Herbert Blau facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Herbert Blau
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Herbert Blau, 2002
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| Born | 3 May 1926 Brooklyn, New York |
| Died | 3 May 2013 (aged 87) Seattle, Washington |
| Education | B.Ch.E., New York University (Chemical Engineering), 1947 M.A., Stanford University (Drama), 1949 Ph.D., Stanford University (English & American Literature), 1954 |
| Notable works | The Impossible Theater, a Manifesto (1964) / Take Up the Bodies: Theater at the Vanishing Point (1982) / Blooded Thought: Occasions of Theatre (1982) / The Eye of Prey: Subversions of the Postmodern (1987) / The Audience (1990) / To All Appearances: Ideology and Performance (1992) / Nothing in Itself: Complexions of Fashion (1999) / Sails of the Herring Fleet: Essays on Beckett (2000) / The Dubious Spectacle: Extremities of Theater, 1976-2000 (2002) |
| Spouse | Beatrice Manley (1949-1980; divorced) |
| Children | 3 |
Herbert Blau (May 3, 1926 – May 3, 2013) was an American theater director and writer. He was known for his work in performance and for teaching at universities. He was also a special professor in the humanities at the University of Washington.
Contents
Early Life and Career Highlights
Herbert Blau first studied chemical engineering at New York University. Later, he earned advanced degrees in drama and English literature from Stanford University.
Bringing New Plays to America
Blau helped start The Actor's Workshop in San Francisco in 1952. He also co-directed the Repertory Theater of Lincoln Center in New York City. Through these groups, he introduced American audiences to exciting new plays. These included works by famous writers like Samuel Beckett, Jean Genet, and Harold Pinter.
One very famous performance was Beckett's Waiting for Godot in 1957. It was performed at California's San Quentin State Prison. This same play later represented American theater at the 1958 Brussels World's Fair.
Protesting the Vietnam War
In 1968, Herbert Blau joined many other writers and editors. He signed a pledge to refuse tax payments. This was a way to protest against the Vietnam War.
Shaping a New Arts School
Also in 1968, Blau became a founding leader at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). He helped design how the school would teach students. He brought in many talented artists and teachers. These included Allan Kaprow, John Baldessari, Nam June Paik, and Ravi Shankar.
Forming KRAKEN Theater Group
After three years at CalArts, Blau moved to Oberlin College in 1971. There, he started an experimental theater group called KRAKEN. They performed challenging and thought-provoking plays for ten years. Two books came from this work, Take Up the Bodies and Blooded Thought. These books won the George Jean Nathan Award for Dramatic Criticism. This is a major award for writing about theater.
Teaching and Mentoring
In 1974, Blau became a dean at the University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC). He brought his KRAKEN group with him. While at UMBC, he saw a young actress named Kathleen Turner perform. He encouraged her to transfer to UMBC, where she continued her studies.
In 2008, CalArts gave Blau an honorary doctor of arts degree. This was a special award for his contributions to the arts.
His Legacy and Papers
Herbert Blau's important papers and records are kept at the Harry Ransom Center in Austin, Texas. This collection includes his journals, scripts, letters, and photographs. They show his long career in theater.
Personal Life
Herbert Blau was born in Brooklyn, New York. He married Beatrice Manley in 1949. They had three children: Dick, Tara, and Jonathan. They later divorced in 1980. Blau then married Kathleen Woodward. They had one daughter together, Jessamyn.
His Passing
Herbert Blau passed away on his 87th birthday, May 3, 2013. He died in Seattle, Washington, from cancer. He was survived by his wife, his four children, seven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.
Books by Herbert Blau
Herbert Blau wrote many books about theater and performance. Here are some of his notable works:
- Blau, Herbert. Programming Theater History: The Actor's Workshop of San Francisco. New York: Routledge, 2013.
- Blau, Herbert. As If: An Autobiography, Volume 1. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2011.
- Blau, Herbert. Reality Principles: From the Absurd to the Virtual. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2011.
- Blau, Herbert. The Dubious Spectacle: Extremities of Theater, 1976-2000. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2002.
- Blau, Herbert. Sails of the Herring Fleet: Essays on Beckett. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2000.
- Blau, Herbert. Nothing in Itself: Complexions of Fashion. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1999.
- Blau, Herbert. To All Appearances: Ideology and Performance. London/New York: Routledge,1992.
- Blau, Herbert. The Audience. Baltimore: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1990.
- Blau, Herbert. The Eye of Prey: Subversions of the Postmodern. Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1987.
- Blau, Herbert. Take Up the Bodies: Theater at the Vanishing Point. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1982.
- Blau, Herbert. Blooded Thought: Occasions of Theater. New York: Performing Arts Journal Publications, 1982.
- Blau, Herbert. The Impossible Theater: A Manifesto. New York: Macmillan, 1964.
