Elliot Golan/ The Roundup
The ancient stained walls of Gene Putnam’s office tell of his lengthy tenure at Pierce. Chair of the Theater Arts department, he has been a member of the faculty for more than 20 years.
Rumors of him retiring have surfaced recently. Though Putnam has decided not to retire immediately, he intends to make his decision around “the first of the year.”
“If I stay, it would be for one more year,” said Putnam. He sighted his private life and economics as his reasons for “rethinking it(retirement).”
Putnam speaks of his time at Pierce very fondly.
“We’re not the size of the math or life science(departments),” Putnam says laughing. “We have an emotional relationship with the students,” he continued.
Putnam credits his entire department and students with what he calls “theater magic.”
“As a director, you’re in control of(the) conceptual and rehearsal process. When students(are) on stage, you are not in control,” said Putnam.
A very animated man, Putnam holds a pair of glasses in his hand, constantly flowing as he speaks of his work.
“I was really proud of all the work we did for Jekyll & Hyde,” said Putnam. He then sighted Miss Saigon, which the department performed over summer, as his best work.
“It just keeps getting better and better,” said Putnam. “My luck is going to run out.”
Students have noticed his dedication.
“His car is usually the first their in the morning and sometimes the last to leave,” said Allison Gilvezan, 22-year-old film major and assistant to Valorie Grear, professor of theater arts.
Putnam took over as chair of the department in 1997. Putnam has a Bachelor of Arts degree in history and geography from California State University, Fullerton. He also earned a Masters degree from the school in design and technical direction.
Putnam also sights the new Digital Arts building at Pierce as a reason to stay. Putnam said they are merely in the “vision process.”
RoZsa Horvath, an instructor of theater arts on campus spoke of being said for Putnams departure.
She added that Putnam has made the program “Broadway caliber.”
Michael Gend will be replacing Putnam as chair of the department when he leaves. Currently an adjunct professor on campus, Gend is a former student of Putnam’s.
Though several attempts were made to contact Gend, he was unreachable.
Regardless of his pending retirement from academia, Putnam intends to remain in theater.
“I’m going to do theater. I just don’t know when, where, or how,” said Putnam.
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Pierce College Theatre Department chair Gene Putnam gives instructions during rehearsal of “Private Lives” in the Dow Arena Theatre Sun, March 8, 2009. Photo by Alina Popov (alina popov)