Oscar Brockett Theatre Dedication

Oscar G. Brockett, William Faulkner, Richard Isackes

This article was first published in the Spring 2001 issue of State of the Arts, the College of Fine Arts newsletter.

After 37 years as the College of Fine Arts most versatile performance space, the Winship Drama Building's Theatre Room is getting a new name. In April, the Theatre Room will be formally dedicated as the “Oscar G. Brockett Theatre.”

Dr. Oscar G. Brockett, one of The University's most distinguished scholars and professors, is former Dean of the College of Fine Arts, the senior professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance, and the nation's foremost authority on theatre history.

"Dr. Brockett's professional accomplishments and educational leadership have helped to create a standard of excellence in the Department of Theatre and Dance that will remain forever embedded in the College," said Robert Freeman, Dean of the College of Fine Arts.

"Dr. Brockett's unwavering support of our Department and his preeminent position as the world's leading theatre historian combine to make this a most deserving and long overdue honor,' said Richard M. Isackes, Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance. "He led our Ph.D. program to national prominence and never asked for anything in return. He has quietly and humbly poured his heart into his teaching and research, always putting his students' needs first." Dr. Brockett was informed of the Department's decision to name the Theatre Room after him during a private dinner event hosted by Isackes.

"I was totally shocked and surprised, but very appreciative," Dr. Brockett said.

He was equally surprised to learn that a gift to UT of $500,000 from his family and friends had created the Oscar G. Brockett Production Endowment. Funds from the endowment will help underwrite student performances and maintain the theatre facilities.

Following a rural upbringing on a Tennessee tobacco farm, Dr. Brockett earned his Ph.D. at Stanford University. He taught at Indiana University prior to joining UT in 1978 as Dean of the College of Fine Arts. After stepping down as dean in 1980, he joined the Department of Theatre and Dance as head of its Ph.D. program. He expanded the program from five students to thirty and within nine years made it the No. 1 theatre history program in the nation, according to a U.S. News and World Report poll.

Robert Freeman, Richard Isackes, Francesca Brockett, Oscar G. Brockett, William Faulkner

A dedicated mentor, Dr. Brockett enjoys the respect and affection of countless students, both past and present. Noted for his commitment to fairness and openness to new theoretical approaches to his field, he expects excellence from his students and encourages them to seek new challenges.

"He's the most empowering teacher I've ever had," said Michael Arthur, (Ph.D. in Theatre History & Criticism, 1999). "He shows incredible faith in his students, so you try to do the best you can."

As a scholar and author, Dr. Brockett has written several books including History of the Theatre, the top–ranked and highest–selling theatre history text of the 20th century. Translated into many languages, including Chinese, Arabic, and Czech, his books have attracted world–wide readership. In 1998, a national conference was held at UT to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the publication of History of the Theatre and to honor its author.

Dr. Brockett has received many awards in recent years including election to UT's Academy of Distinguished Teachers in 1996 and the E. William Doty Award, the College of Fine Arts highest honor, in 1998. He is a Fellow of the American Theatre Association, received the Career Achievement Award from the Association of Theatre in Higher Education, and has garnered numerous honors from several professional and academic theatre associations.

If you wish to contribute to the Oscar G. Brockett Production Endowment, please call 512/232–5301.

After 28 years of dedicated service to The University of Texas at Austin College of Fine Arts and the Department of Theatre and Dance, Oscar Brockett officially retired at the end of the spring 2006 semester.