Hansen, Harold I., 1914-1992
Dates
- Existence: 1914 - 1992
Biographical History
Harold I. Hansen (1914-1992) was an educator at Brigham Young University.
Harold I. Hansen was born March 10, 1914 in Logan Utah. He acted as director of the Hill Cumorah Pageant for 40 years. He worked at Brigham Young University as head of the Department for Speech and Drama, appointed in 1952. Hansen died unexpectedly on June 13, 1992.
Hansen served a mission in the Eastern States in 1937. There he met and eventually married Betty Kotter in 1940. He graduated from Utah State University with a Bachelors of Science in dramatic arts. He attended graduate school and received his master's degree in Iowa. Afterwards, he worked in dramatics at Utah State University. In 1952, he came to Brigham Young University, appointed by President Ernest Wilkinson as head of the Department of Speech and Drama. Over the course of his entire career, he is estimated to have directed over 250 productions, several of which were simultaneously appearing on Broadway and other professional venues. He is know for his meticulous work and ability to push his productions forward using new technology and inventive ideas.
Found in 14 Collections and/or Records:
Wallace McBride Barrus photographs of Harold I. Hansen productions
Collection contains seven black and white framed prints by Wallace Barrus of productions at Brigham Young University directed by Harold I. Hansen.
Brigham Young University theatre productions directed by Harold I. Hansen
Includes a scrapbook of programs and photographs for productions dated 1952-1964. The table of contents to the volume lists plays as late as 1966. Collection also contains a list of Hansen-directed productions, 1952-1956, which includes several names, presumably of cast members. A second list identifies productions dated 1969-1981, with specific performance dates; directors, including Hansen and others; and scene designers.
Department of Speech and Dramatic Arts records
Includes the files and records of the department chair and other faculty.
Harold I. Hansen papers
Contains a photocopy of newspaper clippings and reports of Brigham Young University's presentation of "Blithe Spirit," with joint sponsorship of the USO and the American Educational Theatre. Also includes clippings of a seven week tour to Japan and Korea, 1959-1960 and several awards and recognitions presented to Hansen between 1965 and 1989. There are also several awards and recognitions given to Hansen in the collection.
Harold I. Hansen papers
Harold I. Hansen photographs
Collection contains 53 negative, two slides, and 540 prints (color or black and white) that document the life and career of Harold I. Hansen, particularly his direction of the Hill Cumorah Pageant.
Harold I. Hansen scrapbooks of the Hill Cumorah Pageant
Collection includes three large scrapbooks filled with newspaper clippings regarding the Hill Cumorah Pageant. The collection dates from 1971 to 1973.
Harold I. Hansen collection on Brigham Young University, 1968-1974
Contains theatrical and miscellaneous materials, correspondence, scripts from various university productions, and material relating to Theta Alpha Phi fraternity.
Harold I. Hansen papers on Hill Cumorah Pageant, 1937-1988
Contains pageant material (scripts, news clippings, and correspondence), technical information, publicity, financial papers, yearbook, applications, reports, drafts, miscellaneous papers, and material relating to "Cumorah's Lonely Hill" (correspondence, maps, and clippings).
Harold I. Hansen papers on Ledges Playhouse, 1962-1966
Contains financial and legal papers, correspondence, news clippings, programs, royalty information, and theatrical material related to the operation of the theater.