Author Profile:  George C.  Fosgate

In 1995, George Fosgate — known also as "Doc" — retired after 32 years as a professor of theatre arts at the University of Minnesota, Morris and became a freelance actor, director, commercial talent and "lifestyle" model in the Portland, Oregon area market.  In addition to teaching at UMM, he directed over 70 plays and musicals.  In 2019, the University dedicated the George C.Fosgate Black Box Theatre in his honor.

Born and raised in California, Fosgate got his undergraduate degree at Chico State College, and his PhD in theatre from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City.  It was there that he originally adapted his version of The Reluctant Dragon.

As a member of the Association of Theatre in Higher Education, he served for several years on the Regional and National Playwriting Committees.  He has also held memberships in the Theatre Communications Group, the Portland Area Theatre Alliance, and the Society of American Fight Directors — the latter having nothing to do with Mike Tyson, but everything to do with safe and effective stage violence.

On various leaves and sabbaticals as a college professor, Fosgate worked at the Tyrone Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, the Magic Theatre and One Act Theatre in San Francisco, The Berkeley Jewish Theatre, and Concord Citi Arts. 

He also has the dubious honor of having appeared in the film Howard the Duck.  He has had featured roles in Final Justice (with Annette O'Toole and Michael McKean), Take My Advice (with Wendie Malick), and Raising Flagg (with Alan Arkin, Austin Pendleton, and Richard Kind).  Thousands of Portland theatre-goers saw him perform in Tony n' Tina's Wedding, in which he played (mostly) Father Mark for over a year.

He officially retired from performing and writing in 2016 and currently resides in Henderson, Nevada.  He has two grown children, Laurie and Eric.