Take a Bow: Theatre Professor George Angell Retires
Professor of Theatre George Angell arrived at Hillsdale College in 1984 with the understanding that he would stay for one year. Thirty-four years later, he has directed nearly 100 shows.
“My favorite show is whichever one I’m working on at the moment,” Angell says, “although one of the highlights of my career was our performance of Macbeth that we took to Milwaukee.” Another highlight was performing summer shows at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Angell received his undergraduate degree in theatre from Tufts University and his graduate degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.
“The most important part of my experience here at Hillsdale has been the students,” Angell says. “There are so many of them that I have stayed in touch with, and they have become significant parts of my life.”
He has also enjoyed working with his faculty colleagues.
“Theatre is a collaborative activity, and you have to be on the same wavelength as the people with whom you’re creating,” Angell says. “There has been a really good crew here for a long time.”
Angell says that theatre puts the liberal arts into practice, because it employs knowledge gained in many different branches of study.
“Everything we study on this campus shows up in the theatre,” Angell says. “For example, lighting and sound design require an understanding of physics; set and costume design make use of chemistry; and foreign languages, history, psychology, economics, and politics all make their way into performances.”
Angell considers his career at Hillsdale well spent.
“I feel I have accomplished something and was not just marking time,” Angell says. “I have always been a strong proponent of the College’s approach to the liberal arts and the idea that all areas of study are connected.”
Printed in the Spring 2018 Alumni Magazine