Geoff Gibbs

Geoff Gibbs
AM
Born
Geoffrey George Gibbs

(1940-11-25)25 November 1940
Kalgoorlie, Western Australia
Died17 August 2006(2006-08-17) (aged 65)
Perth, Western Australia
NationalityAustralian
OccupationActor
Known forPrincipal of Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts

Geoffrey George Gibbs AM (25 November 1940 – 17 August 2006) was an Australian actor and acting teacher.

Biography

Gibbs was born in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, in 1940, and was educated at Aquinas College, Perth. He studied for bachelor's and master's degrees in arts at the University of Western Australia, and later a PhD from Ohio State University in the United States.[1]

Gibbs was founding dean of dramatic arts at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) from 1979 to 1988, and trained several of Australia's best-known actors, including Hugh Jackman, Frances O'Connor, Lisa McCune and William McInnes.[2] In 1988, he was made chairman of the International Foundation for Arts and Culture, a non-profit organisation formed to promote the creation of new work and cultural and artistic residencies.[3]

Honours

Gibbs was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in the 2002 Queen's Birthday Honours, for service to the performing arts through the establishment, development and promotion of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, and through professional associations.[4]

In October 2007, the Academy Theatre at WAAPA was renamed the Geoff Gibbs Theatre in his honour. The ceremony at which the theatre was renamed was officiated by star graduate Hugh Jackman.[5]

References

  1. ^ Who's Who in Australia, Volume 35; Herald and Weekly Times, 2002.
  2. ^ Hussain, Benazir. "Episode 8: WAAPA Teacher". Dimensions with George Negus. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 22 April 2013.
  3. ^ Maufort, Marc (2007). Performing Aotearoa: New Zealand Theatre and Drama in an Age of Transition. Peter Lang. ISBN 978-9052013596.
  4. ^ GIBBS, Geoffrey George, It's an Honour, 10 June 2002.
  5. ^ Geoff Gibbs Theatre, Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.