob was an uncommonly talented singer. After performing with opera companies and orchestras in Europe and Canada, he chose to return to Saskatchewan, where he has continued to perform and to pursue his interests in composition, direction, and teaching.
“Do It With Class Young People’s Theatre is incredibly fortunate to have someone of Rob’s skill and ability helping develop and shape the craft of many young talented Saskatchewan performers.”
In addition to his work with Do It With Class Young People’s Theatre, Robert has directed musical theatre productions for Regina Lyric Musical Theatre (formerly Regina Lyric Light Opera Society) for more than 20 years. He has also directed for Tye Productions, composed for and performed with Regina’s Globe Theatre, and composed full performance works for Saskatchewan’s Prairie Opera. He has been instrumental in more than 100 major productions in the province over the past two decades.
As a composer, Robert’s works are diverse, ranging from opera and musical theatre to song cycles, string quartets, instrumental pieces, and vocal repertoire. Rob has also written more than 20 theatre scores. His works are performed regularly by musicians across Canada and around the world.