"There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so.” - Hamlet
Dr. Bill Gelber is a Professor of Acting/Directing/Pedagogy. Known for his artistry in directing, his innovative approaches to teaching, and his lifelong dedication to education, Gelber is retiring after 24 years of faithful service at the end of the 25-26 academic year. He leaves behind a legacy that has shaped the TTU School of Theatre and Dance and the many students who have been fortunate enough to study with or be directed by him for years to come.
Gelber started his theatre journey at age 5 in The Night Before Christmas, playing Santa Claus. From that moment on, his love for theatre has only continued to grow. He started directing about 40 years ago, joining the faculty at Texas Tech in 2002, and has worked on many plays, including The Diary of Anne Frank, which the second show he directed here. He joined Texas Tech University in 2002. Over the years, he’s taught literally dozens of courses, including acting, directing, pedagogy, period styles, Shakespeare, Brecht, and Beckett, among other favorites.
In addition to his time teaching and directed, Dr. Gelber is a prolific scholar, publishing two books in the last three years: Engaging with Brecht: Making Theatre in the 21st Century and Making a Scene: Creating a Scene Study Class for Actors. He has published in many academic journals and presented at numerous conferences, including the prestigious International Brecht Society Symposium. In 2012, he even served as “Director of Theatre,” at the time, overseeing the production area.
Although Dr. Mark Charney, Director of the School of Theatre and Dance, is happy for Dr. Gelber, he can’t emphasize enough how much he will be missed.
“We often claim that every professor can be replaced, but I cannot imagine anyone who loves the profession or Texas Tech more than him,” says Charney. “The dedication he has shown to our program helped us to secure the new Theatre & Dance complex, and I cannot imagine our world without him in it.
In his final year of teaching, Gelber will stage a play he’s always dreamed of directing:
“Hamlet has been my favorite play for many years,” Gelber says. “Every time I study it, I discover new insights. I played the role of Hamlet when I was 22, probably too young to do it justice, but I didn’t know better. Later, I played Marcellus and Horatio in two different productions. I’ve seen many Hamlets, and although I have my favorites (Derek Jacobi being at the top of that list), I’m never disappointed at having yet another chance to be exposed to Shakespeare’s masterpiece. It has been a great pleasure to return to this work once again as I complete my last year at Texas Tech.”
Gelber has taught thousands of students over the years. Troy Lescher, now an assistant professor of theatre at California Polytechnic University, earned his doctorate at Texas Tech several years ago.
“Dr. Gelber truly exemplifies what it means to be an educator whose immense influence has profoundly shaped me and many others,” Lescher says. “He was an incredible part of my TTU experience, and I will forever consider him to be one of my most influential and supportive instructors. Even now, I continue to aspire to be the dynamic, kind, sensitive, and thoughtful champion for student-learning that Dr. Gelber exemplifies both in and out of the classroom.”
Another alum of Texas Tech, Bethany Crosby, is the counselor at Lubbock High School.
“Dr. Gelber believed in me and thus changed the trajectory of my academic and personal journey,” she writes. “I will forever be grateful for his willingness to trust me. He gave me confidence in a way that I had not experienced, and I know that I share one of many stories of students for whom he has created a lasting impact. I’m ecstatic to celebrate with him as he prepares for the final curtain call of his remarkable career.”
Though Dr. Gelber is retiring from the classroom, his contributions to theatre will not stop. He’s currently working on a book about British playwright Harold Pinter:
The book on Pinter examines ways that actors might approach his fascinating texts. From early directors like Peter Hall, to later interpreters such as Sam Mendes and Jamie Lloyd, artists continue to find brilliant means to realize his plays in performance. I’ve been teaching the works of Harold Pinter every year since 2003, when Pinter was still alive, and I constantly update my classes based on new research and contemporary productions. Students seem to enjoy the double nature of playing the characters, their true feelings masked by a veneer of civility.
As Dr. Gelber begins this new chapter, we celebrate not just his retirement, but the legacy he leaves behind. His impact will continue to shape our halls, our work, and our community for years to come.
Watch the full interview with Dr. Gelber.
Hamlet runs October 30-November 9 in the Charles E. Maedgen, Jr. Theatre. For more information, visit the School of Theatre & Dance website or call the box office at 806.742.3603.