Ozarks Profile: Enoch C. Morris

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Enoch C. Morris|ret||ret||tab|

Executive director, Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts. The Hall opened in September 1992 after two years of construction. As part of Southwest Missouri State University, the Hall's mission is to present high-quality, professional performances, which help to meet the artistic, educational and cultural needs of southwest Missouri. The Hall presents a variety of events, including Broadway shows, world-class orchestras, dance companies and other outstanding artists, as well as develops educational residences and master classes, including commissioning and/or creating original works. Morris was invited to lead Hammons Hall in 1989, a year before construction began on the building. He is a member of the International Society for the Performing Arts and the International Association of Assembly Managers, and he is the president of Plains Presenters.|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Age: 50|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|No. of years in Springfield/area: 11|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Education: Morris holds a bachelor of fine arts degree in theater from the University of Memphis (formerly Memphis State University) and a master of fine arts degree from Wayne State University in Detroit, Mich.|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Early career: Before joining Hammons Hall, Morris managed a 1,700-seat performing arts center at the University of North Carolina-Pembroke. Morris said he "got hooked into the theater when I got a big laugh in the senior play in high school." He said after not excelling in the pre-law program in college, he decided the next best thing had to be show biz. After receiving his education, he was drawn back to the college campus, where he enjoyed teaching and producing "great plays that didn't necessarily have commercial viability." Morris moved into the realm of arts management after giving what he could to his students and creating an arts management degree. Morris was then offered the position at Hammons Hall and moved to Springfield with his family.|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Current projects: "Trying to persuade a few stubborn artists that they must play Hammons Hall next year and, also, beginning to think about the upcoming 10th anniversary season."|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Management philosophy: "Form a team that loves the arts and knows their role and goal. With dedication and knowledge, we all become a force that can provide an ideal place for the artist and the audience to meet."|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Spare-time pursuits: "I try to find time for gardening, golfing, barbecuing and participating in the arts with my family."|ret||ret||tab|

|bold_on|Family data: Morris is married to Debbie B. Morris, a teacher's aid at Greenwood Laboratory School. They have two daughters, Devon, who just made Kilties at Central High School, and Ryanne, who plays the violin for the Pershing Middle School Orchestra.|ret||ret||tab|

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