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"Let's all support each other and help the Lynchburg community theatres thrive."
-Mark W. Foreman
Mark's Story
Mark was a modern day Renaissance Man. His interests included philosophy and biomedical ethics, which he taught at the university level for over thirty years; baseball, evidenced by his lifelong devotion to the Los Angeles Dodgers; magic, yet another form of performance art; and most prominently, theater. Mark began doing theater in high school. He was cast in the formative role of “The Baker” in Fiddler on the Roof in 1971, no doubt a groundbreaking performance that is sadly lost to time. Mark's first directing endeavor was a one-act called The Apple Tree at Westminster Choir College. Through Mark's youth, he developed a strong interest in vocal performance and studied that throughout the remainder of high school and college. After college, Mark's interests led him to other endeavors, including Dallas Theological Seminary and becoming the Chaplain and Bible Teacher at Oakland Christian High School in Auburn Hills, Michigan. His love of theater never left, however.
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​In 1983 while teaching in Michigan, Mark decided to introduce theater to the school. He designed, developed, and managed the theater program at Oakland Christian High School. He brought many productions to the school including The Music Man, The Sound of Music, Arsenic and Old Lace, and one of his favorites, The Fantasticks. Mark combined his love of teaching with his love of theater and the OCS Drama Program continues to this day.
​In 1989, Mark relocated with his family to Lynchburg, Virginia to continue his teaching career at Liberty University. His first role was in 1992 at the Lynchburg Fine Arts Center's production of Annie, playing Drake. Mark soon started directing at the Fine Arts Center as well with productions of The Mousetrap, The Fantasticks, and Annie Warbucks. Mark also branched over to Cherry Tree Players, Renaissance Theater, Commerce Street Theater, Little Town Players, Endstation and Wolfbane, acting and directing numerous times at each. Furthermore, he acted and directed in shows at Sweet Briar, Liberty University and Lynchburg College.
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Mark was known in the theater community as a man generous with his time, talent, humor, and compassion. His theatre family was extensive and branched over several organizations. He was a talented performer and director with a broad knowledge of what a theatre production needs and a wonderful ability of gathering people to help make those productions come to life. A practioner of theater, Mark loved all levels of performances from the professionals on Broadway to the educational school plays. This was evident in his sponsorship of "Theatre Thursday" on Radio434's The MIKE Show towards the end of his life. Mark believed in promoting all theater and investing in as much theater as possible.​
Mark's dedication to theater lives on through this Foundation, run by his loving family and dearest friends in the theater community.​
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