# J. Peter Shaw

Theatre · Inducted 2019 · Evansville High School Fine Arts Hall of Fame

Source: https://evansvillefineartshof.org/inductees/j-peter-shaw

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## College and Professional Achievements

- UW–Eau Claire graduate; began teaching at Evansville in 1961 and introduced a mandatory speech class for all high school students, developed two new courses: Drama and Advanced Drama, obtained a Masters in School Counseling at UW–Whitewater, became guidance counselor, then Director of Student Services/Special Education; he remained with the school district until 1991
- Coached forensics, established the debate team, directed one-act plays for state competition, directed the first-ever musical in 1980 and then over the next 10 years
- 1991–2005 served as Executive Director of the Wisconsin High School Forensic Association and was responsible for Theater, Debate and Forensics programming across the state, was instrumental in establishing the State Theater Festival, and coordinated the State Debate Tournament and the State Speech/Forensics Contest

## After High School

- Appeared in over 75 theater productions with 20 different companies across Wisconsin and Norway, performed in six radio plays, four movies, two television commercials, and one instructional DVD
- Ushered at the Overture Center, evaluated high school musicals for the Overture Jerry Awards, evaluated drama and forensic contests state wide, and served with the Standardized Patient Program at UW–Med School