Lyn Dutson

A retired theatre educator, costume designer and patron of the arts, Lyn Dutson has excelled in a career dedicated to education and performance. Most recently in her career, she served Mesa Community College as a faculty member from 1969 until 2010 when she was named professor emeritus. She served as a faculty senator from 1982 until 2006, and was elected as the faculty senate president in 2005. She had also taught as a lecturer at Arizona State University in the late 1960s. In her theater career, Ms. Dutson has directed more than 80 productions, as well as been the costume designer for more than 150 productions.

Finding great success in her career, Ms. Dutson has been the recipient of a 2007 Faculty Service Award from Mesa Community College, a 2002 Arizona Award and a 2000 Arizona Theatre Alliance Award. In 2004, she was listed to the Who’s Who Among American Teachers. Ms. Dutson attributes her success to being in the right place at the right time and to her willingness to work long hours and try new things. Most importantly, she credits her imagination for costuming and directing and her supportive husband, daughter and colleagues.

Ms. Dutson became involved in her profession due to the influence of her high school play director, Richard Hutchinson. She greatly admired his patience and ability to teach and subsequently her love for theater, costumes, the history and directing all came together. Matriculating at Arizona State University, Ms. Dutson earned a Bachelor of Arts in 1966 and a Master of Arts in 1967. Today, she remains professionally affiliated with the U.S. Institute for Theatre Technology and the Costume Society of America, and supports the Southern Poverty Law Center, American Civil Liberties Union and Common Cause.

In her retirement, Ms. Dutson has dedicated herself to fitness and community service, volunteering as an adjudicator for AriZoni Awards and a driver, assistant and financial planner for the blind and visually impaired. She is also a past treasurer and board member for the Class 6 Theatre Company, and an actor member of the Society of American Fight Directors. Ms. Dutson holds black belts in both Kenpo Jiu Jitsu and Goju-Shorei Weapons System and enjoys reading genre fiction, traveling and gardening in addition to her martial arts practice.