Winifred Ward

Winifred Louise Ward (October 29, 1884 – August 16, 1975) was a professor at Northwestern University most notable for having done significant work in the field of children's theatre and pioneering the idea of creative dramatics.

Early life and education Ward was born October 29, 1884, in Eldora, Iowa, the youngest daughter of Frances Allena Dimmick and George W. Ward, a prominent Eldora lawyer. While growing up, she spent many summers in Washington, D.C., where she was afforded the opportunity to watch theatrical performances that influenced her throughout her career. She received her bachelor's degree in 1905 from Northwestern University, under the guidance of Robert McClean Cumnock. She then returned to her hometown where she directed plays until becoming a teacher of reading, drama and physical education in the public schools of Adrian, Michigan from 1908 to 1916. In 1918, after receiving her Ph.D. in Education from the University of Chicago, Ward accepted an appointment to the faculty of Northwestern’s School of Oratory (Communications). She remained at Northwestern for the rest of her career. When Ward first started working with Creative Drama, she used the phrase "Creative Dramatics" which is now less often used.

Ward is often dubbed the mother of creative drama; the “systematic approach to dramatic activity and learning.”

Ward retired as an assistant professor from Northwestern in 1950. For the next twenty years, she wrote, taught drama workshops around the country, and participated in numerous conferences and conventions related to her field. She died in Evanston, Illinois, on August 16, 1975.

Ward's philosophy Rooted in the progressive education movement of the 1930s, Ward sought to educate the whole child, with the notion that, “the child could achieve an understanding of self and society.” An honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Adelphi College in 1953 The Zeta Phi Eta (Drama) Society “Zeta of the Year” Award, 1961 The Medallion of Honor, the highest national tribute made in educational theater, from Theta Alpha Phi, 1964 She was designated a Fellow of the AATE, the organization's highest honor, in 1967 She was awarded the first ever Orlin Corey Medallion by the Children's Theatre Foundation of America in 1992

In her honor, several awards are given out by the AATE: Zeta Phi Eta-Winifred Ward Outstanding New Children's Theatre Company Award, which honors a theatre company serving young audiences and which has attained a high level of artistic production and possesses sound management practices while having stimulated community interest in its endeavors. Winifred Ward Scholar, which honors a graduate-level scholar of demonstrated intellectual and artistic ability in child drama/theatre.