Author onstage, cursing darkness, offered light

EDUCATION/TRAINING
1978 Masters GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY, an individually designed program of live performance and writing arts; final paper published, performed on Georgia Public Television; created performance art series

1971 Bachelors GEORGIA STATE UNIVERSITY Degree in English and creative writing with a minor in Folklore (field research and collections are a part of the Georgia Folk Life Museum, especially the only existing video in the country of traditional chair maker Walter Shellnut); created and edited the Literary Magazine of the South

1968 Attended ANTIOCH COLLEGE 2 semesters studied Shakespeare with Milton Goldberg (nation's foremost Shakespeare scholar of the day); was his office assistant. Also music composition and construction with John Cage (developed the "poem program system"of musical composition still taught in some Cage courses)

1966 GOVERNOR'S HONORS PROGRAM Drama
studied acting and directing techniques with Dr. Johnson, then the head of the Theatre Department for Indiana University, and the Broadway actor Jay Garner

1963-68 Actors and Writers Workshop
studied acting, writing, directing, and theatre history with Walter Roberts (yes, the father of Eric and Julia Roberts); performed for the Governor, Dr. Martin Luther King, and State wide tours

PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYMENT
DIRECTOR OF THEATRE, Clayton State University, current
*head program (developed theatre major for the University)
*direct all productions
*teach upper division and graduate courses

AUTHOR, DELL BOOKS & ST. MARTIN'S PRESS 1997-Present
*Created the Flap Tucker series of mysteries (5 novels as of 2003, Shamus finalist)
*Edgar Award winner, 2003
*Created Fever Devilin series for St. Martin's (3 novels as of 2005)

DIRECTOR, TOWNSEND CENTER/PERFORMING ARTS 1995-1998
*Created and implemented seasons for the TOWNSEND CENTER also chief administrator (hire/fire staff etc.)
*Theatre Faculty, STATE UNIVERSITY OF WEST GEORGIA
*Resident playwright/theatre composer
*Instructor in all artistic theatre curriculum
*Administration general (Curriculum committees, Semester Conversion)

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, THEATRICAL OUTFIT 1991-1995
*Created and implemented new artistic mission; received national publicity
*Produced, directed , wrote, or scored over 30 plays
*Served on the Board of Directors
*Generated grants
*Taught master classes
*Served as chief administrator (hire/fire staff, etc.)

ARTIST IN RESIDENCE, GEORGIA COUNCIL FOR THE ARTS 1980-1990
*Conducted over 125 residencies throughout the State of Georgia
*Published 7 books of student work resulting from residences
*Served as advisor to school systems
*Conducted teacher workshops

COMPOSER IN RESIDENCE, ACADEMY THEATRE 1982-1988
*Composed music for 37 productions
*Acted as musical director
*Created new musical work