Dr. John Lawton Haehl
Director,Theatre Arts Program
Dr. John Lawton Haehl grew up in San Francisco, attending SF Public schools and studying Theatre at American Conservatory Theatre. He studied at The Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies in Oxford, and completed two BAs at U.C. Berkeley (English & Theatre Arts). After completing his Ph.D. in Theatre History & Research with a Designated Emphasis in Women & Gender Studies in 2000, JLH taught at U.C. Davis for several years in both the Theatre Arts and Women & Gender Studies Programs. In 2002 & 2003, he directed the February Five Star benefit show of The Vagina Monologues. He designed costumes for over a dozen productions at UCD including the 2002 Spring Dance Concert – an opulent series of performances requiring more than 500 costume pieces. He has designed for Foot Hill Theatre Company, San Francisco Actors Ensemble, Solano College, U.C. Berkeley, Napa Valley Theatre Company, and Solo Opera at the Lesher Center, Walnut Creek. He has received recognition for his costume designs including an Arty Award and two Ellys for his work at Solano College.
Dr. Haehl was hired by Gavilan College in 2006 as Program Director for the Theatre Arts Program. He has directed/designed over 20 productions at Gavilan including: Twelfth Night, Cabaret, Taming of the Shrew, Lend Me A Tenor, Tales from the American West, and Evita. JLH has created several new courses in practical theatre: Introduction to Design (THEA 15), Introduction to Costume Design (THEA 25), and Introduction to Lighting (THEA 27). All of which are part of the new AA-T in Theatre, as well as the existing AAs in Technical Theatre and Acting. As part of his commitment to shared governance, he has served as Co-Chair of the Learning Council and several years on Academic Senate including: serving as Fine Arts Senator, 3 terms as Vice President, and one term as President. Dr. Haehl has created a new summer bridge program in Theatre for GE and Theatre Arts students at Gavilan College and looks forward to creating learning opportunities in Theatre at the new Coyote Creek and expanding Hollister campuses.
Dr. John can be reached at jlawtonhaehl@gavilan.edu