Gault, Lynn (Robert Lynn), -1998

Lynn Gault (d. 1998), a native of Ohio, was technical director for Carolina Playmakers, 1946-1951, and for outdoor historical dramas; theater instructor at the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, the University of Virginia, and Hiram College; and potter in Brasstown, N.C.

From the description of Lynn Gault papers, 1937-1998 [manuscript]. WorldCat record id: 42698612

A native of Ohio, Lynn Gault was educated at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, Youngstown College, Hiram College, and the University of North Carolina. He received his A.B. degree from Hiram College in 1937 and his M.A. in dramatic art from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill in 1939.

After receiving his master's degree, Gault taught briefly at the University of Virginia and at Hiram College. During World War II, he served in the Signal Corps of the United States Army and then in Anti-Aircraft, in which branch he saw action in the Pacific. He was released with the rank of captain in 1945.

In 1946, Gault joined the staff of the Carolina Playmakers as scene designer and technical director. For the next five years, Gault designed and constructed stage settings, directed and acted in Playmakers productions, and taught in the University of North Carolina's Department of Dramatic Art.

During the summers, Gault worked with several outdoor historical dramas as scene designer, choreographer, and actor. He started as technical assistant for The Lost Colony production in 1938, was made technical director in 1947, and was responsible for rebuilding all scenery and properties after the fire that season. In 1950, he was the original stage designer for Unto These Hills, an outdoor drama in Cherokee, N.C.

During a summer when Gault was working on Unto These Hills, he became intensely interested in ceramics and, after a period of study and experimentation, decided to devote himself full time to pottery. In 1952, he moved permanently to Brasstown, N.C., where he bought an old farm house on Birdfoot Ridge and started a pottery.

In Brasstown, Gault taught pottery classes at the John C. Campbell Folk School, served on the school's board of directors, and was one of the early members of the Southern Highland Handicraft Guild. He was also a founding member of the Brasstown Concert Association, and, in 1974, he helped to originate the Brasstown Community Theatre. Gault read The Christmas Carol in a special Folk School performance every year from 1952 through 1980.

Gault's wife Lucille died in 1981. Gault died on 30 March 1998 at his home in Brasstown.

From the guide to the Lynn Gault Papers (#4987), 1937-1998, (Southern Historical Collection)