The Brian G. Morgan ’67 ’70 Endowed Theatre Award is awarded annually by the Villanova Theatre department to an outstanding member of the Master of Arts in Theatre program. The recipient, selected by Theatre Department faculty and staff, is identified by his or her passion for theatre, and by an ability to bring something more than talent and diligence to the work of theatre. It is that “something more” that carries on the legacy of Brian G. Morgan in the Villanova community and beyond. Please see our list of past recipients.
If you would like to contribute to the Brian G. Morgan ’67 ’70 Fund, please contact Janet Duffy, coordinator of Gift & Pledge Processing at 610-519-4573 or at janet.duffy@villanova.edu. To make a gift to Villanova online, please see the online gift form.
About Brian G. Morgan
“He lived his life 150%. He never wanted anything short of that.”
This description by the brother of Brian G. Morgan, actor, artist, and inspirational human being, attests to the zeal with which Brian attacked theatre in his roles from Shakespearean plays to summer stock and murder mystery productions. He combined his love of acting and keen sense of wit with his talent for writing and directing; but he devoted equal passion to his love for teaching.
Mr. Morgan graduated from Villanova in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, after which he began studies for a Master’s in Political Science. But his love of the theatre drew him back to the Arts department, where he finished in 1970 with his Master of Arts in Theatre. Mr. Morgan’s prolific appearances on stages included those at Villanova University, Missouri Repertory Theatre in Kansas City, the Palace Hotel in Philadelphia, Bermuda’s Belmont Hotel, the Wilma Theater in Philadelphia, People’s Light and Theatre Company in Malvern, PA, the Philadelphia Theater Company, and the Philadelphia New Play Festival.
He played a role in the CBS mini-series George Washington and also spent the major part of a year portraying Benjamin Franklin in the performance of Four Little Pages. The play was a history of the Constitution, performed several times a day outside Independence Hall and before the US Congress at the celebration of the Bicentennial of the Constitution in 1987. However, Morgan’s calling as a charismatic and powerful teacher enabled him to encourage a love of the theatre in his students at West Catholic High School, Radnor High School (where he established the drama program), Pennsylvania State University, Walnut Street Theatre School, Cabrini College, Temple University, and the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
