William H Lord

William H. Lord is a director, teacher, playwright, and Emeritus Professor of Theatre at the University of Illinois. He began his teaching career at Heidelberg College, a liberal arts school in Ohio, where he served as director of theatre and head of the Department of Speech At the University of Illinois, he supervised the graduate directors' workshop and later headed the MFA directing program for much of his 32-year tenure, directing a wide range of major works at the Krannert Center for the...See more

William H. Lord is a director, teacher, playwright, and Emeritus Professor of Theatre at the University of Illinois. He began his teaching career at Heidelberg College, a liberal arts school in Ohio, where he served as director of theatre and head of the Department of Speech At the University of Illinois, he supervised the graduate directors' workshop and later headed the MFA directing program for much of his 32-year tenure, directing a wide range of major works at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Lord was also the founding and artistic director of the company The Great American People Show, which was called ."..a national treasure" by the press. The Great American People Show, or GAPS, performed in New Salem, Illinois, for 20 years beginning in 1976. Under his direction, GAPS was the first theatre to win the Illinois Governor's Arts Award, presenting more than one thousand performances of original works drawn from American history. Lord holds a B.A. from Marietta College, an M.A. from the University of Illinois, and a Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. His work as playwright and director received numerous citations from the Illinois Legislature and the Governor of Illinois for its contribution to the people of Illinois. See less