John Ransford Watts

Background

Watts, John Ransford was born on February 9, 1930 in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. Son of Henry Fowler Ransford and Mary Marion (Macdonald) Watts.

Education

AB, Boston College, 1950. Master of Education, Boston College, 1965. Master of Fine Arts, Yale University, 1953.

Doctor of Philosophy, Union Graduate School, 1978.

Career

Professor, assistant dean Boston University, 1958-1974. Professor, dean fine arts California State University, Long Beach, 1974-1979. Dean and artistic director The Theatre School/Goodman School Drama, DePaul University, Chicago, 1979-1999, professor and dean emeritus, since 1999.

Managing director DePaul University Merle Reskin Theatre, 1988-1999. General manager Boston Arts Festivals, 1955-1964. Administrator Arts Programs at Tanglewood, 1966-1969.

Producing director Theatre Company of Boston, 1973-1975.

Achievements

• John Ransford Watts has been listed as a noteworthy university administrator by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Chairman Massachusetts Council on Arts and Humanities, 1968-1972. Board directors, vice president Long Beach Public Cofp. for the Arts, 1975-1979. Member theatre panel Illinois Arts Council, 1981-1990.

With United States Army, 1953-1955. Member Massachusetts Educational Communications Commission, American Theatre Asasn., National Council on Arts in Education, Metropolitan Cultural Alliance, United States Institute Theatre Technology, League Chicago Theatres, Chicago International Theatre Festival, St. Botolph Club (Boston), University Club (Chicago), Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi.

Connections

Married Joyce Lannon, December 20, 1975. 1 child, David Allister.

Father:

Henry Fowler Ransford Watts

Mother:

Mary Marion (Macdonald) Watts

Spouse:

Joyce Lannom

child:

David Allister Watts