Oral history interview with Dr. Zack L. York, November 10, 1993
Oral history interview with Dr. Zack L. York conducted by Robert C. Myers on November 10, 1993. He describes his childhood and early education, undergradute speech and art classes at WMU, performing in plays with the Western Normal Players, student housing and various jobs to pay through college during the Depression, his first teaching job at Hastings High School, and the challenges of finding a job in theatre. In 1940, Laura V. Shaw hired York to join what was then the Department of Speech. In 1942, York left for World War II military service. After the war, he returned to WMU and spent the rest of his teaching career at the University, except for one academic year during which he taught stage design at Michigan State University. He describes memorable theatre students at WMU, changes in student character after World War II and in the 60s, producing African-American theatrical productions, and changes to the WMU theatre program over the years. Zack York retired in 1978 and passed away in 2008.