Background
Schnitzer, Robert C. was born on September 8, 1906 in New York City. Son of Louis and Clara (diBilliani) Schnitzer.
Schnitzer, Robert C. was born on September 8, 1906 in New York City. Son of Louis and Clara (diBilliani) Schnitzer.
Born in New York City, he attended Horace Mann School and Columbia College, later served on the faculties of Vassar, Smith, Columbia, and the University of Michigan, where he chaired the theater department.
State director Delaware, assistant deputy national director, Federal Theatre Project, 1936-1939;
executive director, Civic Theatre, Kalamazoo, Michigan, 1939-1940;
faculty, Vassar College, 1941-1942;
faculty, Smith College, 1942-1943;
faculty, Columbia University School Dramatic Arts, 1948-1954. Consultant Martha Graham School Dance, Rollins School Theatre, Randall School Theatre, Dramatic Workshop of New School, Denver Red Rocks Theatre, Utah Centennial, 1945-1949. Veterans counselor National Theater Conference, 1945-1946.
General manager American National Theatre and Academy Experimental Theatre, 1946-1947, Cheryl Crawford Prodns., 1952-1953, Gilbert Miller Prodns., 1953-1954, American National Theatre and Academy International Cultural Exch., 1954-1960. General manager overseas tour Theatre Guild Am.Repertory Company, 1960-1961. Executive director Professional Theatre Program University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, professor theatre arts, 1961-1973, professor emeritus and executive dir.emeritus, since 1974.
Co-founder, executive director University Resident Theatre Association, 1969-1974, consultant, since 1974. Delegate United States National Conference on United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 1953-1957, 1stInter-American Conference Exch. Persons, 1958; visiting theatre expert German Fgn.Office Cultural Exch.
Program, 1965; consultant to president U. Bridgeport for College Fine Arts, 1975-1987. Distinguished visiting professor U. Miami, Florida, 1980,U. Bridgeport, Connecticut, 1981. Co-founder Westport Arts Center, 1984, interim president, 1985, vice president, 1986, Chairman of the Board, 1987-1989, chairman emeritus, since 1989.
Member Fulbright selection committee theatre arts, 1955-1959, Michigan Council Arts, 1961-1973. Honorary board directors Westport/Weston Arts Council, 1969-1984. Member Weston Town Common for Arts, since 1997.
Member Weston (Connecticut) Commission Arts, since 1995. Served with American Red Cross, 1943-1945, China, Burma, India Theatre of Operations. Member College Fellows of America Theatre (life), Actors Equity Association, American National Theatre and Academy, Association Theatrical Press Assemblies of God Theological Seminary and Mgrs., National Council Arts and Government, National Theatre Conference, Theatre Library.
Association, United States Institute Theatre Technicians, The Players Club (board directors since 1997), The Century Club.
Married Marcella Abels Cisney, June 7, 1953.