Buddy Test
- Title
- Department of Speech and Theatre Brochure
- Creator
- (unknown)
- Date
- 1966
- Subject
- Kansas City, Missouri
- University of Missouri- Kansas City
- theater education
- speech education
- Description
- The pamphlet has a black, yellow, and grey color scheme. It advertises the UMKC Department of Speech and Theatre and describes the undergraduate and graduate programs. It also lists the faculty members and details the department's focuses such as theatre and forensics. There are also seven small black and white photos of students and staff members.
- Publisher
- University of Missouri- Kansas City
- Type
- Brochure
- Coverage
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Source
- n/a
- Rights
- Copyright University of Missouri 1966, Educational Use Permitted
- Item sets
- Patricia McIlrath
- Media
SKM_360i25040111460.jpg
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Dr. McIlrath was hired as the Director of the Playhouse and Head of the Department of Public Speaking, Radio and Theatre for Kansas City University in the fall of 1954. Dr. Felicia Londre, a friend of Dr. McIlrath, described this department as one “that combined speech, theater, and radio towards a degree in English.”
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Dr. McIlrath gradually worked to expand the university’s theater. She increased theater productions and brought in other theater professionals to work on productions and be visiting professors. She also hired professional actors to star in academic productions so that students would have the opportunity to work with professional actors.
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In 1969, Dr. McIlrath listed “expanded productions, revitalized curriculum, additional faculty, and supplemented budgets” as signs of how much theater at UMKC had grown!
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The Department of Speech and Theatre had a collaborative environment and department leadership consulted faculty for their input on important decisions, play selection, and class assignments. Students were also encouraged to express their opinions.
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The theater program continued growing as the university went through changes. In 1963, the University of Kansas City became part of the University of Missouri system. Although this did not greatly affect Dr. McIlrath’s work or the Playhouse, it did affect the Playhouse's official name! It also changed the university from private to public, so the state government had more control over the university.
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In 1964, Dr. McIlrath described herself as “both chairman of the department of speech and theater and director of the playhouse.”
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In 1972, the Department of Theater was finally created as an independent department.
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A significant milestone was reached in 1981, when the Department of Theater was accredited to offer a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theatre.