March, Fred

Biography

Fred March (1939-2012) taught at Texas State for forty years (1967-1999; modified retirement until 2007). After serving in the U.S. Army and earning his Master of Arts from Texas Tech University, he was hired by Southwest Texas State College (now Texas State) as Technical Director; later he was named Director of Theatre and then Chairman of the Department of Theatre and Dance.

Throughout his career, he was active in professional organizations including the Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) where he served on the board of directors for many years and as President from 1995-1997. He received numerous awards, including Outstanding Scenic Design at the American College Theatre Festival (twice), TETA’s Founders’ Award in 1983, and TETA’s College/University Educator of the Year award in 1989. Upon his retirement, he was named Professor Emeritus.

LBJ100 Oral History Project

Fred March talks about arriving at SWT (now Texas State) in 1967 when the student body was about 4500 and the theatre was on the second floor of Old Main. He discusses a bit about the history of the Ebony Players, the Raisin in the Sun production of 1972, and meeting Lyndon Johnson as they were preparing for the performance at the ranch. He also talks about some of the notable actors that came out of the Theatre Department. He also talks a little bit about seeing Johnson on campus occasionally, as he was known to visit now and then.