Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt Harrell, Jr. (Theater Director) a native of Miami, Florida is the proud son of Mrs. Leotha Sands Harrell and the late Mr. Theodore Roosevelt Harrell, Sr. Teddy is an arts administrator for Miami-Dade County’s Department of Cultural Affairs recently named the Theater Director for the Joseph Caleb Auditorium and former Assistant Theater Director at the Marshall L. Davis, Sr. African Heritage Cultural Arts Center (DAHCAC) where he was responsible for the location selection at the AHCAC for the Academy Award-winning film, Moonlight, assisting that film’s producers with casting South Florida talent. Teddy was awarded the 2024 Employee of the Year No Wrong Door Customer Service Excellence Award. Teddy has worked in government for over thirty years with stints at the State of Florida Department of Children and Families, Dreyfus Health Foundation, American Red Cross, FEMA, City of North Miami, Belafonte TACOLCY Center, City of Hallandale Beach – Weed and Seed and Miami-Dade County’s Community Action and Human Services Department.

Teddy’s early aspirations in the arts led him to study the disciplines of music education, vocal music and theatrical arts at Miami-Dade Community College’s North Campus and the University of Miami where he was named WLRN’s 1989 Outstanding New Vocal Student. While in college, Teddy performed with professional bands and was cast in theatrical roles on the mainstage while studying with legendary educators in the arts such as Dr. Ken Boos, the late Barbara Lowery, John Pryor and Grammy Award-winning artist Jon Secada. Teddy left the U of M to accept a performing artist job with the Drifters in Europe’s Mallorca, Spain and London, England. Never dismissing his passion for the stage, he has been among the ensemble of two Carbonell Award winning productions of Parade at Broward Stage Door and AIDA at Actor’s Playhouse and has earned Carbonell Award Recognitions for his direction of the musical, Simply Simone-The Music of Nina Simone, Jesus Hopped The “A” Train and co-producer for the Mighty Gents and Regina Taylor’s musical Crowns. Teddy co-founded the African American Performing Arts Community Theatre (AAPACT) in 1999 where he contributed to performing, directing and producing over twenty productions. He currently holds an Organizational Leadership Bachelor’s degree and an Executive Management Professional Studies Master’s degree from St. Thomas University. Teddy is a proud father to Olivia and Trey.