The Essential Theatre
Oscar G. Brockett will always have an international reputation as a theatre historian. A Distinguished Scholar honoree of the American Society of Theatre Research, he received career achievement awards from both the Association for Theatre in Higher Education and the United States Institute for Theatre Technology. He was a recipient of the Robert Lewis Medal for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre Research. After receiving his Ph.D. from Stanford University, he taught at several major American universities and at the University of Bristol in England. He has also served as President of the American Theatre Association, Dean of the College of Fine Arts at the University of Texas, Editor of Theatre Journal, and on the editorial board of the "Asian Theatre Journal." He held the prestigious University of Texas Z.T. Scott Family Chair in Drama and was the Director of the Center for Dramatic and Performance Studies for several years. Dr. Brockett authored of many articles in leading journals and has written several books, including "History of the Theatre" and "The Essential Theatre." At the time of his passing, he was serving as a Distinguished Teaching Professor at the University of Texas at Austin, and the Dean of the Fellows of the American Theatre.Robert J. Ball has ample experience as a successful teacher of Introduction to Theatre and Theatre Appreciation courses at a number of large and small universities, including Trinity University, the University of Texas, and Vanderbilt University. He is also a practicing actor and director with numerous professional credits in American regional theatres, as well as credits for national and international touring productions. Dr. Ball received his Ph.D. in theatre history and criticism from the University of Texas and is currently the Chair and Artistic Director of the Theatre Arts program at the University of the Incarnate Word.