Title: Theatre Arts Department Records, 1910-

ID: UA138

Extent: 1.25 Linear Feet

Subjects: Theater and Film, University of North Dakota - Academic Departments, University of North Dakota - Theater

Languages: English

The Theatre Arts Department Records have been divided into four series as follows:

Series 1: General History

Series 2: Sock and Buskin Society, 1910-1917

Series 3: Dakota Playmakers, 1918-1970

Series 4: Theatre Arts Department, 1971-

Although theatre at the University of North Dakota has a rich history, a formal Theatre Arts Department did not exist prior to 1971. Frederick Koch founded the Sock and Buskin Society in 1910 and directed the earliest plays on campus. The society received national newspaper coverage after performing "A Pageant of the North-West" in 1914 and "Shakespeare, the Playmaker" in 1916. Koch became an in demand Chautauqua lecturer before leaving UND for the University of North Carolina in 1918.

In late 1917, the Sock and Buskin Society formally changed its name to the "Dakota Playmakers." Theatre at UND continued under the auspices of the Speech Department until the formation of the Theatre Arts Department in 1971; Dr. Ronald Engle served as the first department chair.

Theater and Film
University of North Dakota - Academic Departments
University of North Dakota - Theater

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Method: Transferred from University Publications in June 2018.

Preferred Citation: (Description of Item). Theatre Arts Department Records.  UA 138, Box #, Folder #.  Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Processing Information: Processed by Curt Hanson in June 2018.