T. Earl Pardoe
Encyclopedia
Thomas Earl Pardoe was the first head of the Brigham Young University (BYU) drama program. One of the main theaters in the Harris Fine Arts Center at BYU is named for him and his wife, Kathryn Bassett Pardoe, who was also an influential drama teacher at BYU.
Pardoes was born and raised in Ogden, Utah
. Pardoe was involved in high school and community dramatic productions, but when he went to Stanford University
, it was to study engineering. However, Pardoe's true interest was drama, so he returned to Ogden and worked as a stage hand and back-up actor for the Ogden Opera Company. He then went to study at the Leland Powers School
in Boston. While there he also served as an LDS
missionary, in part because his uncle, Ben E. Rich, was the mission president. While in Boston, Pardoe also performed with the Boston Grand Opera and was a correspondent for the Deseret News. Pasrdoe graduated from Leland Powers in 1913.
Pardoe then returned to Ogden where he met Kathryn Bassett when he played the lead-male role to her female lead in a comedic-opera. They were married on June 3, 1914 with the ceremony performed by David O. McKay
. Pardoe then became a drama and speech teacher at Weber Academy, the predecessor of Weber State University
.
In 1916, Weber taught at BYU's summer session. In 1919, Pardoe came to BYU working as a Tennis coach and also teach drama and public speaking. He also earned a bachelors degree from BYU in 1925. In 1927, Pardoe left BYU to teach at the Major School of Theatre in Los Angeles.
Pardoe later earned a Master's degree
in psychology
from the University of Southern California
. During this time, he also served as director of the Long Beach Little Theatre. Pardoe then earned a Ph.D. in speech from Louisiana State University
. He then returned to BYU where he served as head of the speech department. From 1952 until his death in 1971, Pardoe primarily worked with the BYU Alumni Association, serving as BYU Historian. Up until this point Pardoe had more or less been the only head of BYU's Drama department. He seems to have taught drama classes even after his appointment as historian, which in theory had meant he had retired.
Pardoe was president of the Utah Speech Association, the Rocky Mountain Forensic League, and the Western Speech Association at various times during his career. Pardoe wrote multiple speech and drama textbooks, as well as The Sons of Brigham, which is a history of the early presidents, professors, and graduates of BYU.
He also later served as a member of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association Board of the LDS Church. In 1954-1955, Pardoe served a second mission in New England.
Pardoes was born and raised in Ogden, Utah
Ogden, Utah
Ogden is a city in Weber County, Utah, United States. Ogden serves as the county seat of Weber County. The population was 82,825 according to the 2010 Census. The city served as a major railway hub through much of its history, and still handles a great deal of freight rail traffic which makes it a...
. Pardoe was involved in high school and community dramatic productions, but when he went to Stanford University
Stanford University
The Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San...
, it was to study engineering. However, Pardoe's true interest was drama, so he returned to Ogden and worked as a stage hand and back-up actor for the Ogden Opera Company. He then went to study at the Leland Powers School
Leland Powers School
The Leland Powers School, also known as the Leland Powers School of Communication, Leland Powers School of Radio, Theatre, and Television, Leland Powers Theatre School, the Leland Powers School of Expression, Leland Powers School of the Spoken Word, and originally called the Leland Powers School of...
in Boston. While there he also served as an LDS
LDS
LDS may refer to:* LDS Church, abbreviation for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints * LDS Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah...
missionary, in part because his uncle, Ben E. Rich, was the mission president. While in Boston, Pardoe also performed with the Boston Grand Opera and was a correspondent for the Deseret News. Pasrdoe graduated from Leland Powers in 1913.
Pardoe then returned to Ogden where he met Kathryn Bassett when he played the lead-male role to her female lead in a comedic-opera. They were married on June 3, 1914 with the ceremony performed by David O. McKay
David O. McKay
David Oman McKay was the ninth president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , serving from 1951 until his death. Ordained an apostle and member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in 1906, McKay was a general authority for nearly 64 years, longer than anyone else in LDS Church...
. Pardoe then became a drama and speech teacher at Weber Academy, the predecessor of Weber State University
Weber State University
Weber State University is a public university located in the city of Ogden in Weber County, Utah, USA. It was founded in 1889 and is a coeducational, publicly supported university offering professional, liberal arts and technical certificates, as well as associate, bachelor's and master's degrees...
.
In 1916, Weber taught at BYU's summer session. In 1919, Pardoe came to BYU working as a Tennis coach and also teach drama and public speaking. He also earned a bachelors degree from BYU in 1925. In 1927, Pardoe left BYU to teach at the Major School of Theatre in Los Angeles.
Pardoe later earned a Master's degree
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
in psychology
Psychology
Psychology is the study of the mind and behavior. Its immediate goal is to understand individuals and groups by both establishing general principles and researching specific cases. For many, the ultimate goal of psychology is to benefit society...
from the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
. During this time, he also served as director of the Long Beach Little Theatre. Pardoe then earned a Ph.D. in speech from Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, most often referred to as Louisiana State University, or LSU, is a public coeducational university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The University was founded in 1853 in what is now known as Pineville, Louisiana, under the name...
. He then returned to BYU where he served as head of the speech department. From 1952 until his death in 1971, Pardoe primarily worked with the BYU Alumni Association, serving as BYU Historian. Up until this point Pardoe had more or less been the only head of BYU's Drama department. He seems to have taught drama classes even after his appointment as historian, which in theory had meant he had retired.
Pardoe was president of the Utah Speech Association, the Rocky Mountain Forensic League, and the Western Speech Association at various times during his career. Pardoe wrote multiple speech and drama textbooks, as well as The Sons of Brigham, which is a history of the early presidents, professors, and graduates of BYU.
He also later served as a member of the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Association Board of the LDS Church. In 1954-1955, Pardoe served a second mission in New England.
Sources
- [Kathryn B. Pardoe, Family History of T. Earl and Kathryn B. Pardoe, located in the L. Tom Perry Special Collections Library, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. as quoted, summarized and possibly augmented in BYU College of Fine Arts and Communications Wiki.
- Ernest L. WilkinsonErnest L. WilkinsonErnest Leroy Wilkinson was an American academic administrator and prominent figure in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints . He was president of Brigham Young University from 1951 to 1971 and also oversaw the entire LDS Church Educational System. Prior to this, Wilkinson was a lawyer...
, ed., Brigham Young University: The First 100 Years (Provo: BYU Press, 1975) Vol. 2, p. 285-286. - Register Biography of the Pardoe papers
- standard L. Tom Perry library catalogue entry on T. Earl Pardoe Papers
- Abe Books listing of various books by Pardoe