Herschel Kruger

Professor Herschel Kruger joined the Carthage faculty in 2005. During the 2008-09 school year, Prof. Kruger established the New Play Initiative, commissioning original works each year for the Carthage Theatre Program. Prof. Kruger has directed four of the new plays from this series including, “Up and Away,” written by Eric Simonson (KCACTF Citizen Artist Award, Distinguished Costume Design, and eight commendations for Distinguished Achievement, 2019 Edinburgh Festival Fringe participant); “No Name,” written by Jeffrey Hatcher (2014 Edinburgh Festival Fringe participant); “Ghost Bike,” written by Laura Jacqmin (2013, five KCACTF national awards including; Distinguished New Play, Directing, Lighting Design, Sound Design, and Outstanding Scenic Design); and “Honest,” written by Eric Simonson (2010, winner of four KCACTF national awards including Distinguished Curricular Development, Playwriting, and two Distinguished Performance awards).

Additionally, Prof. Herschel directed the staged reading of Mikaley Osley’s one-act play “Matilda’s Character,” which was named a KCACTF Region 3 winner. In January 2024, Prof. Kruger was honored with the KCACTF Gold Medallion. The medallion honors individuals or organizations that have made extraordinary contributions to the teaching and producing of theatre and who have significantly dedicated their time, artistry, and enthusiasm to the development of the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.

Prof. Kruger has directed more than 30 productions at Carthage and teaches both acting and directing classes, and a variety of other theatre classes. He has led 10 separate J-Term study tours to Greece, New York City (six), Scotland (two), and Germany to study theatre. He has worked as an actor and director in New York, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Prof. Kruger earned his MFA in acting from the University of Illinois, is a graduate of the National Shakespeare Conservatory Professional Actors Training program in New York City, and holds a BA in Theatre Communication from Cardinal Stritch University.

• M.F.A. — Acting, University of Illinois
• B.A. — Theatre Communications, Cardinal Stritch University

• THR 1110 Introduction to Acting
• THR 200T Topics: Acting and Directing One-Act Plays
• THR 3110 Acting II: Character and Scene Study
• THR 4550 Directing
• THR 4990 Senior Thesis Completion