Crowley, Edward J. (Edward Joseph), 1906-1984
Dates
- Existence: 1906-1984
Biography
Edward Joseph Crowley was born in Hancock, Michigan on May 4, 1906, the son of Michael Crowley and Tressa Clifford. He was lecturer and teacher of dramatics at the University of Grand Rapids (1935-1938), and at the Hockaday School in Dallas (1938-1939).
Prior to 1949, he served for ten years as managing director of various little theatres including the Dallas Little Theatre; Civic Players of Grand Rapids; Charleston, West Virginia Little Theatre; and Little Theatre of Jacksonville, Florida. While director of the Jacksonville Little Theatre, Crowley served as President of Council of Southeastern Little Theatres for nine states.
He received a B.S. (1948) in theatre from Northwestern University School of Speech and earned a master's degree in theatre one year later (1949), also from Northwestern.
Crowley joined the faculty of Northwestern University as an Instructor in Dramatic Production in September 1949. In 1951, he began teaching Contemporary Theatre, and initiated the concept of organizing theatre parties for groups of students who received tickets at a reduced group rate. Crowley continued to organize these theatre parties for nine years, providing students with rare opportunities for dialogue with theatre professionals. Crowley, himself, attended over 3,000 plays.
Crowley served as stage director for the University Theatre and directed more than twenty opera for the School of Music. He directed the Glass Menagerie in 1952 for the silver anniversary of the University Theatre. He served as sketch director on the Waa-Mu show for five years and was also dialogue coach for Waa-Mu productions from 1942-1959. He suffered a stroke in 1959 or 1960 and left the faculty at that time.
Crowley's research interests centered on the origin and history of Oriental Theatre.
His major publication was a special article on acting for the India Theatre Arts called “The Actor are Come Hither, My Lord.” The annual magazine, published in New Delhi, India, appeared for the first time in 1958.
Crowley married Harriett Jane Allyn on June 18, 1939. He died on September 9, 1984.