Henry Wishcamper Joins Goodman Theatre’s Artistic Collective

Henry Wishcamper brings an electric energy to Goodman Theatre’s annual production of A Christmas Carol that draws audience cheers like at an Oscar movie premiere. This year he introduced an exciting twist that made everyone excited!

Lillian Hellman’s 1939 thriller The Little Foxes revolves around monsters from the South who are rich and money-grubbing. Henry Wishcamper’s production is larger-than-life but never overshadows its characters.

Early Life and Education

Henry Wishcamper has joined Goodman Theatre’s Artistic Collective as its newest member, joining fellow American theatre artists who have helped build its global renown over three decades. Award-winning playwrights, directors and actors make up this collective who work under Artistic Director Robert Falls’ creative guidance to shape creative leadership at Goodman.

70 years since Lillian Hellman’s psychologically disturbing Southern Gothic The Little Foxes debuted, and still its psychological terror has the ability to make your blood run cold. At its center is the Hubbard family: an unscrupulous bunch, sheltering beneath magnolia blossoms.

Henry Wishcamper is currently artistic director for Katharsis Theater Company and previously served as a Drama League directing fellow at Maine Summer Dramatic Institute. Additionally, Henry has directed at New York venues including Manhattan Theatre Club, LCT3 and Atlantic Theater Company.

Professional Career

Henry Wishcamper is an award-winning theater director and community developer. Currently, he is leading the restoration efforts at The Forum in Bronzeville – a beautiful 1897 social and assembly hall that served as the heart of civic, cultural, and political life for much of Chicago’s Black Belt area. He is also a member of the Goodman Theatre’s Artistic Collective and has directed various productions there, such as The Little Foxes, Ask Aunt Susan, Animal Crackers and A Christmas Carol. He has directed productions at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, The Birds: Conor McPherson’s American premiere at Guthrie Theater; Engaging Shaw and Irma Vep Mystery at Old Globe and The Seafarer/Speech and Debate production at TheaterWorks respectively. Furthermore he founded Katharsis Theater Company in New York and Maine Summer Dramatic Institute both located in Portland.

Achievement and Honors

Henry Wishcamper is one of ten American theater artists that comprise Goodman Theatre’s Artistic Collective. They have cemented its international standing over three decades through productions like The Little Foxes, Ask Aunt Susan, Animal Crackers and Other Desert Cities as well as Talking Pictures which Henry directed himself.

He has also directed the New York premieres of Ellen Fairey’s Girl 20 and Graceland at LCT3, Conor McPherson’s Port Authority at Atlantic Theater Company, The Polish Play at Katharsis Theatre Company and Speech & Debate at Hartford TheaterWorks – while serving as artistic director of Katharsis and Maine Summer Dramatic Institute respectively.

Wishcamper used Hollywood-level sets and costumes in A Christmas Carol’s production at Goodman Theatre, transporting audiences back to 19th-century London. The production earned two Joseph Jefferson Awards nominations with Larry Yando and Shannon Cochran winning top acting honors.

Personal Life

Henry Wishcamper is a Resident Artistic Associate at Chicago’s Goodman Theatre and member of their Artistic Collective. At Goodman he has directed multiple plays such as “Little Foxes”, Ask Aunt Susan”, Other Desert Cities”, Animal Crackers”, Talking Pictures” as well as Talking Pictures”. Additionally he has worked at Manhattan Theatre Club LCT3 Graceland Port Authority Polish Play and Pullman Car Hiawatha by Keen Company among many others in New York.

He is also one of the founding members of Build Bronzeville, an organization which strives to revitalize Bronzeville as an economic, social and cultural center through restoration of a landmark 1897 social and assembly hall. He serves on their board of directors. Furthermore, he holds trustee status at Bowdoin College Museum of Art.

Net Worth

Wishcamper hails from Maine and owns a real estate investment company specializing in affordable housing. Since 1970 he has been involved with renovation of buildings to become affordable units. Additionally, Wishcamper serves on several non-profit boards including public school systems and non-profit associations.

Aaron Carter spoke with Conor McPherson and Henry Wishcamper of their approach to The Night Alive play, noting how Wishcamper is great with new plays, has energy to spare, and an effective method for working with actors.

Jaci Soderlind serves as Chief Financial Officer of The Wishcamper Companies and oversees all accounting, finance, and tax matters of the firm. With more than 15 years of experience gained through working for both large Portland accounting firms as well as Big Four firms’ private wealth practices, she brings extensive expertise.