Van Stewman is proud to be directing his first show for Arts One Presents. He was born and raised in Mena, Arkansas, where each year he eagerly awaited the annual television broadcast of his favorite movie, The Wizard of Oz, mesmerized as Dorothy stepped into the Technicolor of Munchkinland, and terrified (and still is) as Aunt Em’s image in the crystal ball morphed into the Wicked Witch of the West. He is the theater teacher at Lakeside Jr. High in Springdale, where he’s directed a dozen plays over the last 8 years. As an actor, over the last 40 years he has appeared locally in shows at The University of Arkansas, Arts Center of the Ozarks, and Rogers Little Theater (including as the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz). He’s done national commercials for Folger’s Coffee, Geico Insurance, Hardee’s, Got Milk?, Sport Clips, and others. Locally, he was Bubba Fontaine for a decade for Steve Smith Country in Springdale. On television, he co-starred in Sliders and Family Matters. Films include War Eagle, Arkansas, Running the Bases, and the soon-to-be released Violent Ends. In a previous lifetime, he taught math and coached basketball, football, cross country, track, and baseball at Bentonville High School, Walton and Lincoln Jr. High Schools, and at Central Jr. High in Springdale. He lives in Springdale with his wife, Dr. Regina Stewman, principal of Sonora Elementary, and is proud to be the father of Peyton and Cassidy.