Sharon Stokes Oberst

Sharon Stokes Oberst is Professor Emerita of Dance at Western Oregon University where she taught ballet technique, pedagogy, dance history, dance production, dance and gender and dance in musical theatre courses for 32 years. She attended the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Houston and studied at the Houston Ballet Academy. She has performed with the Houston Ballet, Eugene Ballet, Allegro Ballet of Houston, Beaumont Ballet Theatre and Houston Theatre Under the Stars. Oberst earned a bachelor’s degree and secondary teaching certifications in dance and theatre from Lamar University and master’s degree in dance from the University of Oregon. Her research has focused on dance administration, pedagogy, the history of dance in musical theatre and film and historical dance forms for the theatre. In addition to choreographing for concert dance, Oberst choreographs theatrical productions such as Romeo and Juliet, BobRauschenbergAmerica, and Pride and Prejudice. Oberst has directed and choreographed numerous musical productions including Kiss Me, Kate, Victor/Victoria, West Side Story, Thoroughly Modern Millie and 42nd Street. She has served on the Board of Directors, as Treasurer and Secretary for CORPS de Ballet International, a professional organization dedicated to the development, exploration, and advancement of ballet in higher education. She was honored with the organization’s Award for Outstanding Service in 2007 and 2018. Professor Oberst is the 2006 recipient of the Western Oregon University Mario and Alma Pastega Excellence in Teaching Award.