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Cohen (Robert) papers
MS.P.069  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Access
  • Publication Rights
  • Preferred Citation
  • Acquisition Information
  • Processing History
  • Biography
  • Biographical/Historical note
  • Collection Scope and Content Summary
  • Collection Arrangement

  • Contributing Institution: Special Collections and Archives, University of California, Irvine Libraries
    Title: Robert Cohen papers
    Creator: Cohen, Robert
    Identifier/Call Number: MS.P.069
    Physical Description: 8.7 Linear Feet (20 boxes and one oversized folder) and 2.3 unprocessed linear feet
    Date (inclusive): 1966-2014
    Abstract: This collection comprises papers of Robert Cohen, a professor of drama and founding faculty member at the University of California, Irvine. Fifty-three production books, which include scripts, reviews, photographs and stage directions, document Cohen's work as director for theater productions at UCI and the Utah and Colorado Shakespeare Festivals. The collection also includes reviews, correspondence, and information about UCI Drama Department alumni, as well as textbooks and articles written by Cohen and issues of theater publications.
    Language of Material: English .

    Access

    The collection is open for research. Access to original film is restricted; researchers may request viewing copies.

    Publication Rights

    Property rights reside with the University of California. Literary rights are retained by the creators of the records and their heirs. For permissions to reproduce or to publish, please contact the Head of Special Collections and Archives.

    Preferred Citation

    Robert Cohen Papers. MS-P069. Special Collections and Archives, The UC Irvine Libraries, Irvine, California. Date accessed.
    For the benefit of current and future researchers, please cite any additional information about sources consulted in this collection, including permanent URLs, item or folder descriptions, and box/folder locations.

    Acquisition Information

    Gifts of Robert Cohen, 2005 and 2013. Additions are expected.

    Processing History

    Processed by Audrey Pearson, 2007. Accession added by Alix Norton, 2013.

    Biography

    Robert Cohen is the founding chair of the University of California, Irvine Drama Department and a renowned professor, director, translator, playwright, essayist, and drama critic. In 2001 he was named Claire Trevor Professor of Drama at UCI.
    Cohen was born in Washington, D.C. in 1938. As an undergraduate he studied at Dartmouth College and UC Berkeley. After earning his Doctor of Fine Arts at Yale University in 1965, he joined the faculty at UCI.
    Over the course of his career, Cohen has directed over 70 stage productions at UCI. He is also the author of many books on theatre, including Acting One/Acting Two , Acting Professionally, Acting Power, Acting in Shakespeare, Theatre, More Power To You, Creative Play Direction, Giraudoux: Three Faces of Destiny , two dramatic anthologies, and many plays, translations, scholarly articles, and reviews. He has frequently directed productions for the Utah and Colorado Shakespeare Festivals. In 1993 he was awarded the UCI Medal, UCI's highest honor, and in 1999 he received the Career Achievement Award from the Association for Theatre in Higher Education.

    Biographical/Historical note

    Chronology

    1938 Born in Washington, D.C.
    1965 Received Doctor of Fine Arts from Yale School of Drama.
    1965 Appointed founding chair of UCI's Drama Department.
    1967 Founded the Student Repertory Theatre at UCI.
    1990 Stepped down as Chair of the Drama Department.
    1993 Awarded the UCI Medal.
    1999 Received the Career Achievement Award from the Association for Theatre in Higher Education.
    2001 Named Claire Trevor Professor of Drama.
    2005 Re-appointed Chair of the Drama Department.

    Collection Scope and Content Summary

    This collection comprises papers of Robert Cohen, a drama professor at the University of California, Irvine. The collection spans his career at UCI, beginning with the opening of the campus in 1965. Fifty-three production books, which include scripts, reviews, photographs and stage directions, document Cohen's work as director for theater productions at UCI and the Utah and Colorado Shakespeare Festivals. The collection also includes reviews, correspondence, information about UCI Drama Department alumni, an unpublished manuscript titled Edwin Booth in Performance, various textbooks and articles written by Cohen, issues of theater publications, and a film reel of John M. Whiteley.

    Collection Arrangement

    This collection is arranged into 3 series:
    • Series 1. Production books, 1966-2007
    • Series 2. Subject files, 1966-2010
    • Series 3. Textbooks and journals, 1970-2011
    This collection also contains 1 unprocessed addition:
    Accession 2018.021. Unprocessed addition 2018, 1984-2014. 2.3 linear feet

    Subjects and Indexing Terms

    Scripts (documents) -- 20th century.
    Costume design drawings -- 20th century.
    Drama -- Study and teaching (Higher) -- 20th century
    Theater programs -- 20th century.
    College theater -- California -- Irvine -- History -- Sources
    Photographic prints -- 20th century.
    Cohen, Robert -- Archives
    University of California, Irvine. Student's Repertory Theatre -- Archives
    University of California, Irvine -- Faculty -- Archives
    University of California, Irvine -- Archives
    University of California, Irvine. Department of Drama -- Archives