NCC: Theater Department files

North Central College has held theater productions involving students since the early 20th century. The earliest theatre program in the Archives collection dates to 1920. Although productions may have begun earlier under Professor Guy E. Oliver, who started in 1916. Oliver oversaw theater productions in the Speech department and productions put on by student clubs, such as the Arts-Dramatic Club, the Golden Triangle Players, and class productions. He retired in 1952. In 1950 theater productions on campus were consolidated under the Theater Guild. Donald T. Shanower came to North Central in 1955 as assistant professor of Speech and assumed the role of director of the Theater Guild. In the 1950s participation in the Theater Guild, WONC broadcasting or debate team was required for graduation with a Speech major. Productions and courses in theater would continue to occur under the Speech department, officially designated as “Speech Communications/Theater” in 1976. In 2003, Communications and Theater split, being listed as separate academic departments in the course catalog.

Sources Consulted: Roberts Clarence. "North Central College: A Century of Liberal Education." Naperville, 1960. North Central College Catalogs, North Central College Archives. “North Central College Chronicle,” North Central College Archives.