Background
Elson, Charles was born on September 5, 1909 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Jacob and Rebecca (Brodsky) Elson.
Elson, Charles was born on September 5, 1909 in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Son of Jacob and Rebecca (Brodsky) Elson.
Student, Hull House Little Theatre, Chicago, 1914-1932; student, University Illinois, 1929-1930; Bachelor of Philosophy, University of Chicago, 1932; Master of Fine Arts in Theatre, Yale University, 1935.
Instructor, art director, U. Iowa, 1935-1936;
associate professor theatre, art director university theatre, U. Oklahoma, 1937-1943;
civilian design engineer training aids bureau, United States Naval Reserve, 1943-1945;
professor, director theatre workshop, Hunter College CUNY, 1948-1969;
professor emeritus, Hunter College CUNY, since 1974;
established Master of Arts program in theatre, Hunter College CUNY
also Graduate Center Doctor of Philosophy program, Hunter College CUNY, 1965. Visiting lecturer stage design department drama Yale University, 1950-1951, visiting critic stage lighting School Drama Yale University, 1964-1967, visiting professor design, 1967-1969;Fulbright lecturer, consultant design of 12 state and municipal theatres, India, 1959-1960, organizer exhibit World Theatre Architecture, New Delhi, 1960. Consultant Theatre Architecture, India, 1970.
Member design competitionInternat. Theatre Institute United States of America, contributor to Design journal, 1974. Western theatre delegate 3d Asian Symposium Arts, Seoul, Korea, 1974.
Unites states department State specialist S.E. Asia, 1974. Art director, stage lighting director federal theatre project Works Projects Administration, Los Angeles, 1936-1937. Art dir.Ogunquit (Maine) Summer Theatre, 1939-1941, 45.
Member Fulbright National Selection Theatre Committee, 1957. Member exhibit committee Yale Drama School 50th Anniversary.
President North Castle Friends of Library., 1961-1963, 65-67, board directors, 1956-1972. Trustee, past president of the board of trustees, North Castle Library., 1972-1989. President North Castle Citizens Council, 1957-1959.
Member theatre arts committee Young Artists Abroad Program, Institute International Education, 1962. Director Middle Patent Rural Cemetery Association, since 1965. Designer theatre Byram Hills High School, 1965.
Board directors North Castle History Society, 1972-1976. Vice chairman North Castle Bicentennial Commission, 1973-1976. Chairman, producer North Castle July 4th celebration, 1975-1976.
Former member landmark and beautifications committees North Castle. Chairman theatre workshop for ex-convicts The Family, New York City, 1974-1981. Fellow International Institute Arts and Letters.
Member United Scenic Artists (chairman examination committee 1953-1958), Century Association.
Married Diana Rivers, August 12, 1938 (deceased November 1996). 1 child, Alexandra.