News

“Classic Lewis” Found in Stories He Shares

(Released 7/15/2010)

JAMESTOWN - "Quiet, Please!"

Professor Bill Lewis has another story to tell. This is where listeners can discover the "classic Lewis" - the teacher whose poignant stories teach his students, and endear him to students and co-workers.

When Lewis, founder of the GTCC Theatre and the school's drama program, starts talking loudly and points his index finger upward, students know it is time to listen. He has a story to tell - or maybe two or three tales.

The quietness is soon gone! Laughter rings from the theatre classroom when Lewis shares his wisdom or "whatever occurs to him" at the moment.

"He is a genius with his stories," said Laura Simcox, the new interim costumer and technical director of the drama program. "He doesn't know it but I have stood outside the door to the theater and listened. Bill has fascinating and often hilarious stories to support his lectures," she said.

"His voice echoes down two hallways and so does the laughter of his students," she said.

The department staff also got at least one Lewis story each day - sometimes more, Simcox said.

Within a few days someone else will have to spin the tales and evoke the laughter. Dr. William R. Lewis, the soul of GTCC drama, will retire Aug. 1 after nearly 22 years at the college and a love affair with theater that spans more than 40 years. He not only is the department's only full-time professor, he also is head of the drama program.

"The weird thing is that I've lasted this long," said Lewis, who was hired as a part- time speech instructor in 1988 and by1989 had written the entire curriculum for the college's startup drama department.

Dr. Ray Needham, president of GTCC until 1990, wanted a drama program. Lewis was given the green light to develop the program.

"I am one of those rare people who got to do what he wanted to do. My real pleasure (in the drama department) is producing. I like putting the team together. I'm a facilitator," Lewis said.

"Bill created the drama program from literally an idea in his head," said JoAnn Buck, department chair and professor of English and Humanities. "He was focused, set goals and attained them, and created the program courses and the seasons of plays presented," Buck added.

"He has worked tirelessly to build a drama program at GTCC," said Shelly Lutzweiler, chair of communications and fine arts. "He has had many successfulgraduates and he follows their careers very closely. His graduates think a great deal of him," she said.

"The program is excellent and the accomplishments of our alumni prove it," said Simcox, who describes Lewis as a "genuine all-around 'theatre person.' By this I mean that Bill has experience in acting, directing, technical direction, carpentry, electrics, acting coaching, publicity, house management, stage management, floor mopping, floor painting, scenic painting, props gathering, lighting design, carpet cleaning, play writing and ticket-taking."

Never mind that he's a PhD. The unpretentious Lewis has "done it all" to help GTCC become one of the best community college theater programs in the Southeast "as he is fond of saying," Simcox said.

Lewis, a West Virginia native, earned his undergraduate degree at Glenville State College, his Master's degree in theatre at West Virginia University and his doctorate in theatre at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale.

"You don't have to know Bill well to enjoy his sense of humor," said Michael Kamtman, the new interim director of the drama program. "He loves to laugh and he loves to make others laugh, whether with one of his colorful stories, his limitless supply of jokes or simply one of his daily observations about life - or even about himself."

Lewis isn't merely about laughter - albeit, he does make learning fun. "One of the greatest gifts he has given to me and his many students is entrusting us with responsibility," Kamtman said. "This, perhaps more than anything, has allowed us all to evolve in countless ways," he said.

Kamtman also appreciates Lewis' directness. "You always know where you stand with him, and he always tells the truth."

Lewis does things the right way, Kamtman said. "He is true to himself and to his work. In turn, he tries to inspire his students to do their best and to learn how to do things the right way."

He also is known for his generosity, not only sharing vegetables from his garden but sometimes his lunch with a student.

Lewis, who has written a half dozen plays, acted in some 20 or more and directed at least 50, loves theatre - "something that is more emotional than real - a fantasy world."

It was a world that he discovered after he left the nest of Ray Lewis, "a singer and a comedian in the tradition of the Grand Ole Opry."

"I never saw my father perform but he put me before a microphone when I was a little kid," Lewis said. "I did DJ stuff when I was in high school," he said.

Even bigger in Lewis' life than his love of theatre is his family - two sons, a new grandchild and wife Karen. He and Karen Yoak met in college, and she has had her own successful career as a choral singer.

Kamtman noted that Lewis is a "creator of systems and traditions. He has created ways to effectively and efficiently run this drama program that maximizes education and training opportunities for students."

Lewis also has established meaningful traditions and "made the theater experiences personal and memorable and, at times, magical," Kamtman said.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: Karen Yoak is correct spelling.