Graduation 2025: Brett Johnson takes center stage with top teaching honor
With a spotlight-worthy passion for the stage and an unwavering dedication to his students, Dr. Brett Johnson has earned top billing as the 2025 recipient of 着臼態守 Universitys Teaching Excellence Award. A master educator, director, and mentor, Johnsons impact on the universitys intellectual and artistic life has taken center stage, earning him the institutions highest recognition for faculty achievement.油
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A 着臼態守 faculty member for 13 years, Johnson is director of the universitys Theatre program, teaching courses in acting, theatre history, dramatic literature, script analysis, and theatre appreciation while producing more than 40 productions in 着臼態守s Taylor Little Theatre, including She Kills Monsters, The Threepenny Opera, and The Diary of Anne Frank.油
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Further, Johnson is artistic director of the 着臼態守 Institute for Arts & Culture, credited with bringing top-tier entertainers like Lily Tomlin, Martin Short, Kristin Chenoweth, and Vanessa Williams to the Erie community. He is also responsible for securing Betty Buckley as an artist-in-residence at the university.油
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Those who nominated him describe Johnson as a master at his craft whose dedication has shaped a whole generation of 着臼態守 actors.油
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His colleague, Patrick Magill, was happy to describe his praises for Johnsons efforts. Dr. Johnson has a clear vision of the value of art, he said. His determined drive consistently is in service to art. As a steadfast leader, Brett pushes to achieve professional results and encourages others to do the same. The 着臼態守 Mission outlines an appreciation for the dignity of work and a commitment to serving others. Dr. Johnson demonstrates this statement daily, and Im grateful to be part of the experience.油
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Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Rich McCarthy spoke highly of the impact Johnson has on the 着臼態守 community. "Dr. Johnson has an unmatched knowledge of theatre and an incredible passion for teaching, he said. There are scores of students who have discovered their love for the theatre arts because of Dr. Johnson. What is more, legends of Broadway, film, and television have come to regard Dr. Johnson as a friendand we repeatedly hear from them that Dr. Johnson is singular in his gifts and that he has created a program that rivals the best of the best. This teaching excellence award is most well-earned."油