Robert Cohen, the founding chair of the Department of Drama at UC Irvine passes

Robert Cohen (1938-2024)

Claire Trevor Professor of Drama Emeritus Robert Cohen passed away on Nov. 15, 2024, at 86. 

A towering figure in the theater world, Cohen was a founding faculty of the Department of Drama at UC Irvine. Cohen joined UCI in 1965 after earning his undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and his D.F.A. from Yale University. Instrumental in shaping the drama department, Cohen served as its founding chair for 25 years and established the M.F.A. in Drama program. As a transformative leader in theater education, direction and scholarship, he created programs that set national benchmarks, including the Students’ Repertory Theatre, the first of its kind in the United States. Under his leadership, UC Irvine’s drama program emerged as a preeminent training ground for actors, directors, and scholars, solidifying its reputation as a leader in theater education.

Image: Rehearsal of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot in 1970.

Cohen’s influence extended beyond UC Irvine. A prolific director, playwright, translator, critic and educator, he inspired generations of students, actors and scholars. His innovative "GOTE" acting system — focusing on Goal, Other, Tactics, and Expectation — revolutionized acting pedagogy and reached a global audience through his celebrated books Acting One, Acting Power, and Acting in Shakespeare. His scholarly contributions included translations of classics such as The Misanthrope and Carmen, two anthologies of globally recognized plays, nine original plays, over 400 theater reviews, 24 books on theater and collaboration, a memoir and 35 journal essays published in distinguished academic journals.

Image: Robert Cohen teaching.

In 2008, Cohen and his wife established the Robert and Lorna Cohen Endowment for Excellence in Drama, which continues to bring world-class speakers and artists to the department. Over his illustrious career, Cohen earned numerous accolades, including UCI’s highest honor, the UCI Medal (1993), and the UCI Distinguished Faculty Award for Research (2015). In 2011, the Claire Trevor School of the Arts renamed its Studio Theatre the Robert Cohen Theatre, and in 2016, Cohen and his wife were honored with a Claire Trevor Commemorative Star for their exceptional contributions to the arts.

Even in retirement, Cohen’s love for theater and his dedication to fostering creativity never wavered. Known for his boundless energy and humor, he found joy in new roles, such as ushering at Laguna Presbyterian Church, where he cheerfully greeted congregants with “Enjoy the show!”

Robert Cohen’s legacy is one of transformation. He believed that a director’s role was to “transform words on paper into actors on a stage.” Throughout his life, Cohen transformed not only the field of theater but also the lives of those who had the privilege of learning from and collaborating with him. His profound impact on the dramatic arts will continue to inspire for generations to come.