Bob Wagner, director of Theatre at Barton College for the past 13 years, announced on campus last week that he is stepping down at the end of this semester to pursue an equally passionate interest as state director of the North Carolina Motorcycle Safety Education Program.
A longtime motorcycle enthusiast, Wagner has taught motorcycle safety education classes for years through the program he will soon be leading. In this new role that begins July 1, he will oversee 34 teaching sites and two mobile units across North Carolina. The motorcycle safety education program is offered through the North Carolina Community College System.
"We certainly wish Bob much success in his professional endeavors as he makes this career move," said Norval C. Kneten, president of Barton College. "We also recognize, with gratitude, his dedication and hard work in developing Barton's theater major and further enhancing the reputation of Barton's well-established theater performance program.
"The administration will immediately begin an aggressive search process for the new director of Theatre at Barton College," he said. "We are committed to the future of Barton's theatre program as evidenced by the construction of the Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre, and to making this program the finest in the region."
Joining the Barton faculty in 1995, Wagner quickly made his mark on the campus community. During his first year at Barton, he helped establish a new theater major and began to talk about his dream of a theater for this eastern North Carolina campus. While teaching a wide selection of theater courses including acting, directing, theater shop, theater history, world drama, speech, voice and diction, and introduction to theater, Wagner also served as an adviser for the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity from 1996-2003.
He also has served as adviser to the long established Stage and Script organization since his arrival. And, in addition to teaching and advising responsibilities, Wagner has directed a minimum of two theater productions each year and produced an average of four and as many as six shows a year during his tenure. This has included student-directed shows and as well as faculty shows of which he has participated with co-star Elizabeth Winstead.
Wagner is a past chair of the Communication and Performing Arts Department and a past member of the Student Performance Review Committee and the Promotion and Tenure Committee. In 2001, Wagner was named a Jefferson-Pilot Faculty Member of the Year for his commitment to teaching excellence in the classroom and faculty commitment to Barton students' success.
Also active in the Wilson community, Wagner has been very involved in the Wilson's The Playhouse theater program offering his talent as both a director and performer. Most recently, he participated in the local production of "Oliver!" as Bill Sykes. He also has served on the steering committee for Theater of the American South since its inception three years ago.
"I love Barton, and this is one of the hardest decisions I have ever had to make," Wagner said.
"I'm fortunate in that I'm having to make a choice between two things for which I'm equally enthusiastic, but that also has made it exceedingly difficult." he said.
It is bittersweet for Wagner, planning to leave Barton just as construction will begin on the new black box theater.
"I'm confident that Barton's theater program will thrive in the years ahead because of the leadership, dedication and passion from those on campus and in the surrounding community who are committed to this program," Wagner said.
"The new Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell Theatre will take Barton's theater program to new heights; it's going to attract extremely talented people -- especially with Broadway stars Lauren Kennedy and Alan Campbell committing their time to support the theater's educational program through annual visits to teach master classes, to conduct seminars, and to coach theater majors. This is an exciting time for Barton and the theater program.
"I've always tried to teach my students that they should try to make every theater better for their having worked there, and they should always try to leave it better than it was when they first arrived," Wagner said. "I honestly believe that I've accomplished that here at Barton, and I believe that the people who follow me will take Barton to the next level. This program is poised to do amazing work. I feel privileged to be a part of its history."
Even in his new role, it's still about students and education.
"The motorcycle safety education program saves lives," he said. "The skills learned in these classes will help people to ride motorcycles safely, and if I can help make an enjoyable experience for others also about safety on the road, then that will be a worthwhile profession for me."