Indiana University, Bloomington. Dept. of Theatre and Drama.

The Department of Speech existed on the Indiana University campus from 1945-1957. Before its formal inception, speech and theatre classes were taught through the English Department. In 1957, the Department of Speech was renamed the Department of Speech and Theatre. In 1971, the Department of Speech and Theatre split into separate entities. During this time, interest in theatre and drama classes grew on Indiana University's Bloomington campus, which led to the construction of theatre and classroom work space, as well as the emergence of acting groups and community groups to support the new program.

From the description of Indiana University Department of Theatre and Drama records, 1925-2007, bulk 1945-1975. (Indiana University). WorldCat record id: 709716215

Department: The Department of Speech and Drama began as several rhetoric and elocution classes initially offered through the English Department’s Oral English Division. The first theatre class was taught on campus in 1915; entitled The Staging of Plays, it was listed with public speech classes in the course catalogue. In 1931, the Division of Speech was created to consolidate the existing speech classes along with the growing number of theatre classes offered by the English Department.

The Indiana University Department of Speech was formally created in 1945 with Lee Norvelle appointed as the first chair of the department; other early faculty members included Foster Harmon, Virgil A. Smith, Richard A. Moody, and Gerhard W. Gaiser. Faculty members Richard L. Scammon, William E. Kinzer, Hubert C. Heffner, David Hawes and Eugene K. Bristow, all of whom were accomplished in their respective fields, were later hired to further develop the department’s sphere of expertise. Upon Lee Norvelle’s retirement in 1957, the Department of Speech was renamed the Department of Speech and Theatre. Jeffery Auer succeeded Norvelle as chair, and Richard Moody was named director of the Indiana University theatre program. In 1971, the Department of Speech and Theatre split into two separate entities: The Department of Speech and Hearing and Department of Theatre and Drama. R. Keith Michael became chair of the Department of Theatre and Drama, and from this point onward, the department continued to hire diverse and experienced faculty members, develop and expand its course offerings, and meet the demand created by burgeoning student interest.

In the 1980’s, recurring scholarships and awards were established in the name of several individuals involved in the department’s creation, including Bill Kinzer, Hubert Heffner, and Richard Scammon. The first administrative director, Marilyn Noris, was hired in 1987, and R. Keith Michael retired as char in 1996. Dale McFadden next assumed the role of head of the Acting/Directing program, and Jonathan Michaelsen took over as Chair of the Department in 2004. Today (2010), the Department of Theatre and Drama offers undergraduate programs in theatre and drama, musical theatre, and self-designed study, along with graduate programs towards the attainment of both master’s degrees and doctorates.

Facilities and Performances: The University Theatre opened in 1941 in a wing of the new Indiana University Auditorium. This theatre, also referred to as the Little Theatre since it had only 400 seats as compared to the 4,000 found in the auditorium, shared the wing with a proscenium stage, two prop rooms, a scenic design room, a Green Room, two chorus rooms, four dressing rooms, and seven staff offices. All together, the space provided a much needed home for the growing theatre program.

The Jordan River Revue student performance group celebrated the opening of the new University Theatre on March 19, 1941 with an original music and comedy variety show. The University Theatre’s second season boasted the world premiere performance of Pulitzer Prize winner William Saroyan’s Jim Dandy . Thereafter, the theatre annually hosted a broad spectrum of dramatic performances put on by a number of student drama groups.

In 2002, Indiana University opened the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center adjacent to the original University Theatre Building, which it replaced as the main student performance space on campus. At its time of opening, this new space featured state-of-the-art technology, expansive workshops, directing and acting studios, and two new performance spaces. The University Theatre’s main performance stage successively underwent renovations to be reborn as the IU Cinema, opening in early 2011. The original auxiliary spaces within the University Theatre are to undergo one further renovation; at the time of writing (2010), it is planned that this construction will include a studio theatre, movement studio, and will physically connect the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center to the old University Theatre building.

Brown County Playhouse: In the summer of 1949, in partnership with Nashville businessman A. Jack Rogers, Lee Norvelle formed the non-profit organization the Brown County Playhouse, located in Nashville, Indiana, approximately 20 miles east of Bloomington. In 1949, the Brown County Playhouse consisted of an old barn (stage area) and a tent (audience space). In 1977, the old Brown County Playhouse was demolished and replaced by an enclosed theatre. The new structure included a thrust stage, air conditioning, and a 400 seat auditorium. The Brown County Playhouse continued to offer theatrical events to local residents and visitors, while boasting the title of Indiana’s longest running professional theatre. The Indiana Theatre Circle helped to financially support the Playhouse after the group’s 1977 inception. Students affiliated with Indiana University continued to perform on the Brown County Playhouse stage through the 2010 season, when the Department of Theatre and Drama decided to move its summer program from Nashville, IN to on-campus facilities in Bloomington.

Auxiliary Performance Opportunities and Groups: In 1960, IU purchased the paddle-wheeler Showboat Majestic, which gave students the opportunity to spend the summer season performing at towns along the Ohio River; the boat was sold in 1967 due to disrepair. Also starting in the 1960s, students had the opportunity to perform with the Indiana Theatre Company, which toured Indiana and adjacent states.

The Indiana Theatre Circle (ITC) was founded in 1978 as a support group endorsing the study and practice of theatre arts at Indiana University, as well promoting awareness of theatre to the Bloomington community and public at large. IU alumnus David Kramer was named the group’s first president. Members of the ITC enjoy a variety of benefits depending upon their level of monetary donation, including receipt of the Theatre circle Insights newsletter, acknowledgement in programs, reserved performance seating, and complimentary performance tickets, among other offerings. ITC’s funds are used to support student scholarships and awards, underwrite performance expenses, and fund special projects.

From the guide to the Indiana University Department of Theatre and Drama records, 1925-2007, bulk 1945-1975, (Indiana University Office of University Archives and Records Management http://www.libraries.iub.edu/archives)