Hickok John
Adjunct Instructor of Theatre Arts
[Performance Techniques, Director of “Dancing at Lughnasa”]
John directed the acclaimed world premiere of DMW Greer’s BURNING BLUE at the Theatre Royal Haymarket on London’s West End (2 Olivier nominations), as well productions in LA, San Francisco, and NYC.
He’s directed straight plays, musicals & classics all over the country, most notably the off-B’way premiere of EYE OF THE BEHOLDER starring Kim Hunter, and BUS STOP (“10 Best Plays of 1980” Boston Phoenix). He was a member of the WRITERS THEATRE in NYC working on new play development, the director’s group at The Director’s Company, a curator at The New York Theatre Workshop, participated in the Hal Prince Musical Theatre Workshop as a director for three years, as well as dramaturging/directing numerous new plays and musical readings.
As an actor, John goes back and forth between Shakespeare and musicals. On Broadway, he created the roles of Governor Slaton in PARADE, Zoser in Elton John’s AIDA, and Professor Bhaer in LITTLE WOMEN, and can be heard on all three cast albums. Also on B’way: MAN & BOY (opposite Frank Langella), OUR COUNTRY’S GOOD, and Rupert Holmes’ ACCOMPLICE.
He recently played Buckingham in RICHARD III at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey, where he’s also played Polonius / HAMLET, Lord Gloucester / HENRY VI, Don Pedro / MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, Helicanus in PERICLES, Chrysale and Vadius / THE LEARNED LADIES, Peter Quince / MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM (he’s directed it and played Lysander twice) and directed ROMEO & JULIET.
Favorite roles – John Adams / 1776 (ACT), Andrew Aguecheek / TWELFTH NIGHT (Boston Shakes), Pilate / JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (North Shore), Beauregard opposite Michelle Lee / MAME (PCLO), Dillard opposite James Whitmore / FOXFIRE (George Street), Kaffee / A FEW GOOD MEN (Westport Country Playhouse), and Lord Edgar / Jane in THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP (Theatre by the Sea).
As an educator, he taught Shakespeare and acting for three years at Bard College and directed HOT L BALTIMORE. At Central Connecticut State University he directed RENT, URINETOWN, and SPRING AWAKENING. At WCSU, where’s he’s currently teaching acting, he’s directed YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, and A CHRISTMAS CAROL. He also teaches Shakespeare & directing at Queens College, where he’s directed.
