Gus Edwards, Professor of Theater and Films, retired from ASU in 2010. Gus first came to ASU as Playwright in Residence in 1984-86 and returned as an Associate Professor in 1988.

In the interview Gus talks about growing up in St.…

Gus Edwards, Professor of Theater and Films, retired from ASU in 2010. Gus first came to ASU as Playwright in Residence in 1984-86 and returned as an Associate Professor in 1988.

In the interview Gus talks about growing up in St. Thomas and moving to New York City in 1959. Gus goes on to discuss:
• Living and Working in New York
• Becoming a Playwright culminating with presentation of “The Offering” performed by the Negro Ensemble Company.
• His Academic Career teaching theater at ASU
• His thought about writing
• His experiences teaching film, the creation of a Film School, and Running Wild Films
• Challenges, the need for University’s to promote experimental work, and the need to follow your passion

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    Title
    • Edwards, Gus
    Contributors
    Date Created
    2019-11-14
    Subjects
    Resource Type
  • Moving Image
    • Note
    • Interview Crew Interviewer – Bonnie Eckard Camera – John McIntosh Audio – Roger Carter Director – Linda Van Scoy Interview Crew – Dave Scheatzle Video Editor – Barry McNeill
    Table Of Contents

  • New York Years: 1. Growing up in St. Thomas @ 0:01:28 2. Living in New York @ 0:02:57 a. Working: Off-Off-Broadway actor @ 0:03:02 b. Writing: Initial Efforts @ 0:04:16 c. Watching / Learning: Films @ 0:04:25 Becoming a Playwright @ 0:04:42 3. Voracious Reader @ 0:04:53 4. William Somerset Maugham @ 0:06:11 5. Writing Plays – off-off-Broadway to Negro Ensemble Company @ 0:08:34 6. Buddy Bolden – Father of Jazz @ 0:12:48 Academic Career @ 0:17:13 7. Working as Playwright in Residence @ 0:17:23 8. Teaching Theater at ASU @ 0:19:04 9. Mentoring Students @ 0:21:59 Thoughts on Writing @ 0:24:17 10. Using Classroom Experiences @ 0:24:22 11. A Good Playwright Does Not Pontificate @ 0:25:23 12. Adding Depth and Breadth to African American Roles @ 0:27:23 Working with Film @ 0:30:45 13. Moving from Theater to Film @ 0:30:45 14. Birth of ASU Film School @ 0:34:41 15. Travis Mills & Running Wild Films @ 0:38:59 This and That @ 0:45:00 16. Challenge: Push back From Native Americans @ 0:45:09 17. Experimental Work – Breaking the Bowl @ 0:47:48 18. Importance of Literature @ 0:49:49 19. Follow Your Passion @ 0:51:29 Credits @ 0:56:12

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    Edwards. Gus, Interview. 14 Nov. 2019. ASURA Video History Project. © Arizona Board of Regents. https://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.55326

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