Brian K. Hansen Papers

Collection

Identifier: RG 30-075

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Brian K. Hansen Papers consist of materials related to the formation of the Theatre-Arts Department and major at Oberlin College from 1956 to 1973. The collection primarily consists of documentation regarding the creation and development of both the Theatre-Arts Department as well as the Theatre-Arts Major. Included in the collection are a number of proposals and correspondence among a number of Oberlin College faculty, students and staff, including Brian K. Hansen, David Merrill, Betty Lind, Clyde Blakeley, Jeff Bricmont, Martha Fishcher, Colette Hill, Marvin Jonason, Deborah Lubar, Wes Sanders, and Brenda Way. The collection consists of one series.

Dates

Creation: 1956-1973, undated
Other: Date acquired: 06/21/1973

Creator

Hansen, Brian K. (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

Permission of the Archivist.

Biographical Sketch

Brian K. Hansen was born on February 5, 1936 in Pasadena, California to Winston Henning (1910-1992) and Eileen Mary Deyo Hansen (1914-1995). She had two siblings: Karen L (1938) and Stephen Louis (1944-2009). After graduating from Santa Barbara High School, Hansen attended the University of California at Los Angeles and graduated in 1960. In 1961 he received an M.A. degree from Cornell University, and went on to earn his Ph.D. from the University of Minnesota. In 1966 he was appointed a McPherson Fellow at the University of Minnesota. Prior to his time at Oberlin College, Hansen taught at San Diego State College, University of California, Santa Barbara, and Washington State University. In September of 1970 he was appointed to the position of Associate Professor of Theatre Arts at Oberlin College, where he taught for three years. During his time at Oberlin the Theatre-Arts Program underwent a number of changes in which Hansen, as Chairperson, played a key role. In 1973 he went on to become an associate professor and chairperson of theater at the University of Delaware. In 1973 Hansen’s wife, Patricia Eber Hansen (1936-1973), died of cancer leaving behind her husband and their two sons, Kevin (b. 1960) and Kaj (b. 1961).

Note written by Caitlin Condell.