Department of Theatre and Dance

• B.A. Teaching Theatre Arts Coordinator
• Reich College of Education Academic Program Director
• Reich College of Education Academic Content Consultant

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 holds a BS in Teaching Theatre K-12, and a MFA in Theatre Education/Theatre for Youth. He has been a college professor since 1999 and he currently serves as Professor and Academic Program Director of the Theatre Arts (BA) - Theatre Education program. 

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 current 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. He is the 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 and several other published works.

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