A Man For All Seasons

“Bobby’s dedication to SLT for over five decades is unparalleled,” board president Marianne Archibald stated. “He has achieved an incredible amount during his 27-year tenure as our Managing and Artistic Director, and his commitment to the theater is immeasurable. While we will miss his day-to-day leadership, we are thrilled that he has graciously offered to continue as a consultant and advisor to ensure the legacy he has built continues to thrive.”

Darrow’s connection with Shreveport Little Theatre began in 1973 when he worked backstage during the production of “Toys in the Attic” under the direction of Robert Buseick. His journey as an actor began at SLT in 1975 when he portrayed Prince Charming in “Snow White,” in the historic premiere stage production of a Walt Disney script.

In 1998, the theater faced financial challenges, with debts surpassing available funds. Darrow was invited by the board of directors to direct “Dearly Departed,” marking his first contribution as a director. Shortly thereafter, he assumed the role of Managing and Artistic Director. Under his steadfast leadership, SLT consistently delivered high-quality productions, breaking box office records and steadily increasing its membership and ticket sales over the ensuing decades. Throughout his tenure, SLT’s participants, including volunteer actors, board members, and patrons, increasingly mirrored the diverse community of northwest Louisiana.

In 2000, under Darrow’s guidance, the restoration of the original theater began with the expansion of the lobby and the addition of a courtyard. Fundraising efforts initiated in 2002 to rebuild the stage and backstage areas, which had been destroyed in a 1986 fire, saw success thanks to Darrow’s collaboration with Louisiana Senator Lydia P. Jackson and Representative Roy Burrell. The resulting $1,750,000 in State Capital Outlay Funding laid the foundation for a state-of-the-art, 15,200 square foot theater that opened on March 3, 2011. The inaugural production, Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire,” directed by Dr. Darrow, was met with critical acclaim.

As a grant writer during his tenure, Darrow secured over $1,200,000 in awards for the Shreveport Little Theatre and Academy.

As a director, Darrow achieved notable success with productions such as “Steel Magnolias,” “To Kill A Mockingbird,” “Greater Tuna,” “A Tuna Christmas,” “Smoke on the Mountain,” “Sanders Family Christmas,” “The Sound of Music,” and both productions of “Always, Patsy Cline.

A native of Shreveport, Darrow served as the student body president at C.E. Byrd High School. He earned his BA degree from Centenary College of Louisiana in 1981, his MA from LSUS in 2001, and his EdD in Leadership from LSUS in 2018. He boasts a diverse career, including a decade in corporate management, serving as CEO of several nonprofit organizations in Shreveport. Notably, with his physician, he established The Philadelphia Center in 1990, where he currently serves as the Executive Director Emeritus.

Darrow’s numerous accolades include the National Association of Christians and Jews’ “Unsung Hero Award” in 1996, the American Civil Liberties Union’s “Bill of Rights Award” for 1998-1999, the Community Foundation of North Louisiana’s 2008 “G. Scott Griffin Memorial Award,” The Philadelphia Center’s 2015 “Lifetime Achievement Award,” and The Times’ (Gannett’s) 2016 “Northwest Louisiana Prism Award.”