Clay Cooper Theatre’s Management Team

Introducing the team that makes the magic happen!

CLAY COOPER -

PRODUCER

One could say Clay Cooper has been groomed all his life for his current position as host of his own show, “Clay Cooper’s Country Express.” Born to a musical family in Wylie, Texas, his grandmother played the piano for the Wylie Baptist Church, and gave piano lessons for 20 years. His dad played guitar and performed at all local Opry shows. Clay first began singing at the Wylie Opry at the age of 14, and continued to perform there until 1986, when he then joined the Texas Goldminors and moved to Branson, performing at the Ozarks Country Jubilee. Since 1986, Clay has worked for many area shows, including the Country Review Show in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, the Down Home Country Show, the Buck Trent Show, the Jim Owens Show and Country Tonite, where he spent nine years as lead vocalist and emcee. In 1989, Evergreen Records released a single by Clay titled, “A Little Ground in Texas” which went to #60 on the Cash Box Charts. In 2003, Clay joined his buddy, Paul Harris, as the featured male-vocalist in Paul Harris Live. Clay and his wife, Tina, began Clay Cooper’s Country Express in 2005 in Branson, Missouri. Clay loves Branson and feels privileged to do what he loves while actively raising his boys, Colton and Caden. His oldest daughter, Cassidy, is now living in Texas pursuing a career in photography. Both Tina and Clay are truly thankful for the opportunity to perform with such a talented cast and supportive staff.

TINA COOPER -

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Oklahoma’s own, Tina Cooper, was born to perform! Tina began dancing at the age of three at her mom’s studio in the garage of their home. Tina continued her training through high school and graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Music Theatre from the University of Oklahoma. Tina worked at Frontier City and Opryland amusement parks. She also worked for Holland America Cruise Lines for two years and then headed for Branson, Missouri. Tina has been seen on several Branson stages performing in shows including Country Tonite, Celebrate America, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Dino’s Christmas Spectacular, Red Hot and Blue!, and Clay Cooper’s Country Express. Tina met Clay when working at Country Tonite and they married in 1999. They had Colt in 2003 and Caden in 2005. When Tina isn’t performing or managing the theatre, she enjoys working out and spending time with her family. Tina thanks her father, John, for believing in her dreams and in her husband. Tina and Clay thank God for the opportunity to do what they love with their family right here in Branson, Missouri!

MARLENE STARLING - ACCOUNTING MANAGER

Marlene was born in New York but raised in the shores of Santa Barbara, California. With her husband's calling as a pastor guiding their path, they crisscrossed the map from the golden hills of California to the lush forests of Oregon, the misty landscapes of Washington, and the windswept plains of Oklahoma. In 1986, they settled in Branson to support their daughter's career in entertainment. Branson became more than just a waypoint; it became home—a place of enduring love and belonging.

With roots now firmly planted in Branson, Marlene has cultivated a profound affection for the vibrant community. Her professional trajectory commenced during her high school years, when she joined employment under the tutelage of the County Auditor of Santa Barbara, California. Like pieces of a puzzle falling into place, she discovered an innate knack for numbers and the precision of financial management. From that moment on, accounting became not just a career but a lifelong pursuit of excellence, a passion she has diligently pursued. Whether engaged in corporate ventures or overseeing the financial intricacies of her enterprises, her acumen in accounting has proven indispensable.

Her trajectory took an exciting turn when Clay and Tina invited her to join them in their theater venture in 2010. In theater accounting, there is never a dull moment, each day bringing fresh challenges and unexpected joys, a testament to the magic of the stage and the indomitable spirit of those who bring it to life. From the moment I stepped foot into their bustling theater, I knew I had found my niche. The pulse of creativity, the whirlwind of activity, and the thrill of the spotlight—it was a world where numbers danced to the rhythm of storytelling, and every day brought a new adventure. Since that fateful day in January 2010, she has been a proud member of the theater family, watching in awe as the curtains rise and fall, each performance a symphony of artistry and dedication.

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