Director | Scenic Designer | Storyteller
Meet a new CSJ member and the upcoming Director of The Full Monty!
We’re thrilled to introduce Charles Packard, the director for our upcoming production of The Full Monty! While some of you may recognize Charles from last season’s Escanaba in da Moonlight, many in our Jackson community are meeting him for the first time. With decades of experience in directing, producing, and scenic design, Charles brings a wealth of theatrical knowledge – and heart – to the stage. Before we hit the ground running with auditions this August, we invite you to get to know the man behind the vision in this month’s Member Spotlight!
Director | Scenic Designer | Storyteller
When Charles Packard came across a social media post last year announcing Escanaba in da Moonlight, it stopped him in his tracks. “It’s a favorite of mine,” he said. “I’ve produced it before, I’ve done designs for it before – but here was a chance to direct. So I threw my toque in da ring.”
That spark of enthusiasm speaks volumes about Charles, whose love for storytelling and theatre is as layered as his resume. As a seasoned director and scenic designer, he doesn’t just step into productions – he builds them from the ground up. His experience spans stages across the country, and one of his most powerful memories comes from directing Black Elk Speaks at The Aurora Fox in Colorado. The production called for the careful and respectful collaboration of 24 First Nations performers, including Douglas Goodfeather and Moses Brings Plenty. Charles remembers their grace vividly:
“They were patient with my missteps and made me feel welcome in their rehearsals. I provided the stage, paid the bills, and found the audience. They told the story.”
Outside of the theater, Charles’s talents have found unexpected – and even surreal – application. Once, his skills as a scenic designer led to a federal courtroom, where he served as an expert witness in a death penalty case. He built a full-scale replica of a prison cell inside the courtroom for the jury to examine.
While he’s most passionate about whatever project he’s currently immersed in, Charles dreams of producing, designing, and directing Fahrenheit 451 someday. He’s also itching to create his own adaptations of A Christmas Carol and Moby Dick.
Why does community theatre matter to him?
“It serves to bond the community. The shared experience of witnessing a story told live by your friends and family – surrounded by your close and distant neighbors – creates a closer, more empathetic community.”
We couldn’t agree more.
