After 37 Years, Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob Retires

Jacob's tenure spans hundreds of shows and thousands of students.

By Rachael Rosenberg

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob earlier in his career. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May)

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob earlier in his career. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May)

After a whopping 37 years of service to the School, beloved Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob has announced his retirement, currently completing his final year at the School.

Jacob, who directs the Upper School Play and Musical yearly, started and currently runs the Creative Arts Diploma Program, and teaches theater electives every semester, is known by teachers and students as the heart and soul of the Creative Arts Department.

Over the past 39 years, Jacob has built the department from having almost no infrastructure to employing a full production team in a state-of-the-art theater.

“When I came [here]...there was not much infrastructure,” Jacob said. “We had no theater; we didn’t have half the staff we currently have or half the offerings. And I’m very pleased at how much has been built, and about the quality of productions and the quality of work.”

Jacob strongly believes in the capabilities of his staff.

In the early 2000s, history teacher Ted Barker-Hook poses with then-Upper School Head Carolyn Mckee and Creative Arts Chair Bill Jacob. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May)

In the early 2000s, history teacher Ted Barker-Hook poses with then-Upper School Head Carolyn Mckee and Creative Arts Chair Bill Jacob. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May)

In the early 1990s when Bill Jacob also taught Spanish in the Lower School. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May)

In the early 1990s when Bill Jacob also taught Spanish in the Lower School. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May)

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob with his daughter, Chelsea Jacob '05. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May School)

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob with his daughter, Chelsea Jacob '05. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May School)

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob rocking out at an end-of-year faculty gathering. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May)

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob rocking out at an end-of-year faculty gathering. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May)

“I always made it a practice to hire people who are smarter than me,” Jacob said. “[The staff] really brings a level of expertise and exceptionalism."

Among this staff is Middle and Upper School Music Teacher Max Holman, who has worked with Jacob for six years.

“It’s been a joy working with Mr. J,” Holman said. “It’s been great to work as partners and become friends. I’m really happy for him that he gets to enjoy his next journey.”

Philosophically, Jacob prioritizes the art of acting, and his belief in students' potential is evident in all that he does.

“I’ve learned to express myself through acting, delving deeper on different emotions and what your character means to you,” Alice Shimomura ’27 said.

In the early 2000s, history teacher Ted Barker-Hook poses with then-Upper School Head Carolyn Mckee and Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May)

In the early 2000s, history teacher Ted Barker-Hook poses with then-Upper School Head Carolyn Mckee and Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May)

In the early 1990s when Bill Jacob also taught Spanish in the Lower School. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May)

In the early 1990s when Bill Jacob also taught Spanish in the Lower School. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May)

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob with his daughter, Chelsea Jacob '05. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May School)

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob with his daughter, Chelsea Jacob '05. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May School)

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob rocking out at an end-of-year faculty gathering. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May)

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob rocking out at an end-of-year faculty gathering. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May)

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob speaks with GNN in 2023 about what it takes to make a great set.

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob speaks with GNN in 2023 about what it takes to make a great set.

“What always stood out about Mr. J was how much he cared and how high of a standard he held everyone to,” Jack Donnelly '18 said, who worked with Jacob through the theater department. “He never sugarcoated things and always pushed people to be their best, but it came from a place of genuinely wanting students to grow and succeed.”

“Mr. J taught me to be curious,” Shane Sager ’12 said. “He taught me that talent only gets you partway. What really matters is discipline, consistency, and passion in the face of life’s adversity.

Sager explains Mr. J’s philosophy of leading with kindness.

BilL Jacob receives a toast in celebration of his final outing as the annual auction's auctioneer. (Photo by David Barron)

BilL Jacob receives a toast in celebration of his final outing as the annual auction's auctioneer. (Photo by David Barron)

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob working with Lower School students in the early 2000s. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May School)

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob working with Lower School students in the early 2000s. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May School)

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob working on a set in the gym in the early 1990s, before the construction of the theater. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May)

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob working on a set in the gym in the early 1990s, before the construction of the theater. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May)

BilL Jacob receives a toast in celebration of his final outing as the annual auction's auctioneer. (Photo by David Barron)

BilL Jacob receives a toast in celebration of his final outing as the annual auction's auctioneer. (Photo by David Barron)

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob working with Lower School students in the early 2000s. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May School)

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob working with Lower School students in the early 2000s. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May School)

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob working on a set in the gym in the early 1990s, before the construction of the theater. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May)

Creative Arts Department Chair Bill Jacob working on a set in the gym in the early 1990s, before the construction of the theater. (Photo courtesy of Brimmer and May)

“His legacy is not only one of incredible productions, laughs, and set pieces: it’s his ability to care, to love, and to, no matter what, always be there when you need him. He is a friend first, and everything else second,” Sager said.

In his retirement, Jacob most looks forward to spending Septembers on Cape Cod. He hopes to leave behind a willingness to take risks in the Creative Arts Department, which he had aimed to foster throughout his tenure.

"As a fifth-grader, I learned from Mr. Jacob to take risks, to go big, and to be unafraid—no small feats given my small stature compared to my classmates, most of whom towered above me," Upper School History teacher David Cutler '02 said.

“I think that the best theater involves a great deal of risk, and we’ve been fortunate that the school has tolerated my constant pushing,” Jacob said.

“As a kid, I was privileged to know you as Mr. J,” Sager said. “As a man, it is my consistent and endless honor to know you as Bill.”

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