Bio

Morris Burns, Emeritus Professor of Theatre, was a member of the faculty from 1970 through 2004.  He taught courses in Theatre History, Directing I and II, Acting I and II, Acting Comedy, Introduction to Theatre and Performing Arts Around the World.  He directed plays that covered the expanse of theatre history from "The Oresteia" to "The Shape of Things." On three occasions he was a visiting professor on the University of Pittsburgh’s Semester At Sea Program, a study abroad program that sails around the world and is now run by the University of Virginia.  He was also a visiting professor at the University of Warwick in Coventry, England.  On two occasions he served as the Interim Chair of Music, Theatre and Dance.  He also served as the Director of the Theatre Program’s Outdoor Café Theatre for a number of years.  He is the author of "The Dramatic Criticism of Alexander Woollcott" (Scarecrow Press, 1980) and co-author with Porter Woods of "Teach as Actor" (Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1992), a book which explores techniques which actors use which teachers can utilize in the classroom.  He continues to offer workshops based on this book.

Morris is the recipient of numerous teaching awards including a 1996 “Best Teacher of the Year Award” by the Colorado State University Alumni Association and an “Educator of the Year Award” by the Alliance for Colorado Theatre in 2005.  He continues to occasionally direct and teach for the University Theatre and directs for the Bas Bleu Theatre in Ft. Collins.