Chicago Shakespeare Theater Bookstall Named in
Honor of Ohio University Professor
Contact: Samuel Crowl, (740) 593-2779
Editors: A photo of Sam Crowl is available at: www.ohiou.edu/news/pix/crowl_sam.jpg
ATHENS, Ohio (August 1, 2000) -- The bookstall at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater has been named
in honor of Samuel Crowl, noted Shakespearean scholar and trustee professor of
English Literature at Ohio University. The bookstall, which was dedicated during a
recent ceremony at the Navy Pier theater, recognizes Crowl's contributions to the study
of Shakespeare's works, especially on stage and in film.
Crowl's book, "Shakespeare Observed: Studies in Performance on Stage and
Screen," published by Ohio University Press in 1992, is in its fourth printing. He currently
is working on a new book on the recent explosion of Shakespeare films, "Shakespeare
at the Cineplex."
In addition to teaching classes on Shakespeare's works in the performing arts,
Crowl has published numerous articles in such journals as "Shakespeare Quarterly,"
"Shakespeare Survey" and "Shakespeare Bulletin," delivered papers at scholarly
conferences worldwide and lectured at several colleges and universities.
"I'm delighted and thrilled by this honor," Crowl said. " Because of my background
in Shakespeare's work, as presented in film and on stage, the bookstall is an especially
appropriate way to commemorate that interest. The bookstall is quite handsome. While
attending a play at the theater, I was pleased to notice that patrons of the play were
actively browsing through its books."
Stuart and Anne Scott of Chicago made a major gift to the new $24 million theater
and requested that the bookstall be named in Crowl's honor. Stuart Scott and Crowl
were roommates at Hamilton College.
Crowl noted that, with such recent films as the Academy Award-winning
"Shakespeare in Love," "Hamlet," "A Midsummer Night's Dream" and "Titus" that the
past decade has been a rich one in the century-long association of Shakespeare and
film.
"It was a big decade for Shakespeare," Crowl said. "Throughout the 20th century,
Shakespeare's work has been used as material for films. The 1990s proved to
Hollywood that Shakespeare could be a money-maker."
Shakespeare's works are made for performance, Crowl said
"Shakespeare has become the great iconic figure of the past and is a figure that's
known worldwide," Crowl said. "Actors love Shakespeare because of the language. It's
rich, yet it comes off the tongue so easily. It's the ultimate score for actors to practice
their craft on."
His recent performance popularity is more than a stage that Shakespeare is going
through. In his age, he was a pop star in his own right.
"His works have all the elements that hold a mass audience: murder, sex, violence
and comedy," Crowl noted. "His writings were meant for the stage, and they come alive
in the theater."
Crowl has been honored five times for distinguished teaching at Ohio University
and was named an honorary alumnus in 1981. He is a fellow of the Ping Institute for the
Teaching of the Humanities, served as dean of University College from 1981 until 1992,
received a Program Excellence Award from the Ohio Board of Regents in 1990 and held
an observership with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1980. His wife, Susan, also is
a professor of English at Ohio University.
