The Department of Theatre at Ohio State University was established in 1951, and as of 2017, remains an active body on Ohio State’s campus. The Department educates and trains theatre artists, scholars, and teachers; conducts research and creative projects that contribute to the enrichment of the university and field of theatre at large; and offers the community opportunities for theatre education and production.

Marcel Marceau (1923-2007) was a French actor and mime, active from 1946 until his death in 2007. He studied at Charles Dullin’s School of Dramatic Art in the Sarah Bernhardt theatre in Paris. Marceau’s career began as part of Jean Louis Barrault’s company in France, but he performed across the world spreading “L’art du silence” (the art of silence). Marceau created his “Bip the Clown” character in 1947, and founded the first pantomime company in 1949, Compagnie de mime Marcel Marceau. He held an honorary doctorate from the Ohio State University, and visited the campus in 1995, 1998 and 2001 to hold workshops, seminars and residency programs.