Delbert Unruh

Del changed scene design in the United States. He did it partially by his designs but mostly by his writing, because not everyone was fortunate to see his wonderful work. Scene design in the U.S. was dominated by the ideas of New Stage Craft, a late 19th century rethinking of the role of light. Adolph Appia, Gordon Craig, Robert Edmond Jones, Jo Mielziner and three generations of designers learned to light mostly realistic settings with an approach that was intended to take theatre beyond...

I went down a different path in my theatre career than Design, but Del Unruh and his work amazed me when I first encountered it as an undergraduate at the University of Oklahoma in the 1970's, and worked with him as a lighting crew member. A decade later, I again was privileged to see his beautiful work while I was in my doctoral studies at K.U. He was an impressive artist and teacher, as was obvious by his many accomplishments and awards. I'm honored to have known him, albeit briefly. He was...

Del was a brilliant and kind man of the theatre whose dedication and contributions to KU theatre were essential in creating the department we treasure today. He will be truly missed, but his spirit will remain.