Dr. Richard Davis Theatre Collection, 1954-2011

Dr. Richard Davis came to Western Oregon University in 1964 after the completion of his master’s in English literature from the University of Washington. He received his B.A. at Central Washington University in 1963 and later returned to the University of Washington to receive his doctorate in drama arts in 1976. In his nearly four decades at WOU, Davis brought recognition to the university through his work both in the classroom and on the stage. He taught college classes for 38 years and taught many of the theater teachers in the Oregon public school system.

Dr. Davis directed and costumed more than 100 main stage productions in Western Oregon University’s Rice Auditorium. Davis’ productions at WOU were often regional winners and toured competitive venues. He was noted throughout his career for his experimental productions and costume designs.

Of his many productions, those that stand out most for Davis are the more experimental ones. “I attempt to create something other than what you would normally expect when you come to the theater.” Productions by Davis were often unique due to his creativity and his drive to do things that are different and unusual. “You never know what the audience will take away from the production. As a director I can guide them and, in a sense, the audience creates their own production. Audiences are individuals and they will take what they want from a production.” Costume design was perhaps the area of the theater in which Davis excelled, as he found ways to express himself through creations, which contribute to the uniqueness and the success of his productions. Working in the theater also gave him an opportunity to express himself and he felt that “directing is a way of influencing people. A director should be out to save the world because productions can affect the audience in moral ways and choices that contribute to life.”

While Davis held goals for each of his individual students, there was one attribute he wanted all of them to develop. “Students need to be individuals and be on their own in the theater. They should not become dependent on other people. Students have a responsibility to themselves to be creative on their own and to see that as a challenge. If they have that attitude, they will be more successful in whatever they choose to do in life.”

Dr. Davis and his productions are listed in the national Who’s Who in Entertainment and in Who’s Who in the West. Dr. Davis has received numerous awards for his work in the arts, including an award of excellence from the American College Theatre Association and WOU’s Faculty Honors Award for Scholarship in 2002. He was chairman of the Creative Arts Division from 1989 to 1995 and was the head of the Theatre/Dance Department. Dr. Davis retired from the university in 2003.

Text adapted from 2002 Commencement Program