Saddleback College Theatre of Arts Is Thrilled with Bill

Adds William Francis McGuire to its esteemed faculty

Posted by CotoBlogzz

Rancho Santa Margarita, CA – Earlier this week The Department of Music at Saddleback College announced the addition of Dr. Ariel Alexander to its music faculty, where she will be teaching Music Appreciation, History of Rock and Popular Song Writing.  Last week, the Department of Music announced world renowned  conductor Yorgos Kouritas as a new faculty member.   Today, not to be outdone, the  Department of Theatre Arts at Saddleback College announced  that new faculty member William Francis McGuire will be teaching Voice and Diction, Acting Fundamentals, Scene Study I and Scene Study II.

And down the line, he hopes to add a Shakespeare class to his repertoire.  He will also be directing the play Almost, Maine by John Cariani on November 8-11 in the McKinney Theatre.

 Department of Theatre Arts Chair Kent McFann, stated:

 “I am thrilled that Professor McGuire  has joined the Department of Theatre Arts faculty. He comes to us with a wealth of professional credits as an actor in film, television and theatre, as well as experience as an educator at the university level. Professor McGuire’s experience, knowledge and leadership will help to create a world-class actor-training program for the 21^st century here at Saddleback College.”

Professor McGuire (Bill) has an extensive background of acting in plays, movies and television, but theatre acting is his first love.  Being on stage in front of a live audience is energizing to him.  As a new faculty member, Bill will work with Kent McFann, Department Chair, in growing the program and giving students the opportunity to work in all aspects of theatre.  When asked what his aspirations are for his students, Bill responded, “I want them to be challenged in their classes, successful in their lives and to learn acting skills along with life skills.  I would like them to ask questions and look beyond the easy façade in order to see what’s really underneath.”  Bill’s goal is for Saddleback College to be a strong acting program, and he wants to give students a solid foundation for growth and success.  He would also like to create more performance opportunities. 

ADVERTISEMENT Beggriffenfeldt in Peer Gynt and many more.  Also Henry V and Macbeth at the Shakespeare Theatre,Tropeano Paints at the Bay Street Theatre, The Boys Next Door at the American Repertory Theatre, Search and Destroy at Yale Repertory, and numerous others.

If Bill looks familiar, you might have seen him in movies like The Day After Tomorrow or Mission Impossible lll, such television shows as CSI, Castle, Saving Grace, The Mentalist, Weeds, Numb3rs, Crossing Jordan, Navy N.C.I.S., Without A Trace, NYPD Blue, and ER, to name a few, or maybe as the Dodge Ram Hemi Guy fending off a couple of losers. Bill works regularly at South Coast Repertory. Recent appearances there include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, A Wrinkle in Time, The Intelligent Design of Jenny Chow, A Christmas Carol and Tartuffe. Other theatre credits include being a company member of the Guthrie Theater, where he played a variety of roles including Frederick in The Rover, Kapanna in Naga Mandala, Geert in The Good Hope, Medvedenko inThe Seagull, Professor

Bill mentored Saddleback College students at the Kennedy Center American College Festival (KCACTF) in Utah this year.  This was his first introduction to the Festival and he saw the great opportunity for the students to learn, grow and compete on a national level and to gain recognition for Saddleback College.

Bill has taught at CSULB, UCLA Extension, Denison University, Guthrie Theater Education Program and the University of Minnesota MFA acting program. He has also taught CSULB study abroad programs in Ireland and Tanzania. He is a graduate of NYU Tisch School of the Arts and Yale School of Drama.

The Department of Theatre Arts program at Saddleback College produces several fully-staged shows in which students are encouraged to participate.  Theatre Arts students are given the opportunity to audition for every production and Theatre Arts students are given priority in the casting process.  In addition there are numerous opportunities for students to contribute in backstage activities of all college productions.

Located in Mission Viejo, Saddleback College provides quality higher education and training to the greater south Orange County community.  Having served more than 500,000 students since 1968, Saddleback College offers more than 300 degree and certificate programs to help students reach their personal, career, and educational goals.  For more information, please visitwww.saddleback.edu.  For Fine Arts events, visit www.saddleback.edu/arts.