Department of Theatre and Dance

Degrees and Licensure:

• B.S., Appalachian State University
  Teaching Theatre, Grades K-12
• NC Methods Teaching Licensure K-12
• M.F.A., Arizona State University
  Theatre - Theatre Education & Theatre for Young Audiences

Specialty courses

• Methods of Teaching Theatre (K-5, 6-8, 9-12), Theatre for Social Change, Theatrical Makeup

Mr. Gordon Hensley joined the department in 2004 and will retire in 2026 as a tenured professor. He holds a BS in Teaching Theatre (K-12) and an MFA in Theatre Education/Theatre for Youth. Mr. Hensley originated the theatre education position in the department and served as Professor and Academic Program Director of the Education concentration in Theatre Arts for 22 years. 

Mr. Hensley is a theatre practitioner with an extensive background in performance, directing, technical work, conference presentations, and service to the field of theatre and education. He has worked professionally as a national and regional puppeteer, actor, singer, and dancer, and has worked backstage on national Broadway tours of “Hairspray,” “Spamalot,” “The Color Purple,” “Shrek The Musical,” “The Addams Family,” “Mamma Mia,” “Young Frankenstein,” and more.

Mr. Hensley holds a NC Methods Faculty Teaching License for grades K-12, and as an arts specialist, he has had the privilege of working with children and adults of all ages. Beyond serving as the program director for Appalachian Young People's Theatre, he was also the founder and director of the Cre8tive Drama summer camp, Theatre In Our Schools day of workshops, and the Appalachian Summer Theatre Education Program.  Mr. Hensley has written a full-length play, a youth theatre version of "Winnie the Pooh," and has several other published works.

With ample experience in curriculum development and program design, Mr. Hensley proudly serves as the state representative for the American Alliance for Theatre and Education and regularly worked with/for the N.C. Department of Public Instruction.