Wilson, Robert Hyde

Robert Hyde Wilson was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He received a degree in business from the University of Utah in 1936, worked for a few years at the United States Smelting Mining and Refining Company, but found his interest lay in the theater. He acted in a number of Maud May Babcock's plays, and in collaboration with Robert Freed, became a co-founder, manager, and the director of The Playbox in 1937. As his fame spread, Wilson was invited to direct productions at Kingsbury Hall and teach courses in theater at the University of Utah. In 1956, Wilson received his M.A. from the University of Utah and was subsequently granted a full professorship in 1965. Upon the opening of Pioneer Memorial Theater in 1962, Wilson directed one to two main stage productions every season through 1982. Additionally, Wilson co-founded the Lagoon Opera House and was named Impressaro, a position he maintained through 1982.

Wilson constantly worked to keep up with the current trends in theater by taking annual trips to New York to view numerous theatrical productions between 1937 and 1984. He spent six extended study periods in London, England, viewing theater productions and observing techniques taught in drama schools. In addition to his directing skills, Wilson wrote fifteen plays, three of which have been produced on main stage at the Pioneer Memorial Theater.