On Nov. 15, Claire Trevor Professor of drama emeritus Robert Cohen (pictured above in 2007), one of UC Irvine’s founding faculty, died peacefully at age 86. Yesterday, Chancellor Gillman shared a statement celebrating Cohen’s life and career. After joining UC Irvine in 1965, Cohen “played a critical role in developing the Department of Drama, serving as its founding chair for 25 years, creating the M.F.A. in Drama program and establishing the Students’ Repertory Theatre, the first of its kind in the United States,” Gillman noted. “Under his stewardship, UC Irvine’s drama program became celebrated for training pre-professional actors.” Cohen’s texts on acting – Acting One, Acting Two, Acting in Shakespeare, Shakespeare on Theatre, and Acting Power – are still widely used around the world, added Gillman, who also listed Cohen’s many university awards and accomplishments over the years, including receiving the UCI Medal – the university’s highest honor – in 1993. “We extend our condolences to Lorna Cohen, Robert Cohen’s wife and partner of five decades, his children and family, friends, colleagues, and former students during this difficult time. A celebration of his life and career will be held later this academic year.”
