BILL JENKINS
CHAIR - Ball State University Department of Theatre and Dance
Bill Jenkins is proud to be the Chair of Ball State University’s Department of Theatre and Dance where he serves as a Full Professor of Musical Theatre, Directing, and Acting. Since arriving at Ball State, he has directed several shows including The Laramie Project (which was selected as the national alternate for the KC/ACTF Competition), The Drowsy Chaperone and Shrek (with guest faculty member Sutton Foster), Baby, Noises Off, Damn Yankees, 42nd Street, A Flea in Her Ear, A Little Night Music, Cabaret, Thoroughly Modern Millie, and Doubt among others. Mr. Jenkins also annually directs Ball State's "New York Showcase" with NY Casting Director Rachel Hoffman and the “Chicago Showcase” with Artistic Director of Drury Lane Oakbrook Bill Osetek.
Professor Jenkins is an active professional director who is a proud member of the Society of Director’s and Choreographers Union (SDC). His experiences include directing over 50 shows at venues such as Drury Lane Oakbrook, Noble Fool Theatricals, Famous Door Theatre Company, The Clarence Brown Theatre, Actor’s Theatre of Indiana, The Illinois Shakespeare Festival. and The Nebraska Repertory Theatre among others.
In addition to his directorial credits, Professor Jenkins is the past president of the Mid-America Theatre Conference (MATC), is a proud recipient of the prestigious MATC Fellowes Award for Lifetime Achievement, was named Outstanding Administrator at Ball State in 2015, and, most recently, he was awarded the prestigious Benny Award as the Outstanding Alumnus from Ball State University.
Professor Jenkins received his MFA in directing from Illinois State University, and also holds a Master's and Bachelor's degree from Ball State University in communication studies and acting. His greatest role is that of husband to his wife Sarah and father to his children Catherine Rose and Teddy Ryan.