John Graham

Associate Professor Emeritus of Theatre

John Graham was originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, where he worked as an actor and director for 10 years before leaving to travel, act, and teach.

John worked as an actor, a director, and a vocal coach across the US, Canada, Asia, and Europe. Credits include work with the Tony-Award Winning Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, La MaMa Umbria, the Cincinnati Opera, San Francisco Stage Company, the Michael Chekhov Association, Plan-B Theatre in Salt Lake City, and Stage West Theatre in Des Moines.

Before coming to Drake, John taught at Utah Valley University, The University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, and The University of Wisconsin-Madison.

An active member and officer for the Voice and Speech Trainer’s Association, John was also an Associate Editor for the International Dialects of English Archives.

John received his BFA in Dramatic Performance from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, and his MFA in Acting from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

John passed away on April 3, 2023 surrounded by his family at his home in Des Moines. He is remembered by his students and colleagues as an integral part of Drake University’s Department of Theatre Arts. His love for education, the arts, literature, and collaboration made him an organic, fiercely passionate and highly creative professor and artist.