Thomas Haas

(Dec. 7, 1937-Feb. 21, 1991). Thomas Haas was artistic director of the Indiana Repertory Theatre (IRT). He graduated from Montclair State College and subsequently received a master’s degree from Cornell University and a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin. He taught drama at Emerson College in Boston and headed the drama and acting programs at Yale School of Drama, where his students included Meryl Streep, Sigourney Weaver, and Michael Gross. He was also associate director of Yale Repertory Theatre.

Haas joined IRT in 1980, succeeding Ed Stern. He came to Indianapolis from Play Makers Repertory Theatre in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, which he founded. He also was a cofounder of the Weathervane Theatre in Whitfield, New Hampshire, and served as its artistic director for more than 25 years.

During his tenure at IRT, Haas created the Upperstage for experimental works and the Cabaret Stage for musical revues. He directed numerous productions on the Mainstage, including the self-written Operetta, My Dear Watson, a musical thriller in which Sherlock Holmes meets characters out of Gilbert and Sullivan operettas.

Haas died of a pulmonary embolism following a jogging accident near his home.

Help improve this entry

Contribute information, offer corrections, suggest images.

You can also recommend new entries related to this topic.