10:04 a.m., Oct. 26, 2009----Richard P. Brown, professor in the Department of Theatre at the University of Delaware, died June 24, 2009.

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Dr. Brown, 72, was born in New Orleans on Aug. 25, 1936. He earned his bachelor's degree from Tulane University, his master's degree from Indiana University and his Ph.D. from Tulane University. He taught in theatre departments at Louisiana State University in New Orleans (LSUNO), Wayne State University, Rutgers University and the State University of New York at New Paltz; served as the director of theatre department at the University of California, Riverside; and spent the remaining years in his teaching career at the University of Delaware.

Dr. Brown had several books published, including The Actor's Kit, Actor Training and John Howard Lawson as an Activist Playwright: 1923-1937, as well as many short stories published in various publications.

Not only was Dr. Brown a passionate teacher, inspiring and encouraging his students to push their boundaries and talents, he was also a talented actor and director. He directed many productions in the course of his career, including a play done in the 1960s while at LSUNO, in which, against the larger sentiments of the time, he cast an African-American student in a production of an Ugo Betti play. (LSUNO closed the theatre rather than let it be performed.)

He was a strong believer in equal rights, across all color, gender and sexual orientation lines and was active in civil liberties and volunteered his time and support to many local and national nonprofits.

Dr. Brown is survived by his daughter, Allison P. Brown, and a grandson.

Memorial contributions may be made to Amnesty International or New Orleans Habitat for Humanity.