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“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.
