Tom Rahner

Professor Emeritus, Flagler College, founder and chairman of the Theatre Dept. for 31 years. Director, designer, author, actor and technician for 60 years. 35 years teaching experience. U.S. Army veteran. Native of St. Augustine. (Note: My parents and older brother were noted photographers and won many state and national awards. My father was one of the co-founders of the St. Augustine Art Assn. and from 1948 through 1952 road manager for my one-man marionette show. He assisted in construction of the marionettes and my mother made the costumes. I learned much from their artistic talents and their mentoring was a tremendous influence on my life and subsequent career. The constant stream of artists who visited our home exposed me, from an early age, to a wide variety of creativity.)

EXPERIENCE Chairman, Theatre Department, Flagler College, St. Augustine, FL 1968-1999 — Established Theatre Curriculum, taught classes and directed and designed numerous stage productions. As an original faculty member, served on many committees and participated in the accreditation process 3 times. Assisted in forming the Communications Department. Designed Government House Theatre and consulted on the design of the Flagler College Auditorium. Resident Designer, Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine, FL 1992- 2004 Designed and executed stage scenery for 5-6 productions per season. Acted occasionally.Author/Director, Flagler, Empire Builder of Florida, Limelight Theatre, St. Augustine, FL 1996 A new musical presented in the Flagler College Auditorium in the summer of 1996 Author /Performer, A Classic Theatre, Inc. and independently, various locales, 1987 - present Perform Henry Flagler Remembers, a one-man show based on the life of Henry Morrison Flagler. Appearances have been made all over Florida and as far north as Louisville, KY Director, Young Washington, Fayette Heritage, Inc., Farmington, PA, 1980Premiere season of outdoor historical drama based on early career of George Washington.Director, Cross and Sword, Florida’s Cross and Sword, Inc., St.Augustine, FL 1968-1976, 1978-79Historical outdoor drama depicting the founding and early years of St. Augustine. Florida’s Official State Play.General Manager, St. Augustine’s 400th Anniversary, Inc., St. Augustine, FL 1963-1968 Managed the daily business of the 400th Anniversary corporation and planned and executed events for the anniversary celebration in 1965. Consulted on the design of the St. Augustine Amphitheatre, worked closely with Cross and Sword author, Paul Green and managed and performed in the drama from 1968-1974.

Teacher, St. Johns County School Board, St. Augustine, FL 1960-1963 Taught 5th grade at Evelyn Hamblen School for 1 year and English and General Science at St. Augustine High School for 2 years. Specialist 4, U.S. Army, Kaiserslautern, Germany, 1958-1960 Assisted Training NCO in troop education, substituted as Company Clerk and served as Company Mailman. Actor, Unto These Hills, Cherokee Historical Society, Cherokee, NC, 1956-1957-1960 Performed two roles in outdoor historical drama.Actor/Designer, The Florida Players, Nashua, NH, 1955 Designed and built scenery and performed in summer theatre.—

EDUCATION University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, BAE, 1957

SKILLSIn addition to theatrical pursuits, writing and public speaking, many hours are spent in wood working, wood carving, model making and restoration projects.