Centre College Faculty

Anthony R. Haigh

Professor of Dramatic Arts
Chair of Dramatic Arts Program

Telephone: 859-238-5428
E-mail: anthony.haigh@centre.edu
Office: Grant Hall—309


Anthony Haigh is professor of dramatic arts and former Chair of the Division of Arts and Humanities at Centre College, where he has taught since 1991. Haigh remains active as a professional actor, director, and playwright. A native of England, Haigh earned a diploma from the Rose Bruford College in London, and an M.A. in theater from Lancaster University. After moving to the United States, he earned a Ph.D. in theater from Michigan State University.

Haigh is an energetic teacher and director who has guided Centre students and productions to several honors. Student productions have consistently won recognition in the regional and state competitions of the American College Theater Festival, and a number of individual actors have been nominated for the prestigious Irene Ryan Award.

Haigh is a past-president of the South Eastern Theatre Conference-the largest theatre organization in America. He is also active with Actor's Guild of Lexington and is Director of Programming for “Kentucky Stage” - a new professional summer theatre based at Centre College. Recently Haigh returned to his acting roots playing Andre in Athol Fugard's new play Exits and Entrances. He has also recently appeared at Actor's Theatre in Louisville and performed in the Christmas musical at Dollywood. His appearance in Michael Jonathan's Walden was recently seen on PBS stations nationwide as part of Earth Day 2009. Haigh was Artistic Director of “Shakespeare at Equus Run” - Kentucky's newest outdoor Shakespeare festival which was located at Equus Run Vineyards, just outside Midway, Kentucky. Following a hiatus resulting from his commitment with Centre's overseas programs Haigh plans to return to producing and directing quality outdoor Shakespeare in Central Kentucky.

In 1997, Haigh was chosen by the Kentucky Humanities Council as the first recipient of the Vic Hellard Memorial Award. He developed a one-person play on the life of Samuel Drake, an Englishman who established the nation's first permanent professional theatre west of the Alleghenies. His other research interests include writing on contemporary British theatre. Among Haigh's most recent published work is an essay on Brian Friel for the Encyclopedia of British Humorists. His forthcoming chapter in British Humor: Chaucer to Python is entitled “The British Pantomime Tradition” is awaiting publication. He has recently finished a full length play based on religious and military conflict during the English Civil War called the Shinning Men and is currently working on a new play about families dealing with elderly parents.

During 1995-96 Haigh was director of Centre-in-London, and is named as co-director for Centre's upcoming 2010 London program. He regularly takes groups of Centre students on theatre study tours of England. He also maintains an ongoing relationship with the Rose Bruford College - one of England's leading drama schools. He has built a student exchange program between Centre and RBC and has taught in their master's program as well as directing plays there.

Prior to joining the Centre faculty, Haigh taught at Madeley College in England, Michigan State University, Ferris State University, and at Fort Lewis College.

To read Haigh's director's notes on Anton in Show Business, click here.

File last updated: 9/21/12