Rate My Professor Frank Barnhart

Frank Barnhart is the Lead Instructor of Theatre in the Humanities Department at Columbus State Community College. He holds a B.F.A. in Theatre from Ohio University, an M.A. in Mass Communication and Journalism from Kent State University, and an M.F.A. in Theatre from The Ohio State University. For over 25 years, Barnhart has been an integral member of the Central Ohio theatre community, performing roles as an actor, director, administrator, and professor. He previously served as Executive Director of Actors’ Theatre of Columbus, where he stepped down in 2011. Barnhart was honored as “Best Director of the Year” by the Central Ohio Critics Circle for his production of Company at Gallery Players. His extensive experience in theatre production and education underscores his commitment to fostering artistic talent and community engagement through performance arts.

At Columbus State Community College, Barnhart has directed over eleven plays, including standout productions such as The Laramie Project, The Triangle Factory Fire Project, The Shape of Things, Reckless, The Dining Room, LOVE/SICK by John Cariani, and The Shadow Box by Michael Cristofer. For The Laramie Project, The Triangle Factory Fire Project, and The Shape of Things, he received Central Ohio Theatre Roundtable Awards for Excellence in Directing. In the 2025 production of The Shadow Box, Barnhart not only directed but also appeared as a featured actor. He earned the Distinguished Teacher Award from the college, recognizing his transformative impact on the theatre program. Barnhart reshaped the Fundamentals of Acting course, more than tripling enrollment, and created an advanced acting course. Additionally, he contributed educational content on LGBTQ+ Theatre Before Stonewall and The Celluloid Closet to the college library’s Voices in the Street: Stonewall at 50 project. His teaching approach connects deeply with students, infusing classes with excitement and passion, as evidenced by his sustained influence on enrollment and student engagement in theatre studies.