Susquehanna University - 1960 to 1969

Susquehanna University held its 14th Annual Shakesperean Festival in the spring of 1963. The Susquehanna Players, a group formed under the direction of Professor Axel Kleinsorg, presented the festival. Shown are several of the actors preparing for their roles in Twelfth Night by growing beards. The group is sporting a look quite similar to the popular beatniks.

In January of 1969, under the guidance of Professor Robert Schanke, "The Susquehanna Players", performed the protest play "Viet Rock" in the Benjamin Apple Theater in Bogar Hall. The bold language and sexual references of the play made it a "happening" event on campus. Although University President Gustave Weber didn't object to the play being presented on campus, he did object to the request to have Susquehanna University sponsor a tour of the production. Students responsed to this by holding a demonstration, as shown in this protest announcement. Later, permission was given to a touring production of "Viet Rock", but not as an official function of Susquehanna University.

In 1947, the Theater Guild became the Susquehanna Players. Throughout the year, students presented plays in Bogar Hall's "Little Theater." This image shows scenes from the plays done in the 1960 academic year. The student shown having makeup applied in the bottom left hand corner is Jim Campbell. He would return to Susquehanna University as Director of Alumni Relations in 1986.

The Vietnam War began to escalate in the early 1960s and was a matter of vehement disagreement across the country. The protest play, "Viet Rock", was written by Megan Terry and performed in New York City's Open House Theater. By the fall of 1968, the play had made its way to Susquehanna University's campus and was presented by "The Susquehanna Players" under the direction of Robert A. Schanke. The play relied heavily on improvisation in order to establish mood and prompt audience reaction.