Ohio University Professor Inducted into Theater Hall of Fame
News Directors, Editors: A photograph of Robert Winters is available at: www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/WINTERS_BOB.JPG
ATHENS, Ohio (October 4, 2000) -- An Ohio University theater professor is the only living honoree among the first round of people recognized by the newly established Ohio Community Theater Association Hall of Fame. Robert L. Winters, professor of theater and interim director of the School of Film, was recognized for his outstanding contributions to theater arts throughout the state and for his support of the Ohio Community Theater Association.
"Robert Winters has touched so many lives in theater and helped develop performers who now act throughout Ohio," said Eleanor Smith, president of the Ohio Community Theater Association. Winters has served as a panelist for the association, elicited student involvement and reviewed community theater plans to identify areas for improvement.
A performer and director as well as an educator, Winters has brought expert advice, talent and compassion to the stage. Ohio Valley Summer Theater President Dru Riley Evarts said Winters is central to the success of Ohio Valley Summer Theater, Athens' community-based theater that operates in cooperation with the university. The theater nominated Winters for the award.
"It's not just a 'here's a barn, let's put on a play' sort of impromptu theater," Evarts said. "Bob always insists on quality productions with educational value, both in training mature people for work on or off stage and in bringing along the young."
Evarts said Winters' consistent support has been the most important factor in the success of Ohio Valley Summer Theater.
"He provides wise counsel on play selection but does not exert dictatorial power," she said. "And each summer, he directs our primary play, which usually is a musical."
Winters joined the School of Theater faculty in 1962, primarily as a designer and classroom teacher, and has ascended to the rank of full professor. He served as director of the School of Theater for 10 years, has directed musical theater, opera and light opera and has been a scenic and lighting designer as well as a performance photographer.
On stage, he has been a dancer, singer and actor, bringing to the Ohio Valley Summer Theater audience such roles as Fagin in "Oliver!" and Tevye in "Fiddler on the Roof." Last spring, he appeared as Oscar in a University Theater play, "Tammicanfly," written by student Scott Marshall Taylor.
Winters was the founder, artistic director and manager of the Appalachian Green Parks Project, which received the Ohio Legislative Citation and became an official Ohio Bicentennial Touring Group. It also was an Eastern USA and National Bicentennial Touring Group, playing for four years, including the Bicentennial in 1976. He received the Ohio Governor's Award for Community Action for this project, parts of which were incorporated into the Peabody Award-winning ABC-TV show "Make a Wish."
In 1986-88, Winters was director, designer, artistic director and consultant for the outdoor drama "Eden on the River," presented on Blennerhassett Island in Parkersburg, W.Va.
Winters has 18 years' experience in computer-based teaching, administration, theatrical production and performance photography. He was recognized by the Ohioana Library Association in 1977 for his inspiring teaching qualities, made an honorary alumnus of Ohio University in 1982, awarded a citation from the Ohio Theatre Alliance in 1987 for his outstanding contributions to theater and education and nominated in 1999 for the Council for Advancement and Support of Education's U.S. Professor of the Year Award for undergraduate teaching.
Winters' induction into the Ohio Community Theater Association Hall of Fame took place at the organization's annual meeting. Two others were inducted posthumously. The association plans to induct three new honorees each year.
