Corona del Mar, California
Ellis Jordan was recognized as a leader in theatre education throughout the state of California. He taught theatre for twenty-six years in the Rowland Unified School District in Rowland Heights, California, and was a consultant to the theatre arts program at Laguna Beach High School.
He helped to design a performing arts program at Nogales High School that combined music, drama, and dance in one course of study. He developed a nationally recognized theatre program at Rowland High School. And he designed a workshop to teach production methods to K-12 teachers. For his efforts as a theatre arts teacher Mr. Jordan received several commendations from his district’s Board of Education—including having the Rowland High School’s theatre renamed in his honor—and he received special recognition from the California state legislature.
Mr. Jordan chartered Thespian troupes at Nogales High School, Laguna Beach High School, and Rowland High School. His Rowland troupe appeared on the main stage of the 1988 Thespian Festival with The Canterbury Tales.
Mr. Jordan served as California’s state Thespian director from 1981 through 1986, and as territorial director. During his term as state director, he revitalized the state’s Thespian organization, building a strong state board and winning awards for outstanding state conference and for outstanding state Thespian newsletter.
