Roy Bowen Theatre
Located in the Drake Performance and Event Center
Standard Seating Chart | Technical Details

Theatre Style: Thrust Stage, Stadium Seating
Normal Occupancy: 250 Persons

The Roy Bowen Theatre was dedicated on April 18, 1999, in honor of Roy Bowen, teacher, director, scholar, administrator, and friend. Originally known as Stadium II Theatre, it has served as one of the two main stages for The Ohio State University Department of Theatre since 1972. Stadium II was named after the former Stadium Theatre; an arena stage located at Gate 10 of the Ohio Stadium, and one of Americ'as first university-community summer theatres. Roy Bowen was among the directors when it opened in 1950. He directed the first original playpresented in the Stadium II Theatre (Burton Russell's Low on High), and his production of Lawrence and Lee's Jabberwock opened the Thurber Theatre. Roy Bowen directed over 150 plays for The Ohio State University, Players Theatre, and other performing groups during an active career spanning more than 60 years.

Emeritus professor Roy Bowen and his family visit the Roy Bowen Theatre in the summer of 2001. L to R: Daniel Kallman, Sarah Sanders, Roy Bowen, his grandson Bowen, and behind, is Roy’s daughter Anne Paulle.