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About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (May 13, 1966)
Friday, May 13, 1966 The Daily Nebraskan Page 9 Theatre Director Is Beginning the day with ad ministrative duties, classes in the afternoon and ending late at night with play rehearsals is the typical schedule for this semester's Outstanding Neb- braskan Professor, Dr. Wil liam R. Morgan, director of the University Theatre. "My life is ancnored at the University, the library or at home . . .there is no room for anything e I s e," explained Morgan. The University Theatre, which Morgan termed a "co curricular" area of the De partment of S pe e c h and Dramatic Art, takes most of his morning hours with equip ping, working with production, casting and other aspects. Lauding his co - workers, Morgan commented, "Even with a business manager who is extremely efficient, it still takes a daily effort." The University Theatre di rector teaches two' sessions of acting daily, an advanced act ting course and next year will teach a directing course. He also conducts graduate semi nars. Morgan supervises the mas ters degree candidates. Cur rently he has ten masters candidates working at various stages of getting their degrees. Morgan's theatrical career began in 1928 during the de pression when he served as a child actor with a company in Indianapolis. "However, the company THE COSTUME SHOP . . helped to establish. Here Orientation Cont. frompg. 1, col. S Expectations of and for Col lege Freshmen", moderated by Chancellor Hardin. Also on the program for parents is: a presentation by University staff members on policies and practices; a tour of the campus; meeting with faculty representatives of the college in which their son or daughter plans to enroll. . Sessions with representa tives from a variety of cam pus organizations and activi ties, including religious organ izations, ROTC departments, fraternities, sororities, camp us government and student activities; discussions of cam pus life with student mem bers; and an evening program of recreation with students and other parents. look for the golden arches McOONAlD'S MENU 100 Puro Beef Hamburgers Tempting Cheeseburgers Old-Fashioned Shakes Crisp Golden French Fries Thirst-Quenching Coko Delightful Root Beer Coffee As You Like It Refreshing Cold Milk Full-Flavored Orange Drink rmn 66 FAm " U I N I iff" - I f bL'l I U i h r----- J fv I -.-; -.-I vrJ 75 r AA. . I . If 1 4W A 4 I v MAY SO & 21 BOX OFFICE ROOM 103 TEMPLE went broke while playing at the Palace Theatre in Hous ton, Texas; I guess that is why I'm a Texan," he joked. He received his bachelor's degree in fine arts from the University of Texas in 1942. Morgan was among the first class in the newly created De partment of Drama at the University of Texas. Among his classmates in drama were Allen Ludden and Gov. Tom Connelly and his wife, who were riding with President Kennedy at the time of his assassination. Serving in the Burma-India Theatre during World War II, he built up a number of shows and productions for the troops. It was during this time that he wrote three musicals. After the war ,he traveled with a professional touring company sponsored by Para mount Theatre presenting three shows in repertory. "After a year of one-night stands. I decided I wanted into educational theatre," Morgan said. From there he went to the University of Iowa where he received his masters de gree in 1948 and his doctorate in 1951. Morgan has taught at the University of C a 1 i f o r n i a, Brooklyn College, Carthage College and the University of Minnesota at Deluth before coming to the University of Nebraska in the summer of 1959. Serving as assistant profes- . is an important part of the he inspects one of the wigs production. A'' ... 'A git!- js, jM. " kirn f Hv . . . falls delicately over the printed cotton voile dress with a skirt that fairly dances with your every move. The fitted bodice In one shade, the (lowing skirt In another . . . both neatly marked-off with the interesting contrast of a striped bow-tie belt. Such a softlv romantio approach to summer! Sizes 5 to 15. (1 9.00 Quentins 1229 R TTDTI 11 line iiDiiaDciDCiu uwimaDU sor in speech and dramatic art, Morgan became director of the University Theatre in August, 1961. Among the shows he has produced at the University are "Diary of Anne Frank," "Ring Around the Moon," "Measure for Measure," "I Remember Mama," "Love's Old Sweet Song," "Much Ado About Nothing," "Hamlet," "The Wake of the Porpoise," "Peer Gynt," "Antony and Cleopatra," and this year, "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf." Active in all aspects of the Theatre, Morgan has institu ted a program of oral read ings on the University campus and has designed a number of stage settings. He is a mem ber of a special committee set up by the Chancellor on the Development of Arts, Humani ties and the Social Sciences. As the letter nominating him states, "Dr. Morgan has been the guiding force behind the creation, new this year and an overwhelming suc cess, of the University Thea tre in repertory program and has further found time each year to serve as play director and designer for the All-State High School Fine Arts Pro gram.' "Feeling that the Lincoln campus community h a s so many things drawing its at tention, we started the reper tory system in an effort to give them a greater choice of Theatre that Dr. Morgan that was used in a past 432-3645 W1 V:1 AH-U - I LAST TW PEHSFISMAMCE! UNIVERSITY TIIEABTE PRESENTS Ti TTT Named 'Outstanding Nebraskan9 timej to see the plays," Mor gan a i d. "In addition, it makes for a better learning experience for the directors and actors." With the repertory system, he said, actors can put on the play, get the reaction, rework the play and then put it on again, improving it. He said the increased number of per formances allows the actors to play to a variety of audi ences. In the letter of nomination, a student cites Dr. Morgan as "constantly striving to bring professionalism to Uni versity Theatre, to widen the dramatic scope of the Univer sity, and to instill in his stu dents, advisees and co workers his own fervent love for education and the drama." Morgan noted that the pur pose of the University Thea tre, to him, "is not simply to follow the route of community theater with successful Broad way rehashes." "We have an educational obligation to bring the best of the world's drama, classical and modern, from all coun tries, so students during the four years they are in college, can see the major currents in drama." He noted that while the Uni versity Theatre is designed to be an educational and training experience, it is also designed to be entertaining and excit ing. Morgan said the University Theatre has brought in more people this year than any time since its creation in 1905. Asked if he would ever like to get back into professional theatre, Morgan replied, "In a sense, I have never felt out of it. I will have lived with more plays in one year than many professionals will have lived with in their lifetime. In fact, I haven't even noticed I've been out of the profes sional theatre." Emphasizing h i s demand for excellence from students, Morgan said, "We don't water AT CIGARETTES Lowest Prices h-'-yyAl!1 i 53 EVERY. tim" 'r " irnfliCTiiii DIVIDEND BONDED GAS 16th & P Sts. Just South of Campus 4.99 fQ 66 RLIIG down our standards at all. Al-! though we may fail often, we are constantly striving for the highest level of professional ism." "This is the best youth elixir I know of," he added. Although he has 58 students who are majoring in the theatre area, he has four very loyal theatre students at home. Morgan's wife, Ruth, teaches freshman English at the University and many times grading papers becomes a family affair, he com mented. "I was in the Army, sta tioned at Fort Mead, Mary land for basic training and Ruth decided if I was in the Army, she would be, too and so she joined the WACs," Morgan said. "We became the first Army couple ever married in the Navel Academy Chapel," he quipped. Explaining the cir cumstances, he said he had just finished a show for the Navel Academy and showing their appreciation, they al lowed him to be married in the Naval Chapel. "But two weeks later I was on a boat," he added. The Morgan household also contains three other loyal fans two sons Trevor, 16, and Gilbert, 11 and a daugh terCynthia, "who will be five next week." Talking about his family, Morgan said, "My eldest son has switched from model air planes to girls and cars; I share a fiendish delight with Gilbert for space monsters and science information, and Cynthia and I agree she is the long lost princess, Anastasia." Relating that he has little free time, he did admit that his chief relaxing period is "getting a tent and going to remote, wilderness areas to camp out." "And the four-year-old is a good camper, too," he added. In the summer stock thea tre, he founded a theatre in SAL. ,,, 1 An A FAMILY MAN ... Dr. Morgan poses with his wife and three children. Mrs. Mor gan is also a University instructor. the Okoboji-Spirit Lake area of northern Iowa, which is presently affiliated with Ste phens College. As his students attest, he has provided sum- University To Receive Cont. from pg. 1, col. 7 the program, the fellowships will be awarded to recent col lege graduates (those who received bachelors degrees in the past three years), and to college graduates w ho have never taught or have not taught in recent years. Re turning Peace Corps volun teers will be eligible. Persons interested in apply ing for the fellowships should contact Dr. Wesley Meierhen ry, Room 100, Teachers College. Shop Downtown Daily 9:30 to 5:30, Thurs. 10 to 9 Gateway Daily 10 to 9, Tues. & Sat. 10 to 6 Iff) filer &fme The Mad Marvelous Mods Carnobie Street comes to Lincoln with these new Mad Mod shor.-sleeve sports shirts. Authentic British styling with new large collar and tapered body. 100 cotton in a WILD array of color-splashed prints. Choose "Grampy style, Polka Dot patern at $4, or Paisley print at $5. vl r f j A , An h mer stock experience for stu dents at the Lakes Region Playhouse in Laconia, New Hampshire where he served as director, actor and state manager from 1952 to 1957. Dr. Morgan has been a member of Actor's Equity Association since 1946; of the Nebraska State Speech Asso ciation since 1961; of the North Central Theatre Asso ciation since 1958 and of both the Speech Association of American and the American Educational Theatre Associa tion since 1951. He is also member of the Centennial Play Committee. Morgan received an honor ary membership in Sigma Tau Delta and received the Alpha Special arrangement for women students at the Nertleton Manor Dormitory Apts. for Summer Session Located at 18th & J Furnished AC Dislwoshers Laundry ctc. Room U Woeks Rote - $140 wcKi Roto S4 Contact Mr. Tschetter at Lincoln School of Commerce Univ. Approved Hons I no 1821 K St. 7 iB. WshL i i Vs AU:t i . umiwn nmun.wn.11,1. .Mum.. .i..i THE CLU YOUNG MAN 5HOP am wt o mau uvii out ttAMn mm rvar nocnak At m touho mati mor"vm omf MAY IS & 14 PHONE UNI. EXT. 2072-73 Psi Omega Award in recogni tion of meritorious direction of college dramatics in 1957. He also received the Ne-. braska Masquer's Honorary. Service Award in 1961. Mor-. gan has served as faculty sponsor of this organization. Summing up Dr. Morgan is , the letter of nomination: "Dr. Morgan's ceaseless ac tivity to improve theatre and education at the University; ' 'his constant willingness to give of himself and his great talents to students, actors, -and co-workers; and his envi able record of achievement in his chosen fields of education and drama truly represent the spirit of the "Outstanding Ne braskan" Award. n-nts r Al A yr B