The UIndy Department of Theatre is dedicating its 2009-2010 season to the late Richard Williams (pictured), who chaired the department from 1967 to 1994 and directed more than 120 productions, often drawing critical praise.

Dr. Williams died Oct 27 after an illness. He is survived by his wife, Muriel Williams; daughter, Kathryn Ransburg; and sons Richard Williams and Douglas Williams.

At the University of Indianapolis, still known as Indiana Central when he arrived, Williams initiated the annual dinner theatre production, still a reliable sellout, and led performance tours to both coasts and the United Kingdom. Under his leadership, the department presented the world premieres of You Can’t Go Home Again, Airwaves and One Voice; the Indianapolis premiere of The Grapes of Wrath; and the city’s first non-professional productions of 1776 and Children of a Lesser God.

“Dr. Williams should be most proud of the hundreds of students who loved him and participated in his productions and whose lives were enriched by his presence,” said his successor, current department chair Jim Ream.

Ream said Williams was especially proud of his 1969 production of Hamlet, which earned this comment from Indianapolis News critic Charles Staff: “Colleges seldom undertake a production of ‘Hamlet,’ and for Director Williams to have brought it off with such a measure of success is just short of a mystery.”

Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Southport Christian Church, with visitation 4-8 p.m. Friday at Singleton Community Mortuary and Memorial Center.