After graduating with a degree in theatre from Cornell College, Pete Guither spent a few years traveling as a lounge musician. He later found himself achieving some success working in management jobs in the private sector and government while spending his weekends volunteering in community theatre.
Appears In
Top of their game: New head coaches Allie Matters, Ryan Pedon aim to elevate Redbirds
FirstWord: Summer 2022
A Day in the Life: Students play vital role in recruiting Redbirds
Pause for applause: Summer 2022
State editor Susan Blystone ready to write next chapter
Freshman gymnast Jaye Mack rises to NCAA tournament
Where are they now? Owen Miller
Redbird legacy: Spring graduation gives family three generations of ISU alumni
Class notes: Summer 2022
In memory: Summer 2022
Then and now: Welcome Week
Thanks to you: Alumni support first-generation students through Dunaway Family Dean’s Scholarship
Practice facility pledge honors administrator
Top accolades for two student-athletes
Redbird trivia: Summer 2022
Closing the gap: ISU-led tutoring program aims to help students impacted by COVID learning disruptions
Three chosen as directors for Alumni Association
Engineering the future: Plans for new college fit ISU’s mission
Women’s teams take Valley championships
Half Century Club reunion plans set
What’s next? Alumna Patti Hart answers how to revel in retirement
Helping humanity goal of alum Dr. Robert Shorty’s corporate work
Amazon Prime Video to feature Illinois State students in The College Tour series
Scholarship memorializes anthropologist and ISU Faculty Emeritus Edward B. Jelks
Ian Freeman named Goldwater Scholar in physics
Illinois State graduate programs advance in U.S. News & World Report rankings
Illinois State awarded $403,900 NSF grant for state-of-the-art electron microscope
Illinois State University announces $4.5 million Faculty Diversity Enhancement Program
College of Business accreditation extended by AACSB
Mark Wyman honored with Illinois State Historical Society Lifetime Achievement Award
New graduate program in English education approved for summer 2022
Grigsby selected as member Of 2022 College Football Hall of Fame Class
“If only I could combine what I love with what I was good at and get paid for it,” Guither thought. This led to moving to New York, getting an MFA in arts management from Brooklyn College, and working on Broadway.
In 1988, Guither came to Illinois State University as general manager of the theatre department’s production program and the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. He taught theatre management and computer courses, did theatre photography, and was occasionally the musical director for mainstage productions.
For 25 years, he was the faculty advisor for Theatre of Ted—a late-night, underground, open-mic-style performance venue with the motto “Dare to Suck” where students could try new artistic ideas without being graded.
“I loved that risk-taking creativity,” Guither said, “and the positive support from their fellow students. It has been incredibly rewarding to see so many of those students go out and make something truly new in films, teaching, art, television, comedy, music, theatre, dance, and other areas.”
The Pete Guither Endowed Theatrical Experimentation Fund will aid future students looking to create new performance approaches.
Guither retired as assistant dean of the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts in 2015. On behalf of the college, he continues to lead theatre trips to New York City, something he has done for more than 20 years. “I love that city and enjoy introducing it to students and community friends.”
In retirement, Guither is busy with theatrical photography along with traveling, playing the piano, biking, cooking, and playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends. He has written a book of stories called Improbable Anecdotes to be published this summer.
He can be reached at guither@gmail.com.
