Erin Farrell Speer

Assistant Professor  •  Head of the Musical Theatre Program


Before joining the Department of Theatre, Erin was an Assistant Professor specializing in Musical Theatre and Director of Undergraduate Studies for the School of Theatre at the University of North Carolina Greensboro, where she developed a new BFA musical theatre program with music director and arranger Dominick Amendum (Wicked, Prince of Egypt). While at UNCG Erin was also recognized as the College of Visual and Performing Arts Outstanding Teacher in 2021. In 2022 she was the recipient of the UNCG-wide James Y. Joyner Award for excellence in teaching. 

A Los Angeles native, Erin made her Broadway debut serving as the Directing Assistant to Tony Award winner Christopher Ashley on Escape to Margaritaville, the Jimmy Buffett musical. She also served in that capacity for the show’s pre-Broadway tour. Erin's career has taken her from coast to coast, giving her the opportunity to work off-Broadway at the York Theatre and regionally with companies like Center Theatre Group/the Mark Taper Forum, the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra and the Sarasota Opera House. In addition to her directing career, Erin has worked professionally as a performer in theatre, film, and commercials, even spending a year as an agent assistant in LA. She couples her directing and performing knowledge with nearly two decades of teaching experience, covering a wide range of abilities from true beginners to Broadway performers and television stars.

Erin was previously an adjunct faculty member in musical theatre and dance at Florida Southern College and instructed/lectured in musical theatre, directing and theatre history at Penn State. She earned her MFA in Directing for the Musical Theatre Stage from Penn State University where she studied in their nationally recognized musical theatre program under the mentorship of veteran Broadway director and former SDC President Susan H. Schulman. Erin is also a proud graduate of The University of Michigan, where she earned her BFA in Acting from another nationally recognized program and studied alongside many future Broadway and film/TV stars.  

Some of her favorite university direction/choreography credits include American Idiot, Rock of Ages, The SongeBob Musical, The Bridges of Madison County, Sweet Charity, Hot n’ Cole, ‘S Wonderful!, Dreamgirls, The Wild Party, Stones in his Pockets, Romeo and Juliet, and many others. Professional direction/choreography credits include All Shook Up, Little Shop of Horrors, Oklahoma!, Bye Bye Birdie, Seussical, Footloose, Cinderella, Annie Get Your Gun, and Guys and Dolls among many others. Film direction: Hear Our Voices, Radio. Film producing: One Week at Woolworths, Flatbush Avenue.

Erin is a proud Associate of the Society of Directors and Choreographers (SDC), and an alumna of the Director’s Lab West.

Contact Info