Robert Merritt

Robert Gray Merritt (1936 – June 5, 1999) was a Nova Scotia playwright, film critic, and educator.

For Robert Merritt, Jr., a conspirator in a Philadelphia arson and murder, see Kaboni Savage.
Robert Merritt
Born
Robert Gray Merritt

1936 (1936)
Yonkers, NY
DiedJune 5, 1999(1999-06-05) (aged 62–63)
Known forNamesake of Robert Merritt Awards

Personal life

Merritt was born in Yonkers, NY, the son of John Gray and Mildred (Rust) Merritt.

Merritt died in 1999 of complications arising from congestive heart failure and cancer, five years after taking early retirement.[1]

Career

Merritt was a teacher in Houston and Oklahoma in the 1960s. From the 1970s through the 1990s, hewas a professor of theatre, specializing in playwriting and film, at Dalhousie University's Department of Theatre. He was well known for challenging the conventions of mainstream theatre and encouraging his many students to find their own artistic voices.

Merritt was also a film critic for CBC Radio's morning program, Information Morning. At times he roused strong listener reaction with his attacks on mainstream movies and his promotion of independent film. Describing Warren Beatty and Dustin Hoffman's Ishtar, Merritt said that it was a pity that the film was not named "Tishtar." because then "if you spelled it backwards, it would almost write its own review."

Legacy

The annual Robert Merritt Awards, which recognize outstanding achievement in professional theatre in Nova Scotia, are named in his honour. The Merritts celebrate accomplishment in acting, directing, playwrighting, design, technical theatre, and production.[2]

References
  1. "Biography of Robert Merritt". Theatre Nova Scotia. Retrieved 2020-08-06.
  2. Leung, Parie (January 3, 2011). "The Robert Merritt Theatre Awards (Merritt Awards)". The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 6, 2020.
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