On this episode of Because… we hear the because of Theatrical Artist Shelley Cooper.Cooper is currently the Assistant Professor of Musical Theatre at Augustana College in Rock Island, IL . Shelley has performed all over the world for a number of companies such as Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra, Walt Disney World, Universal Studios, Monroe Symphony, Chicago Summer Opera, Opera Quad Cities, Orlando Repertory Theatre, Shawnee Summer Theatre, Redhouse Arts Center, Varna Opera Theatre, Bangkok Theatre Festival, and the Simbiose Produções (MOVE Studio) in São Paulo, Brazil and the Venetian Macao in Macau, China. Most noted performances are “Johanna" in Sweeney Todd starring Tony-Award Winning Actress, Faith Prince, “Nellie” in South Pacific,“Cinderella” in Into the Woods, “Ariel” in The Little Mermaid, "Armida" in Rinaldo, “Edith” in Pirates of Penzance, “Berta” Il barbiere di Siviglia at the Varna Opera Theatre in Bulgaria and the Soprano soloist in Handel's Messiah with Bangkok International Orchestra. Her original one-woman show, La Divina: The Last Interview of Maria Callas has been performed on three continents.Shelley has also found great success as a director for opera directing the world premiere opera, Karkinos and Two Remain for the Quad City Symphony. Shelley is a proud Associate Member of the Stage Directors and Choreographer’s Society.