Craig R. Noel

Old Globe Founding Director

San Diego State University

During his distinguished 67-year career with The Old Globe, Craig R. Noel has staged more than 225 productions of all styles and periods. Known as the founding director of The Old Globe, Mr. Noel has been associated with the theatre since its inception in 1937, and has guided the organization through its metamorphosis from a community theatre of the highest standards to one of the nation's most successful not-for-profit theatres. His most recent world-premiere productions include Lillian Garrett-Groag's The White Rose and Reuben Gonzalez's The Boiler Room. He also directed the American premiere of Alan Ayckbourn's Mr. A's Amazing Maze Plays and Intimate Exchanges. Some of his other directorial assignments include Wonderful Tennessee, Shirley Valentine, Travels with My Aunt andScotland Road.

Mr. Noel's innovative creations include the Globe Educational Tours and the Play Discovery Program, which began in 1974. And, in association with San Diego State University, he established the world renowned Shakespeare Festival at the Globe in 1949. To fulfill his long-held dream of a theatre that would extend across the border to enrich artists and audiences of Southern California's two neighboring cultures, he instituted the Globe's award-winning, bilingual in-schools theatre program, Teatro Meta, in 1983.

Among his numerous honors are The San Diego Union-Tribune list of 25 persons who shaped the city's history; the Governor's Award for the Arts; San Diego State University Outstanding Alumnus; University of Arizona Alumni Association's Outstanding Citizen; Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters, University of San Diego; San Diego's Living Treasure Award; Conservator of American Arts Award from American Conservatory Theatre; the San Diego Press Club Headliner Award; the San Diego Gentleman of Distinction Award; and a combined tribute from the Public Arts Advisory Council and the San Diego County Board of Supervisors.

In recognition of his lifelong commitment to excellence in the arts, the Board of Trustees of the California State University and San Diego State University are proud to confer upon Craig R. Noel the honorary degree of Doctor of Fine Arts.