Dr. Eugene Muto, professor of theatre, is a man who can at times be very fun, and as his work requires, a great deal of seriousness. From his office on the third floor of the Center for Communication Studies and Theater, he maintains a warm and giving atmosphere. However, at the same time, guests there are conscious of how important he is.
Born in Rochester, New York, Muto earned his Bachelor of Arts at the State University of New York, Brockport; his Master of Fine Arts at University of Connecticut; and lastly his Doctor of Arts at New York University. Sometime during the period of his matriculation, but 10 years before he began to teach, Muto "lived, studied and worked in New York City."
Following this period, he was a professor of theatre at Augusta State University in Georgia and began to teach at Longwood University in 1998. Muto said the transition to Longwood " was a very good job opportunity" and that it "was time for me to move from my previous position . take another position and I did."
Muto's stay of 12 years here at Longwood has been dedicated to getting to know his students on a personal basis. Muto said, "I try to create a very friendly and personal relationship so that I know all my students really well. And we're all on a first name basis. Everybody is equal accept for me . I'm a little more equal. And I have students do a lot of hard work. They know it. However, in the end, I think they appreciate it. [This consists of a] lot of difficult reading, writing, and so forth." Muto's influences in forming his approach to students and his work in the theatre department have likewise been "previous teachers . teachers in college, even in high school ." However; Muto remarked that his former instructors are "all dead now."
Muto discussed his thoughts on future changes at Longwood's theatre department. "I think we need some quality managed growth in our program. We are, by any theatrical tradition [reinventing] ourselves every couple years to try and make sure that we stay abreast of what's going on in the world, in the newest trends in theatre, in what audiences and students would like to do and what they like to see."
Muto remarked he was "very happy to be here."
In charge of directing and history for the theatre department, Muto's special brand of discipline, not without its form of love, can be seen in several related ways. Of these, the first are his playful but, nonetheless, pointed jabs to push rehearsing students in the right direction. Second is the reported rigor with which he requires his students to attend and do work on all levels. The third would be his prompt, understanding, but no-nonsense way of receiving any requests and assisting those who need it.
This sort of hard-and-soft method sets Muto apart for his students and from other teachers in his department and in the school. It appears to add a more balanced experience to his students' academics, allowing for growth or the decision to grow in a different direction.
