CULLMAN, Ala. – Wayne Cook, theatre instructor and director at Cullman High School, has been named the 2026 Troupe Director of the Year by Alabama Thespians.
Cullman High School described the award as an annual honor presented to one Alabama theatre teacher for dedication to theatre education and the promotion of the fine arts within his or her community.
The recognition begins with students. According to Alabama Thespians, any student may nominate a troupe or technical director for the award. Nominees must be members of the Educational Theatre Association, and applications are reviewed by an awards committee.
The selection criteria consider whether a director provides students with additional coaching and support, expects excellence and helps a troupe reach new levels of achievement.
Cook leads a team that has built one of Alabama’s most accomplished high school theatre programs. Cullman High School has earned four Best in Show state titles at the Walter Trumbauer State Theatre Festival.
The winning productions were “Scrooge: The Musical” in 2017, “The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane” in 2022, “The Old Man and the Old Moon” in 2024 and “Suite Surrender” in 2025.
The 2025 State Trumbauer Festival brought together approximately 2,200 students from more than 120 Alabama high schools for individual events, group performances, studio productions and one-act plays.
Cullman Theatre’s work has also reached regional and national stages. The program has represented Alabama at the Southeastern Theatre Conference and participated in the International Thespian Festival.
Cullman High School’s Troupe 142 presented “Charlotte’s Web,” directed by Cook, as Alabama’s Chapter Select one-act production at the 2025 International Thespian Festival. The Southeastern Theatre Conference’s secondary school festival is a juried showcase featuring productions selected to represent their respective states.
Cook’s influence extends beyond Cullman High School. He founded the current Cullman Community Theatre and remains active with the organization as a board member, director and actor.
Cook and fellow Cullman High School theatre educator Sarah Jane Skinner have directed 37 productions in the Cullman community. Cook has also directed or collaborated on numerous additional productions.
He currently serves as financial director on Alabama Thespians’ executive and governing board.
Cook is a Cullman High School alumnus who earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Samford University. His school biography credits him with more than 40 years of involvement in theatre and production.
“These kids are so talented, but they also work very hard,” Cook told The Tribune following Cullman’s 2024 state championship. “They are committed to being winners and therefore they are winners.”
Cook is married to Robin Bowling Cook, an English teacher at Cullman High School. Their son, Carter, is a sixth grader at Cullman Middle School.
Cullman High School described Cook as passionate about exposing students to the fine arts and a strong advocate for the educational and personal opportunities school theatre provides.
