William Perry Morgan

Wm. Perry Morgan, 64, passed away in Greensboro, NC on August 29th, 2025, as the result of a single vehicle car accident caused by a medical event. Since 2011, Perry taught at Greensboro College, earning the rank of Full Professor of Theatre. He also created the B.F.A. Musical Theatre program for the college. Perry taught as an adjunct at Elon University, GTCC, and Randolph Community College. Prior to moving to Greensboro, Perry taught at Northwestern State University in Louisiana, and Emory & Henry College in Virginia.

In 1972, Perry founded the Avy Academy of Arts and Sciences in New Jersey, an organization which honored the outstanding achievements in New Jersey Theatres. When he married and left that state, the awards organization was renamed “The Perry Awards” in his honor.

Perry was the Author, Composer and Lyricist for the musicals Beyond that Hill-Meet Me (1978) and Gym! (1983). He served twenty years as the Company Composer for PYRAMID PRODUCTIONS, a professional touring theatre company in Indiana. His work there earned him a Grammy Award nomination. Perry also served as a composer for the professional New York Dance Company Cara Gargano and Dancers. His ballet scores had their World Premiers in Nyon, Switzerland (Letter to Margery), Paris France (Eden Suite Movement 1), and New York NY (Eden Suite Movement II)

Perry was the Conservatory Director and Assistant Director of the Theatre for Youth Program at Playhouse on the Square in Memphis TN. He was the Resident Musical Director and a Resident Acting Company Member at the historic Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia. Perry’s other credits include Cane River Rep (LA), Greenbrier Valley Theatre (WV), Arkansas Rep (AR), Pittsburgh Musical Theatre (PA), Bigfork Summer Playhouse (MT), Clinton Area Showboat Theatre (IA), and Summerblue Arts (MN).

He appeared Off-Broadway in Scrambled Feet and helped create the Off-Broadway revue Smoke Rings.

Perry played Mark Dolson in two separate tours on the play Mass Appeal.

Professor Morgan earned his M.F.A. from Naropa University in Boulder, CO, in addition to his Master’s degree and Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Long Island University-C W Post, where his song was used as the theme for that institution’s 30th Anniversary Celebration. Perry was a proud member of Actor’s Equity Association and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. In 1987, he was elected into Who’s Who In Entertainment.

Perry is survived by his wife Jo, his father Bill, his stepmother Barbara, his brother Dav and niece Kiersten, and his sister Nancy, as well as his “kids” - his dog, Marko and cat, Sierra.

On Saturday, October 4th at 2pm, A Celebration of Perry’s Life will be held in the Gail Brower Huggins Performance Center on the Greensboro College campus. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the Greensboro College Theatre Department 815 W. Market Street, Greensboro, NC 27401.