George (Doc) Fosgate was an early faculty member in Speech and Theatre at UMN Morris and played a vital role in shaping theatre on campus. Besides teaching courses in theatre and stagecraft, he also wrote, directed and acted. During his more than thirty years at Morris, he stood out as a staunch advocate of UMN Morris athletics, played a leading role in the design of the HFA Building, and helped launch a successful summer theatre program. After his retirement from Morris, he began a successful second career as a stage, film and television actor while also working as a commercial talent and senior lifestyle model.
Chronology
born in Oakland, California on October 26
graduated from Saint Mary's College High School of Berkeley, California
joined the United States Army
married Patricia Burton on March 29
earned his B.A. in Speech Arts from Chico State College in California
became assistant professor of Speech and Theatre Arts At UMN Morris
inducted into Cougar Hall of Fame
earned his PhD in Theatre from the University of Utah
promoted from assistant professor to associate professor of Speech and Theatre Arts at UMN Morris
published the children’s play “The Reluctant Dragon”
promoted to full professor of Speech and Theatre Arts at UMN Morris
retired from UMN Morris
Personal Life
George Fosgate was born on October 26, 1934 in Oakland, California and spent his childhood in the San Francisco Bay Area.[1] In 1952 he graduated from Saint Mary's College High School of Berkeley, California.[2] After graduation, he went on to Saint Mary’s College in Moraga, California but left after one year to join the United States Army. He spent his two year service at Fort Ord, California, Sasebo, Japan, and South Korea. In 1955, he finished his service with the rank of Sergeant.[3]
In 1956 he returned to his education and enrolled at Chico State College, California. In his time at the college he joined multiple student organizations including Phi Kappa Tau, Blue Key, and Alpha Psi Omega.[4] He also served on the Interfraternity Council which worked to govern the four fraternities on the campus.[5] On March 29, 1958 he married Patricia Burton.[6] In 1959 Fosgate graduated from Chico State College with his undergraduate degree in Speech Arts.[7] That same year he enrolled in the University of Utah and began working towards his doctorate degree in Theatre. During this time, besides relying on the G.I. Bill, he supported himself through teaching assistantships in Theatre and Speech.[8]
In 1963 he accepted a position at the University of Minnesota, Morris and left Utah. He joined Ray Lammers and became the second member of the Speech discipline, soon to become Speech and Theatre Arts.[9] Fosgate completed his work for the Ph.D. in Theatre from the University of Utah in 1971[10] and the next year was promoted to associate professor.[11]
After retiring from teaching in 1995, Fosgate moved to Portland, Oregon and launched a second career as an actor. His wife of 61 years, Patricia, died in 2019. Together they raised two children.[12]
Research
George Fosgate was an especially ambitious contributor to Speech and Theatre at UMN Morris, developing courses in advanced and intermediate acting, fundamentals of speech, and speech writing. He also taught courses on the technical side of theatre, including production and introduction to the theatre arts.[13]
In 1977 Fosgate published a children's play entitled "The Reluctant Dragon." The story follows children in a village as a famous dragon slayer is called into town to fight the dragon. The play had previously been performed by the Morris Theatre Discipline along with other original works by Fosgate such as “The Twin Brothers” in 1972.[14]
Fosgate assembled an impressive record of directing approximately 70 productions, both plays and musicals, throughout his career at Morris. He was also active off-campus and directed a variety of local and regional theatre groups. This includes a production of a musical version of “The Reluctant Dragon” with the Troupe Theatre of St. Cloud, MN in 1974.[15]
Community Involvement
George Fosgate viewed the UMN Morris Theatre Discipline and its various programs as a benefit to both the wider west central community and to the college. The discipline made it a goal to provide theatre experiences otherwise unavailable to local residents and to present plays and musicals beyond the capability of high school or small-town theatre.[16] By at least 1970 the Speech and Theatre discipline was entertaining area elementary school students with an annual children's production, thus allowing many young people in the community their first live theater experience and perhaps their first real and accessible exposure to the arts.[17] In 1986, Fosgate directed a production of the musical "Scrooge" which included Morris townspeople and children in its cast; this production ran annually in December from 1986-1989.
Campus Contributions
Fosgate was heavily involved in multiple areas of the UMN Morris Campus. In his career, he directed around 70 productions and helped create and lead the summer theatre program.[18] This program, supported by Continuing Education and Regional Programs, as well as the Division of Humanities and Theatre Discipline, began in 1981.[19] As the program grew it became a part of the regular UMN Morris Summer session and offered students the opportunity to perform and produce shows outside the academic year.[20] Fosgate's contributions to campus life also include the founding of Meiningens, the campus student theatre organization, and the creation of a theater scholarship in his name.[21]
Fosgate also played a role in creating a physical space for the Theatre Arts on campus. He served on the Humanities Fine Arts Building (HFA) design committee.[22] Fosgate, along with other Speech and Theater Arts faculty members, began planning for modern theatre space in the mid 1960s.[23] Fosgate hoped that by creating a new space for the arts, the campus could perform more creative productions and allow theatre arts to grow.[24] By the 1970s the HFA became West Central Minnesota's hub for speech, theater and the performing arts.[25]
Fosgate worked hard to bring a theatre experience to all UMN Morris students. In 1974 he established the annual New York trip, a program which lasted fifteen years and which allowed students to attend Broadway shows, visit backstage on various sets, and explore New York.[26]
George Fosgate was also an influential faculty member in Cougar Athletics. From 1969 to 1993 he served as the faculty representative for Cougar Athletics and was honored by being inducted to the Cougar Hall of Fame with the 1970 baseball and football teams.[27] Throughout his career he served as chairman on the Intercollegiate Athletics Committee. In this role he worked to develop and interpret policy, enforce regulations, and coordinate athletics with the academic program.[28] Part of this also involved reviewing the UMM Philosophy of Athletics and responding to student comments and concerns.[29]
After UMN Morris
After retiring to Portland, Oregon in 1995, Fosgate continued his acting career as a stage and screen actor and commercial talent.[30] He has performed in many plays, films, and television shows, including over 250 performances of Tony n' Tina's Wedding in Portland, Oregon from 1997-1999, The Trial of Ebenezer Scrooge,[31] Tuesdays with Morrie,[32] Strange But True, and an appearance in the show Leverage.[33] Fosgate has been honored as a lifetime member of SAG-AFTRA (Screen Actors Guild and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists). He retired from performing in 2016.[34] In December of 2020, UMN Morris honored Fosgate's many contributions to the campus community by renaming the Black Box Theatre after him.[35]
Footnotes
“George Fosgate Biography,” IMDb.
George Fosgate, "The French Existentialist Playwrights And The Theatre Of The Absurd,” The University of Utah, 1971.
George Fosgate, "The French Existentialist Playwrights And The Theatre Of The Absurd,” The University of Utah, 1971.
Chico State College, The Normal Record, 1959.
Chico State College, The Normal Record, 1958.
“George Fosgate Biography,” IMDb.
Chico State College, The Normal Record, 1959.
George Fosgate, "The French Existentialist Playwrights And The Theatre Of The Absurd,” The University of Utah, 1971.
Jenna Ray, “UMN Morris Names George C. Fosgate Black Box Theatre,” December 4, 2020.
George Fosgate, "The French Existentialist Playwrights And The Theatre Of The Absurd,” The University of Utah, 1971.
“Nine Promoted,” Vanguard (Morris, MN), April 17, 1972.
“Patricia Fosgate Obituary,” Las Vegas Review-Journal, June 30, 2019.
Class schedules 1964-1966, University of Minnesota Morris.
“Fosgate Publishes His Play ‘The Reluctant Dragon’,” Morris Weekly (Morris, MN), October 18, 1977.
George Fosgate, “Directing List,” Codger Talent.
Kelly Rossow, “UMM Theatre is here for all Students,” Morris Weekly (Morris, MN), October 6, 1982.
Kelly Rossow, “UMM Theatre is here for all Students,” Morris Weekly.
Jenna Ray, “UMN Morris Names George C. Fosgate Black Box Theatre.”
“Summer theatre: a dream becomes reality,” Morris Weekly (Morris, MN), June 3, 1981.
“UMM Summer Theatre Plans Announced,” Morris Weekly (Morris, MN), April 9, 1986.
Jenna Ray, “UMN Morris Names George C. Fosgate Black Box Theatre”.
Jenna Ray, “UMN Morris Names George C. Fosgate Black Box Theatre”.
Dave Schiller, “HFA Center. Inspiring and Award Winning,” Campus Community Writer (Morris, MN), November 17, 1975.
Bruce Young, “The Big Hole,” Vanguard (Morris, MN), February 7, 1972.
Dave Schiller, “HFA Center. Inspiring and Award Winning,” Campus Community Writer.
“UMM Trips,” Vanguard (Morris, MN) February 4, 1974.
Jenna Ray, “UMN Morris Names George C. Fosgate Black Box Theatre”.
“The I.A.C. on Athletics,” Vanguard (Morris, MN) April 19, 1971.
“UMM Philosophy of Athletics,” Vanguard (Morris, MN) January 14, 1971.
“George Fosgate Biography,” IMDb.
Briggs Library and Grants Development Office, "George Fosgate" (2012), Celebration of Scholarly Accomplishments 2012.
Briggs Library and Grants Development Office, "George Fosgate" (2013). Celebration of Scholarly Accomplishments 2013.
University Relations, "Fosgate to appear in "Leverage" episode" (Morris, MN) 2010.
“Playwrights, Composers, Lyricists and Authors: George C. Fosgate,” Pioneer Drama Service.
Jenna Ray, “UMN Morris Names George C. Fosgate Black Box Theatre.”[35][34][33][32][31][30][29][28][27][26][25][24][23][22][21][20][19][18][17][16][15][14][13][12][11][10][9][8][7][6][5][4][3][2][1]