Founder of CA Youth in Theatre (CYIT) entered educational theatre by way of a small liberal arts college for women in Oklahoma which offered a specialized Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Drama. While teaching eighth grade English/Theatre in Fullerton, California, she was the first woman to complete a Master of Arts degree in Theatre at California State University, Fullerton, in 1968. She taught Theatre at El Dorado High School for years. Upon her retirement, the Black Box Theater was named The Gai Jones Theater. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at CA State University, East Bay and Santa Barbara Community College Center for Life Long Learning, writes Theatre Ed books, directs, produces educational Theatre productions, and is a SAG/AFTRA commercial actress. She is the author of RAISING THE CURTAIN, www.perfectionlearning, BREAK A LEG, A LOVE LETTER TO THEATRE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, (a gift for theatre teachers) www.gaijones.com and a new e-book THE STUDENT ACTOR PREPARES: ACTING FOR LIFE, www.intellectbooks.com. She has a new self-published book, entitled CURTAIN GOIN’ UP: TRUSIMS AND TIPS FOR COMMUNITY THEATER ACTORS, DIRECTORS, TECHNICIANS AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS. Gai Jones is an EdTA Board Member, CA Youth in Theatre Founder, has a theater named after her at El Dorado H.S. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at CSU East Bay, writes Theatre Ed books, directs, produces educational Theatre productions, and is a SAG/AFTRA commercial actress. She is the author of RAISING THE CURTAIN, www.perfectionlearning, BREAK A LEG, A LOVE LETTER TO THEATRE TEACHERS AND STUDENTS, (a gift for theatre teachers) www.gaijones.com, an e-book THE STUDENT ACTOR PREPARES: ACTING FOR LIFE, www.intellectbooks.com, and CURTAIN GOIN’ UP: TRUSIMS AND TIPS FOR COMMUNITY THEATER ACTORS, DIRECTORS, TECHNICIANS AND OTHER VOLUNTEERS.