Glenn Hughes (1894-1964) arrived at the University of Washington as a teaching fellow in September 1919, later to became director of the University of Washington's drama program in 1930. He continued in that position until 1961. His innovative curriculum coupled with the University's state of the art facilities made the drama program one of most famous and profitable in the United States. He was known internationally as the pioneer of "theater in the round" and experiments at a friend's penthouse led to the creation of the Penthouse Theatre, the first modern arena theater in the world. As a writer he published over 60 plays, in addition to poetry, theater history, and technique.

This portrait of Hughes is from collection of photographs from McBride and Anderson photographers. Born in 1863, Ella McBride began working in the photography field in 1909 when she managed the Edward Curtis Studio. She opened her own studio in 1917 with Wayne Albee. Albee moved to San Diego in 1925, and McBride continued to operate a studio in various Seattle locations. In 1932 she partnered with Richard Anderson; they continued to work together until she retired in 1954 due to her failing eyesight. She died in 1965 at the age of 102. Taken around the time the McBride-Anderson partnership began; it is not known which partner was the photographer of this photo.

Handwritten on sleeve: Glenn Hughes.
Photographer's Reference Number: 6682A