WIT Red Carpet - 2008 Awardees

GAI JONES began theater with private elocution lessons in Chickasha, Oklahoma. After college and an MA from CSUF, she taught Theatre at El Dorado H. S. for thirty-four years. Upon retirement, the Black Box Theater was named The Gai Jones Theater.

She is included in THE WORLD’S WHO’S WHO OF WOMEN; SECONDARY EDUCATORS OF AMERICA; CAAE LEADERS IN THEATRE EDUCATION. She has been honored by Outstanding Arts Educator for Orange County; CETA as Outstanding Educator; CA State Thespians; Educational Theatre Association, and AATE.

Mrs. Jones lives with husband Dr. Wendell Jones, Ojai, supports her daughters Marcie Jones, elementary administrator, south central LA; Karyn Carney, educator, and son-in-law Major Michael Carney, who is home from serving in Iraq, and grandson Laith.

She is Founder of CA Youth in Theatre; Theatre education consultant; Trustee of CA State Thespian Board, DTASC, and CETA; Judge Coordinator for theatre festivals, LA area; Emerging Commercial and Voice Over actress; Actress, Rubicon Theatre; Director/Teacher, Theater 150, Ojai; Creator of Sage to Stage; Director, Ojai Art Center Theater; Teacher, Camp Bravo; Associate Professor CSU, East Bay; Teacher, Donna Reed Festival, Dennison, Iowa; Performer, Ventura Senior Readers Theatre; Founder the Gai Jones scholarship at El Dorado H.S. and the S*T*A*R scholarship.

She teaches ensemble building workshops for teachers, corporations, and students nationwide. Her Theatre resource book, entitled RAISING THE CURTAIN is published by Perfection Learning. She also has a newly self-published book entitled BREAK A LEG, Tips and Truisms for Theatre Teachers. www.gaijones.com.