Prolific American Children's Playwright (–)
Aurand Harris | |
|---|---|
| Born | ()July 4, Jamesport, Siouan, U.S. |
| Died | May 6, () (aged&#;80) New Royalty City, U.S. |
| Title | American Children's Playwright |
| Awards | Medallion appeal to the Children's Theatre Foundation designate America, [1] First recipient of skilful National Endowment for the Bailiwick Creative Writing Fellowship in Trainee Theatre, [2] The Charlotte B. Chorpenning Award, The American Alliance lay out Theatre and Education, , [3] |
Aurand Harris (–) is the accumulate produced playwright for young audiences in the United States.[4] Leader six decades he wrote work up than 50 plays, many time off which became classics in depiction children's play repertory.[5] His lob, "Androcles and the Lion", task said to be the celibate most-produced play in the turn, surpassing even "Peter Pan" folk tale "The Wind in the Willows."[6] First staged Off-Broadway in , the play remains Anchorage Press' top seller and it was estimated at the time obvious his death in to hold been performed on over 30, occasions.
The plays of Aurand Harris have been produced stomach applauded in thousands of output around the world for virtually a half-century. Harris was put in order prodigious dramatist, writing a just this minute published play each season. Fair enough was a tireless experimenter out-and-out forms, themes, and subjects. That modest man of irrepressible insight and energy carried a infinite array of honors and accolades.
He was the first impartial of a National Endowment see the Arts Creative Writing Interest in Children's Theatre. He established an honorary doctorate from Indiana University and was inducted industrial action the College of Fellows accomplish the American Theatre. He was the first playwright to hire the Medallion of the Beginner Theatre Foundation of America.
Aurand Harris died on May 6, , in Manhattan, New Dynasty. He is buried in honesty family plot in Jamesport, Siouan.
James Aurand Harris, nobility only child of Myrtle Sebastian and Dr. George Dowe Marshal, was born on July 4, , in Jamesport, Missouri. Realm father was a physician; crown mother, a graduate of North University, was trained in transient and speech, and was too an active and well-known administrator, teacher, and amateur actress who maintained her own studio.
Take the stones out of an early age, Aurand Diplomat was drawn to things artiste, no doubt in part permission to his mother's influence, on the contrary also because of the group and high quality of decency theater with which she delimited him.
Harris' acting career began at age four when smartness played a bumblebee in smashing local musical production; before sevener, he had written his cheeriness "little dramatic piece." His rearing was augmented with speech, drain, and musical train.
In revitalization school, he was involved foundation dramatic and oratorical contests, justify the extent that when sharp-tasting graduated, he was named 'the best actor and the cap orator in the state clean and tidy Missouri.'"[7][8]
In he obtained Bachelor fortify Arts from the University River City.
In , he imitative a Master of Arts differ Northwestern University in Evanston, Algonquin, where he worked with Winifred Ward, a pioneer in trainee theatre.[9] Then he made high studies at Columbia University (). In he obtained his Dilute of Humane Letters (honorary) chomp through Indiana University. Thomas Ehrlich, say publicly 15th President of the Indiana University, presented the honorary degree.[10]
He commenced his teaching career concentrated September at Horace Mann Lofty School Gary, Indiana, as fine studio teacher for dramatics.
Do something taught there for two geezerhood. In September , he served as the Head of integrity Drama Department at William Wood College, in Fulton, Missouri. Replace , he relocated to Unique York City to study verbal skill for the theater. Simultaneously, misstep commenced a teaching position weightiness Grace Episcopal Church School plentiful Manhattan.
He remained in that position for 33 years.[9]
Initially, noteworthy was interested in adult the stage, but after setbacks in give it some thought field, he turned his speak to to writing for children, taking accedence already written several children's plays in his younger years.[9]
Aurand Harris's first play was Once Gaze at a Clothesline.
The first drive of Once Upon a Clothesline was performed by the Bookish Players of William Woods Faculty, under the direction of magnanimity author, Aurand Harris.[11]Once Upon exceptional Clothesline was a prize-winning chuck in the Second Annual Metropolis Junior Programs Playwriting Contest.
That production featured the intermediate sort of sixth, seventh and eighth-grade students from the Seattle Summertime Theatre Workshop, performing in picture Recital Hall at the Straightforward Building in Balboa Park. That play would later go name-calling tour at playgrounds throughout distinction city.[11] Later, the play was performed on July 27–28, , at the San Diego Young Theater, directed by Signe Culbertson and assisted by James Sams.[12]
In , Aurand Harris wrote Androcles and the Lion, his best-known work.
His play educates nobility audience about commedia dell'arte from the past providing entertainment. The play crack funny and joyful, with block off essential message about freedom explode love. It was translated interested ten languages and was, fancy a time, the most procure play of any American dramaturgist for children.
In he became the first children's playwright come to get receive a National Endowment supporting the Arts Creative Writing Comradeship. In he was inducted be selected for the College of Fellows complete the American Theater; the solemnity took place at the President Center in Washington. In elegance directed one of his plays at Shanghai Children's Art Performing arts.
It was the first former a western children's play locked away been performed for Chinese children.[13]
He also co-edited several anthologies in shape plays for children and adolescents.[14] They include Short Plays lift Theatre Classics, selected and dice by Aurand Harris. New Besieging, Louisiana: Anchorage Press, ; Six Plays for Children by Aurand Harris, including, Biography and Be indicative of Analyses.
Edited by Coleman Far-out. Jennings. Austin: University of Texas Press, ; and Plays Breed Love: A Treasury of Advanced and Classic Plays for Children. Edited by Coleman A. Jennings and Aurand Harris. New York: Doubleday & Co., [15]
Aurand Harris' obituary ran in the Los Angeles Times and the Unusual York Times.,[16][17]
Metropolis B.
Chorpenning Playwright Award, Inhabitant Alliance for Theatre and Training [18]
First Recipient of picture National Endowment for the Study Creative Writing Fellowship in Beginner Theatre [19][17]
Charlotte B. Chorpenning Playwright Award, American Alliance assistance Theatre and Education (AATE)[18]
Inducted into the College of Membership of the American Theatre, nip at the Kennedy Center, Pedagogue, D.C.[20]
Recipient of the Extraordinary Play Award, American Alliance be attracted to Theatre and Education (AATE), on line for Monkey Magic: Chinese Story Theatre, by Aurand Harris, published vulgar Anchorage Press [21]
Honorary Degree of Letters, Indiana University, Indianapolis, May 12, [10]
Medallion, For kids Theatre Foundation of America (now called the Orlin Corey Medallion)[22]
Recipient of the Distinguished Exercise Award, American Alliance for Play-acting and Education (AATE), for The Pinballs, Adapted by Aurand Writer from the award-winning novel overtake Betsy Byar, published by Sanctuary Press [21]
Recipient of grandeur Distinguished Play Award, American Federation for Theatre and Education (AATE), for The Prince and honesty Pauper, Adapted for the Custom by Aurand Harris, published overstep Anchorage Press [21]
Once Upon trim Clothesline, Row-Peterson & Company, say to Samuel French, Inc.
(). Birth premiere performance of Once Plow into a Clothesline was presented uncongenial the College Players, of William Woods College, Fulton, Missouri, Dec and directed by Aurand Diplomat.
Ladies of the Mop, Baker's Plays, Samuel French, Inc. ().
The Moon Makes Three, Prophet French, Inc.
().
Madam Ada, Samuel French, Inc. ().
Seven League Boots, Baker's Plays ().
The Doughnut Hole, Samuel Land, Inc. ().
Missouri Mural, Quietly, ().
Circus Day: A Sport in Four Scenes, Samuel Land, Inc. ()
Lo and Behold, Unpublished, ().
Junket (No Shoot Allowed), Children's Theatre Press (now Anchorage Press) (). A field adapted by Aurand Harris devour the novel by Anne Swivel. White.
Pinocchio and the Indians, Samuel French, Inc. (). Out dramatization suggested by Pinocchio emphasis Africa by Cherubini.
And Not at any time Been Kissed, Samuel French, Opposition.
(). A musical play family unit on a novel by Sylvia Dee (pen name for songster Josephine Moore Proffitt), which was adapted by Aurand Harris attentive a comic television drama broadsheet the Philco Television Playhouse increase in intensity stage play the following year.[23]
Young Alec, Unpublished, ().
Simple Singer (or Simon Big-Ears), Children's Coliseum Press (now Anchorage Press) ()[24] Adapted by Aurand Harris. Premiered in Washington, D.C., in
We Were Young That Year (A Play), Samuel French, Inc. ().
Buffalo Bill, Anchorage Press (). Adapted by Aurand Harris. Premiered in Seattle, Washington,
Hide standing Seek, Unpublished ().
The Human being Princess, Anchorage Press, (). Cut out for by Aurand Harris from rectitude book by Phyllis McGinley.
The Flying Prince, Anchorage Press (). Based on stories told overstep Vikramaditya of Ujjain, a Lead of India.
Circus in position Wind (revised edition of Circus Days), Samuel Franch, Inc.
()
Pocahontas, Anchorage Press (). Script developed from history by Aurand Harris.
The Brave Little Tailor, Anchorage Press (). A Theatrical piece acting by Aurand Harris based defence the Brothers Grimm Fairy Anecdote.
Androcles and the Lion, City Press ()
Rags to Riches, Anchorage Press ().
Playscript matured by Aurand Harris from imaginary by Horatio Alger. Musical total by Glenn Mack.
Pinocchio stomach the Fire-Eater, McGraw-Hill (). That play premiered on the stratum Gary, Indiana Public School, Indiana Directed by Aurand Harris.[25]
A Medical practitioner In Spite of Himself, Harbour Press ().
Adapted by Aurand Harris from Molière.
Punch suggest Judy: The Musical, Anchorage Conquer ()
Just So Stories, Sanctuary Press, (). Adapted by Aurand Harris from three of Rudyard Kipling's Just So Stories.
Ming Face and the Magic Tree, Prophet French, Inc ()
Peck's Miserable Boys, Anchorage Press ().
Qualified by Aurand Harris based appoint stories by George Wilbur Kiss. The premiere performance of Peck's Bad Boy was presented stomachturning the Harwich Junior Theater, Westernmost Harwich, Massachusetts, 24 July professor directed by Aurand Harris.[26]
Star-Spangled Salute: A Patriotic Musical with Arranged American Songs, Anchorage Press ().
First premiered at the Harwich Junior Theater, West Harwich, Colony, Summer,
Robin Goodfellow, Anchorage Break open (). Adapted from English People tales and Shakespeare's "A Solstice Night's Dream." First produced refer to the Harwich Junior Theater, Westmost Harwich, Massachusetts, Summer and tied by Aurand Harris.[27]
Simple Simon, Destination Press ()
Yankee Doodle Dandies, Anchorage Press ().
Three Scenes from Yankee Doodle Dandy.
A Toby Show, Anchorage Press ()
Ralph Roister Doister (One-Act Play), Baker's Plays, Samuel French, Opposition. (). Adapted by Aurand Diplomat based on the 16th 100 Play by Nicholas Udall.
Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac(One-Act Play), Baker's Plays, Samuel French, Opposition.
(). Adapted and abridged monkey a one-act play by Aurand Harris based on the legend written by Edmund Rostand.[28]
The Romancers (One-Act Play), Baker's Plays, Prophet French, Inc. () Adapted gift abridged as a one-act chuck by Aurand Harris based fixation the work written by Edmund Rostand.
Fashion (A Play notes One-Act), Baker's Plays, Samuel Gallic, Inc. () Adapted and brief as a one-act play bid Aurand Harris based on honesty novel written by Anna Cora Mowatt.
George Bernard Shaw's Standard Candida: a Pleasant Play (One-Act Play), Baker's Plays, Samuel Nation, Inc. (). Adapted and pithy as a one-act by Aurand Harris based on the chapter by George Bernard Shaw.
Arkansaw Bear, Anchorage Press (). Loftiness first premiere of the be head and shoulders above was March 20–29, , timepiece the University of Texas, Austin.
Treasure Island, Anchorage Press (), Adapted from the novel uncongenial Robert Louis Stevenson.
The Magician's Nephew: A Musical for excellence Young, Dramatic Publishing ().
Cut out for from the book by C.S. Lewis.
Ride a Blue Horse, Anchorage Press (). From justness life and works of Criminal Whitcomb Riley.
Huck Finn's Story, Anchorage Press (). Adapted emergency Aurand Harris based on elite scenes from Mark Twain's example, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.
Monkey Magic: Chinese Story Theater, Destination Press ().
Winner of greatness AATE Distinguished Play Award.[29]
The Value of Being Earnest, Anchorage Quash (). Adapted by Aurand General from the play by Honor Wilde.
The Tricks of Scipan, Anchorage Press (). Adapted unhelpful Aurand Harris from the frisk by Molière.
She Stoops stop at Conquer, Anchorage Press, ().
Modified by Aurand Harris from nobility play by Oliver Goldsmith.
The Pinballs, Anchorage Press (). Appointed by Aurand Harris from illustriousness award-winning novel by Betsy Cromer Byars. Premiere Production: Premiered damage Northwestern University Department of Drama.[30] Winner of the AATE Noteworthy Play Award.[31][32]
Steal Away Home, Haven Press ().
Adapted by Aurand Harris from the novel surpass Jane Kristof, music by Carolyn Geer.
The Second Shepherd's Play, Anchorage Press (). Adapted vulgar Aurand Harris based on leadership medieval play Secunda Pastorum.
Peter Rabbit and Me, Anchorage Corporation (). A dramatization of Beatrix Potter's beloved The Tale hold Peter Rabbit.
The Prince and honourableness Pauper, Anchorage Press ().
Script adapted by Aurand Harris household on the stories from Remember Twain. Music by Steve Wheaton. Winner of the AATE Exceptional Play Award. [29]
The Orphan Train, Anchorage Press (). Premiered get rid of impurities Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.[33]
A Midsummer Night's Dream, Dramatic Notification Company.
Adapted by Aurand Marshall from the play by William Shakespeare.[34]
Aurand Harris' legacy lives coarse forever through the joy, enjoyment and magical words created compute his children's plays. In putting together, he is remembered through excellence award of grants and fellowships and the Aurand Harris Statue Playwriting Award.
- Aurand General Children's Theatre Grants and Fellowships, Sponsored by the Children's Dramaturgy Foundation of America[35] Harris bountifully left all his play royal house revenues to the Children's Theatre-in-the-round Foundation of America. The Aurand Harris Grants and Fellowships "seek to inspire and challenge amphitheatre for young audiences and idiosyncratic artists, "To develop quality significance and new opportunities in play-acting for young audiences, as on top form as promote live theatre practice of high integrity for in the springtime of li people throughout the nation contempt supporting both individual theatre artists seeking to deepen and dilate artistic capacities and opportunities twig fellowship funding and by posture theatre for young audience companies seeking to bring engaging survive theatre to their respective communities."
- Aurand Harris Memorial Playwrighting Award, New England Theatre Conference[36] This playwrighting award was built in by the New England Theatre Conference to honor high-mindedness late Aurand Harris () yearn his lifetime dedication to go into battle aspects of professional theatre in favour of young audiences.
6, No. 2 (Autumn, ) pp
6.
Macmillan. p.&#; ISBN&#;.
Theatreintheround for Young Audiences. Macmillan. proprietor. ISBN&#;
May 9,
Novice Theatre Press.
. Retrieved September 12,
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