George Cram Cook | |
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| Born | George Cram Cook October 7, 1873 Davenport, Iowa, United States |
| Died | January 11, 1924 (aged 50) |
| Other names | Jig Cook |
| Alma mater | University of Iowa, Harvard |
| Occupation | Theatre Producer |
| Known for | Provincetown Players |
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| Children | Nilla Cram Cook Harl Cook |
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George Cram Cook or Jig Cook (October 7, 1873 – January 14, 1924) was an American theatre producer, director, playwright, novelist, poet, and university professor. Believing it was his personal mission to inspire others, Cook led the founding of the Provincetown Players on Cape Cod in 1915; their "creative collective"[1] was considered the first modern American theatre company.[2] During his seven-year tenure with the group, Cook oversaw the production of nearly one-hundred new plays by fifty American playwrights.[3] He is particularly remembered for producing the first plays of Eugene O'Neill, along with those of Cook's wife Susan Glaspell, and several other noted writers.
While teaching English literature at the University of Iowa from 1896 to 1899, Cook also taught what is thought to be the first creative writing course. Titled "Verse-Making," the course was continued by Cook's colleagues at the university after he left. It was not until the 1950s that the Iowa Writers Workshop was founded.
- ^ Sarlos, Robert K. (1984). "The Provincetown Players' Genesis or Non-Commercial Theatre on Commercial Streets". The Journal of American Culture. 7 (3): 65–70. doi:10.1111/j.1542-734X.1984.0703_65.x.
- ^ Ben-Zvi, Linda. "Preface." Preface. Susan Glaspell: Her Life and Times. Oxford University Press, 2005. Ix.
- ^ "History of the Provincetown Playhouse". www.provincetownplayhouse.com.