Frank John Ford (18 March 1935 – 27 September 2018) was an Australian freelance writer, director, dramaturg and drama lecturer.

Biography

He studied acting, drama theory, dramaturgy, directing and cinema in his degrees: M.F.A. (Theatre Arts) from

Columbia University Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Churc ...

, New York (Awarded the Richard Rodgers Scholarship); Certificate in Arts Administration,

Harvard Business School Harvard Business School (HBS) is the graduate school, graduate business school of Harvard University, a Private university, private Ivy League research university. Located in Allston, Massachusetts, HBS owns Harvard Business Publishing, which p ...

; A.D.B (Associate of the Drama Board) London and B.A.

University of Sydney The University of Sydney (USYD) is a public university, public research university in Sydney, Australia. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in both Australia and Oceania. One of Australia's six sandstone universities, it was one of the ...

. He was an author and director of opera, music theatre, cabaret, experimental theatre, modern and classic drama and multi-media productions. His plays, adaptations and cabarets have been performed in Australia and overseas. He was former Head of the Department of Drama at the

University of Adelaide The University of Adelaide is a public university, public research university based in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third-oldest university in Australia. Its main campus in the Adelaide city centre includes many Sa ...

and held various teaching, directing and arts administration positions here and overseas. He was Founding Chair of the art festival Adelaide Fringe Festival in 1975, and its first Honorary Life Member. He initiated the

Adelaide Cabaret Festival The Adelaide Cabaret Festival is an annual arts festival featuring cabaret held in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. It has been held in June each year since 2001, with the exception of 2020 owing to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia ...

and was Chair of the Advisory Committee. He served on many arts boards such as Country Arts SA,

Adelaide Festival The Adelaide Festival of Arts, also known as the Adelaide Festival, an arts festival, takes place in the South Australian capital of Adelaide in March each year. Started in 1960, it is a major celebration of the arts and a significant cultural ...

and as Chair of the

Australian Dance Theatre Australian Dance Theatre (ADT), known as Meryl Tankard Australian Dance Theatre from 1993 to 1999, is a contemporary dance company based in Adelaide, South Australia, established in 1965 by Elizabeth Cameron Dalman . The ADT was the first moder ...

and was in later life Chair of the Independent Arts Foundation. He died on 27 September 2018 at the age of 83.

Honours and legacy

*Honorary Life Member of

Adelaide Fringe Adelaide Fringe, formerly Adelaide Fringe Festival, is Australia’s biggest arts festival and is the world's second-largest annual arts festival (after the Edinburgh Festival Fringe), held in the South Australian capital of Adelaide. Between ...

. *In 1999, he was awarded Member of the

Order of Australia The Order of Australia is an Australian honours and awards system, Australian honour that recognises Australian citizens and other persons for outstanding achievement and service. It was established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Monarch ...

for service to the development of the performing arts in South Australia as a director, playwright, administrator and educator. In 2001 he received the Centenary Medal for services to the community, particularly through the performing arts. *In 2006 he received the inaugural Premier’s "Life Time Achievement" Ruby Award for the Arts. *In 2015 was an Australia Day, South Australian Senior of the Year Finalist and

City of Adelaide The City of Adelaide, also known as the Corporation of the City of Adelaide and Adelaide City Council, is a Local government in Australia, local government area in the metropolitan area of greater Adelaide, South Australia. It is legally defi ...

Citizen of the Year. *In 2017 he was appointed Honorary Membership, Actors Equity division of the

Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) is the Australian trade union and professional organisation which covers the media, entertainment, sports and arts industries. Its Musicians section consists of the SOMA (Symphony Orchestra Music ...

. *In 2018 the South Australian Ruby Awards named an award after him, the Frank Ford Memorial Young Achiever Award

References

1935 births 2018 deaths Australian theatre directors Academic staff of the University of Adelaide Australian LGBTQ dramatists and playwrights Members of the Order of Australia University of Sydney alumni Columbia University School of the Arts alumni Harvard Business School alumni Australian male dramatists and playwrights

Biography

Honours and legacy

References

Further reading