Lonny Joseph Gordon who is a professor at the Illinois State University – College of Fine Arts was able to cultivate an international career as a theater design innovator, development spokesman for the arts and solo performer in major concert halls and museums from 1968 till the present. Lonny Joseph Gordon has definitely shown his prowess in the arts with his numerous works, awards and professional experiences. When it comes to Lonny Joseph Gordon’s professional training in the performing arts, these would include the 1975 Ridiculous Theatre Company in New York; 1974 Free Street Theatre in Chicago, 1973 – 1974 Ruth Page Chicago Ballet in Chicago and the 1970 – 1971 Murray Louis – Alwin Nikolais Dance Theatre Lab in New York.

Other professional trainings of Lonny Joseph Gordon in the performing arts includes the 1967 – 1969 Nishikawa School of Classical Japanese Dance in Tokyo with Ritifu Nishikawa and Kocho Nishikawa;  1979 – 1980 with Koisaburo Nishikawa, 1967 – 1969 at the Grand Kabuki Theater in Tokyo with Kanzaburo Nakamura XVII, 1967 International Theater Institute in New York, the 1966 and 1975 Eric Hawkins Studio in New York, 1965 Hanya Holm Studio in New York, the 1964 and 1970 The Actors Studio in New York and the 1963 and 1964 The Martha Graham School of Dance in New York.

Lonny Gordon is currently a professor at the Illinois State University – College of Fine Arts. As a journalist in 1968, Lonny Gordon held the position of cultural reviewer for the Asahi Evening News of Japan and was a journalist for the Korea Times in 1983. His articles were published by the likes of the Japan Quarterly, the Japan Culture Institute, the Okura Lantern, Dance Scope, Choom of Korea, and Performing Arts Journal. In addition, Lonny Gordon was a cultural writer for the Capital Times in Wisconsin, an editor for Japanese cultural and fine arts translations for Encyclopedia Britannica, and a reader for William C. Brown Company. To add to his accomplishments, Lonny was invited and wrote the Ruth Page centennial celebration monograph, “1899 – 1999, A Life of Firsts” in 1999.

Aside from being a highly recognized journalist, Lonny Gordon has an impressive academic experience which includes being a Chairman for the Department of Dance Arts at the University of Las Vegas, Nevada (Tenured) from 1991 – 2004; presently a Professor at the School of Theatre, Illinois State University (Tenured) since 2004, Dean at the College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University from 2004 – 2008 and being an Artist In Residence at the College of Fine Arts, Illinois State University since 2008 among others.

Lon Gordon who currently works as a professor at the Illinois State University – College of Fine Arts was invited to return to his Alma Mater back in 1976. Lon was then granted tenure as an Associate Professor and Resident Artist in 1981. Lon Gordon was then promoted to the rank of Full Professor at the University of Wisconsin, Madison on June of 1985 in which he served on the graduate faculty and as the Graduate Coordinator for Dance MA, MS, MFA and PhD degrees. In addition, Lon Joseph Gordon’s focus was on the internationalized enrollment in graduate programs through his world network during that time.

Apart from those mentioned, Lon Gordon’s other professional experiences showed that he did extremely well in his career which includes being a Director for the New Arts Workshop, American Culture Center in Tokyo and Osaka in 1968, 1969 and 1979. Also, he was an Instructor at the Performance Techniques and Composition, Mariko Sanjo Dance Studio in Tokyo and Osaka from 1968 – 1969 and did MFA Presentations at the University of Wisconsin, Madison in 1967. Lon Gordon is a painter and did a One Man Exhibition of Watercolor, Collage, and Mixed Media Works which includes Costume and Stage Designs as well as choreographing “Fleetings” which is a Group Work that consists of 4 women and 1 man.