John Jones

John is proud to be a member of the adjunct faculty at Chapman University.  Prior to teaching he enjoyed a career in the professional entertainment industry.  He has appeared on stage at the Ahmanson Theatre, the Westwood Playhouse (now the Geffen Playhouse) and the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.  For Shakespeare Orange County, he portrayed George Bernard Shaw opposite his wife in real life, the actress Laurel Kelsh Jones, who played Mrs. Patrick Campbell, in the two-character letter exchange play Dear Liar.  The Los Angeles Times awarded them Critics' Pick.  In the summer of 2005 his production of The Merry Wives of Windsor for Santa Barbara Shakespeare garnered a year-end award from the local newspaper.  In 2006 he appeared as Sir Toby Belch in Twelfth Night and in 2007 as Baptista in Taming of the Shrew for Shakespeare Orange County.

John has appeared in the film Deadpool and in independent films including Mothman and Board and Care.  For television, he has been seen on Babylon 5, Dead at 21, Beauty and the Beast, LA Law, and many others.  For several years he also was a resident judge on General Hospital.  Currently, John maintains a professional career as a voiceover announcer for various projects.

John has appeared on the American stage in states from Alaska to Alabama, from Maine to California, in over twenty different venues.  He recieved a Dramalogue Award for his portrayal of Malvolio in Twelfth Night.  John has a long association with Shakespeare productions:  he has appeared in over twenty and directed more than a dozen.  Several years ago, John and Laurel developed a one-day Shakespeare retreat for the beautiful Helena Modjeska home here in Orange County.  John's published writings have appeared in newspapers and the peer review journal On-Stage Studies.

John has also taught at the University of Southern California, Irvine Valley College, Alabama Shakespeare Festival, South Coast Repertory, Cypress College, Long Beach City College, and Mankato University in Minnesota.  While at Irvine Valley College, John directed over seventeen productions and taught classes in voice and diction, acting, dramatic literature, and theater and fine arts appreciation.  He is also a private instuctor in Shakespearian acting.