Steve Neumann

Owner, Artistic Director

Steve is originally from Stevensville, MI and graduated from Michigan State University with a B.A. in Theater. Steve started out in arts education back in 1999 at Camp Nissokone in Oscoda, MI where he ran the theate rprogram for two summers. Moving to California in 2001 allowed Steve to continue work in arts education while also indulging in his performance side which helped make him a true teaching artist.

As a performer, Steve has been in numerous productions including on stage in “Cabaret”, “Chess”, “Twelfth Night”, “Comedy of Errors”, “Henry V”, “Arsenic and Old Lace”, and as the title role in “Mr. Popper’s Penguins”. He also stars in the highly acclaimed web series, “The Land Pirates” where he plays Captain John Denver III. He also performs regularly with his Improv Troupe, “The Omelettes”. Steve has had some film festival success starring in the film, “Real Estate Superman”.

Steve is also an accomplished writer who is a Dramatists Guild member and is currently working on publishing his original musical, “Wonderland The Rock Musical”. He also has to Renaissance period fairytale adaptations into plays which have been performed at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire. He has also written the musical, “Band of Pirates” and “The Ugly Bug Ball” and was a freelance film reviewer for Screenpicks.com.

In arts education Steve has now been teaching for over ten years.He worked with the Greenway Arts Alliance teaching Shakespeare at Fairfax High in Hollywood. He has also trained with The Center Theatre Group in the Dana Internship Program where he worked for Ready Set Play and the Annenberg Middle School Program. Here he was certified in visual and performing arts state standards. Steve has taught afterschool enrichment classes in numerous school districts. Steve is a former Program Director for Kids On Stage and was the summer camp director in Manhattan Beach for Performing Arts Workshops for 10 years. In 2009 Steve was named the National Enrichment Teacher of the Year. Steve opened Sunset Theatre Company in late 2007 and has since directed,”Trixie the Teen Detective”, “Legally Blonde” (twice), “Hercules”, “Spamalot” (twice), “Aladdin”, “Wonderland The Rock Musical”, “Into the Woods Jr.”, “Damn Yankees” (twice), “Oklahoma”, “Annie”, “Hairspray”, and “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”, “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, “Once On This Island”,  “The Addams Family”, “The Drowsy Chaperone”, “Guys and Dolls”, “Urinetown”. He received a nomination from the National Youth Arts Awards for Best Direction for “The Addams Family”.  Steve has won Best Direction for “Spamalot” in 2017 and received an additional 2 nominations with the National Youth Arts Awards. “Spamalot was also the recipient of Production of the Year. Steve has developed Sunset’s curriculum and continues to expand it and grow the company. He is a member of the Educational Theatre Association and The International Thespian Society. In 2011, with the help of his wife Lindsey, they introduced their Michigan Enrichment Classes. In 2013 they opened the doors to their own studio. Sunset is a special place for Steve and it will continue to grow and theatrically enhance the lives of children for many more years!