Robert Oram

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Nov. 8, 1928-Nov. 25, 2008

CAMARILLO, Calif. - Robert E. Oram, member of the charter faculty of Southwest Minnesota State University, passed away Nov. 25, 2008, at his home in Camarillo, Calif. Oram founded the theatre program at Southwest, serving as department chair from the school's opening in September 1967 until summer of 1974.

Oram was born Nov. 8, 1928, in Ballston Spa, N.Y., and grew up in the city of Manhattan. He received his bachelor's degree from Manhattan College; his master's from Catholic University in Washington, D.C.; and his doctorate from Wayne State University in Detroit. While at Catholic University, he toured Europe and the U.S. with Catholic Players; at Wayne State, he performed with the Hillberry Classic Theatre.

The first stage production at Southwest was the musical "West Side Story," which Oram directed. Under the umbrella of the Cultural Opportunities Resource Center (CORC), a federal program, he directed "The Glass Menagerie" with artist-in-residence Julie Haydon. The production toured numerous small towns in the Marshall area. He also established Heartland Players, featuring professional actors on campus, along with guest director Douglas Campbell. Oram's theatre department received the Governor's Award for Excellence.

Oram left Marshall in 1974 to pursue a theatre career in Los Angeles, where he performed on stage, TV, and in films. He founded a theatre company in the San Fernando Valley, called The Folding Chair Theatre.

In 1980 Oram returned to Southwest State as guest director of the play "Hedda Gabbler." At that time he also directed a production for the Cabaret Players of Redwood Falls.

Oram is survived by his wife of 49 years, JoAnne, who worked five years as writer/editor for the Marshall Independent; sons Robb, Steve, and Jim and their families, including three grandchildren.