Herbert Blau
Encyclopedia
A director and theoretician of performance, Herbert Blau (born 1926) is Byron W. and Alice L. Lockwood Professor in the Humanities at the University of Washington
. As co-founder (with Jules Irving) of The Actor's Workshop in San Francisco (1952–1965) and co-director of the Repertory Theater of Lincoln Center in New York (1965–67), Blau introduced American audiences to avant-garde drama in some of the country's first productions of Samuel Beckett
, Jean Genet
, and Harold Pinter
including the 1957 performance of Beckett's Waiting for Godot
at California's San Quentin State Prison
. In 1968, he signed the “Writers and Editors War Tax Protest” pledge, vowing to refuse tax payments in protest against the Vietnam War.
In 1971, after three years as a dean and provost at the newly formed California Institute of the Arts
, Blau formed the experimental group KRAKEN, where he continued presenting challenging productions for another decade. The two books that emerged from that work—Take Up the Bodies: Theater at the Vanishing Point (University of Illinois Press, 1982) and Blooded Thought: Occasions of Theater (Performing Arts Journal Publications, 1982)—received the George Jean Nathan
Award for Dramatic Criticism. Blau's most recent book is The Dubious Spectacle: Extremities of Theater (University of Minnesota Press, 2002). His first is The Impossible Theater: A Manifesto (Macmillan Company, 1964). In addition to the theater, Blau has taken up the subjects of literature, visual arts, fashion, postmodern culture and politics.
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) conferred an honorary Doctor of Arts degree to Blau in May 2008. Blau was CalArts' first provost and played a leading role in shaping its radical educational model.
He earned his B.Ch.E., Chemical Engineering from New York University
(1947). Later, his M.A. in Drama (1949), and Ph.D.,English & American Literature (1954), both from Stanford University
.
He was married to actress Beatrice Manley, who died in 2002. Their son is film professor Dick Blau
.
University of Washington
University of Washington is a public research university, founded in 1861 in Seattle, Washington, United States. The UW is the largest university in the Northwest and the oldest public university on the West Coast. The university has three campuses, with its largest campus in the University...
. As co-founder (with Jules Irving) of The Actor's Workshop in San Francisco (1952–1965) and co-director of the Repertory Theater of Lincoln Center in New York (1965–67), Blau introduced American audiences to avant-garde drama in some of the country's first productions of Samuel Beckett
Samuel Beckett
Samuel Barclay Beckett was an Irish avant-garde novelist, playwright, theatre director, and poet. He wrote both in English and French. His work offers a bleak, tragicomic outlook on human nature, often coupled with black comedy and gallows humour.Beckett is widely regarded as among the most...
, Jean Genet
Jean Genet
Jean Genet was a prominent and controversial French novelist, playwright, poet, essayist, and political activist. Early in his life he was a vagabond and petty criminal, but later took to writing...
, and Harold Pinter
Harold Pinter
Harold Pinter, CH, CBE was a Nobel Prize–winning English playwright and screenwriter. One of the most influential modern British dramatists, his writing career spanned more than 50 years. His best-known plays include The Birthday Party , The Homecoming , and Betrayal , each of which he adapted to...
including the 1957 performance of Beckett's Waiting for Godot
Waiting for Godot
Waiting for Godot is an absurdist play by Samuel Beckett, in which two characters, Vladimir and Estragon, wait endlessly and in vain for someone named Godot to arrive. Godot's absence, as well as numerous other aspects of the play, have led to many different interpretations since the play's...
at California's San Quentin State Prison
San Quentin State Prison
San Quentin State Prison is a California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation state prison for men in unincorporated San Quentin, Marin County, California, United States. Opened in July 1852, it is the oldest prison in the state. California's only death row for male inmates, the largest...
. In 1968, he signed the “Writers and Editors War Tax Protest” pledge, vowing to refuse tax payments in protest against the Vietnam War.
In 1971, after three years as a dean and provost at the newly formed California Institute of the Arts
California Institute of the Arts
The California Institute of the Arts, commonly referred to as CalArts, is located in Valencia, in Los Angeles County, California. It was incorporated in 1961 as the first degree-granting institution of higher learning in the United States created specifically for students of both the visual and the...
, Blau formed the experimental group KRAKEN, where he continued presenting challenging productions for another decade. The two books that emerged from that work—Take Up the Bodies: Theater at the Vanishing Point (University of Illinois Press, 1982) and Blooded Thought: Occasions of Theater (Performing Arts Journal Publications, 1982)—received the George Jean Nathan
George Jean Nathan
George Jean Nathan was an American drama critic and editor.-Early life:Nathan was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana...
Award for Dramatic Criticism. Blau's most recent book is The Dubious Spectacle: Extremities of Theater (University of Minnesota Press, 2002). His first is The Impossible Theater: A Manifesto (Macmillan Company, 1964). In addition to the theater, Blau has taken up the subjects of literature, visual arts, fashion, postmodern culture and politics.
California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) conferred an honorary Doctor of Arts degree to Blau in May 2008. Blau was CalArts' first provost and played a leading role in shaping its radical educational model.
He earned his B.Ch.E., Chemical Engineering from New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
(1947). Later, his M.A. in Drama (1949), and Ph.D.,English & American Literature (1954), both from Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
.
He was married to actress Beatrice Manley, who died in 2002. Their son is film professor Dick Blau
Dick Blau
Dick Blau is an artist and a major figure producing and theorizing photography of the family.-Education:Blau holds a BA in English from Harvard University and a Ph.D. in American Studies from Yale University...
.