Earning his Ph.D. from the Department of Theatre & Dance at U.C. Santa Barbara, Ron focused on Social Theatre in Taiwan. While completing his doctorate Ron spent 3 years studying Mandarin Chinese and designing with theatre and dance companies in Taiwan and China; he has also published several articles and a script translation on Taiwanese Theatre. Ron also holds an M.F.A. degree from Humboldt State University in Scenic & Lighting Design and has over 20 years of production and design experience with such companies as Dance Theatre of Ireland, NOW Dance Company of Korea, Santa Barbara Dance Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, Assignment Theatre of Taiwan, ShowMotion, San Diego Repertory Theatre, Sioux Falls Playhouse, and River Stage. Lately Ron has designed lighting, scenery, and video imagery for Dance Theatre of Ireland and Santa Barbara Dance Theatre and currently tours in Korea, China, Ireland and Wales. A former U.S. Marine Corps photojournalist, Ron is also the Program Director of General Education in Ventura where he teaches Humanities and Art History courses for BA and MFA students as well as administering Brooks’ online education program. In his spare time Ron enjoys spending time with his lovely wife Natsuki at their home on the Mesa.