Marion Bankert Michael

Marion Bankert Michael, Associate Professor Emerita of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance at Indiana University Bloomington, passed away peacefully in Bloomington on October 23, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. R. Keith Michael (October 19, 2025) and will be deeply missed by the many students, colleagues, and friends whose lives she enriched through her artistry, intellect, and grace. Marion was preceded in death by her father, Clarence O. Bankert, her mother, Lillian Mary Lemmon Bankert, a brother Larry Nelson Bankert and stepsister Jean W. Nafzinger. She is survived by her nieces, Karen Nafzinger Moore (Tom), Nancy Jo Carter (James) and a nephew, James R. Michael (Cathy J) Born in Littlestown, Pennsylvania in 1929, Marion earned her bachelor’s degree in 1951 from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where she majored in Speech, Speech Pathology, Theatre, and English. She received her M.F.A. in Theatre from the University of Iowa in 1958, with an emphasis in Acting, and completed postgraduate work at the University of Bristol in England. Her expertise in voice, speech, and dialects for the stage became the foundation of her career as both performer and teacher. Before joining the Indiana University faculty, Marion enjoyed an accomplished career as a professional actress. She appeared in over 150 roles on stage including the Erie Playhouse in Pennsylvania and Theatre L’Homme Dieu in Minnesota. Marion began her teaching career at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, joining the faculty in 1962 and earning tenure there before accepting a position at Indiana University Bloomington in 1975. Over more than two decades on the IU faculty, she developed and led the university’s curriculum in voice, speech, and dialects, coaching more than 300 university and professional productions for the University Theatre, Brown County Playhouse, Edyvean Repertory Theatre, and the Indiana Repertory Theatre. Nationally, Marion was a respected leader in the field of theatre education. She was recognized for her breakthrough work in developing new approaches to teaching voice and speech. She was among the pioneering group of women who helped establish the Women’s Program in the American Theatre Association. She also served as head of the National Drama Competition for the National Society of Arts and Letters in 1989 and 1994, and later as National Liaison for Award Winners from 1998 to 2000. At Indiana University, she was Vice President of the Theatre Circle and a member of the Board of Directors for the National Society of Arts and Letters. Her accomplishments were recognized with numerous honors, including a citation from the Indiana Theatre Association for “Outstanding Achievement in Indiana College and University Theatre,” a commendation from the Indiana General Assembly for “years of outstanding service to Indiana University,” and recognition as a “Distinguished Woman” by the American Theatre Association. Marion and Keith shared a love story that spanned more than seventy years—a partnership rooted in creativity, curiosity, and enduring love. Their life together was rich with travel, books, laughter, and the companionship of their beloved long-haired dachshunds. They were a fixture at the Westminster Dog Show with friends and often found inspiration on Broadway stages in New York City. Marion will be remembered for her brilliance as a teacher, her elegance as a performer, and her unwavering belief in the transformative power of theatre. Her light continues to shine through the countless students, colleagues, and friends whose lives she so deeply touched. Memorial contributions may be made to the R. Keith Michael and Marion Bankert Michael Visiting Artist/Scholar Fund for Theatre and Drama at the Indiana University Foundation: Dr. R. Keith Michael, 94, Professor Emeritus of Theatre, Drama, and Contemporary Dance at Indiana University Bloomington, died peacefully in Bloomington on October 19, 2025. His wife of 71 years, Marion Bankert Michael died shortly after on October 23rd. Keith is survived by his nieces Karen Nafzinger Moore (Tom) and Nancy Jo Carter (James) and his nephew James R Michael (Cathy J) and by the many colleagues, friends, and students whose lives he touched throughout his remarkable career. He was preceded in death by his father, James R. Michael, his mother, Lena Ruth Synder Michael, his brother Kay D. Michael and his nephew Lloyd K. Michael. Born in Pennsylvania in 1930, Keith’s lifelong devotion to theatre began early and deepened through his education and professional pursuits. He earned a B.S. from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1952, an M.F.A. from the University of Iowa in 1958, and a Ph.D. from the University of Bristol in England in 1970. Before entering academia, he built an accomplished professional career in theatre, beginning as an actor and stage manager with the Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia. He went on to co-found Theatre L’Homme Dieu in Alexandria, Minnesota, serving as producer and artistic director during the 1960s, and later held the same roles at the Brown County Playhouse in Nashville, Indiana. In 1971, Keith joined Indiana University as the first chair of the Department of Theatre and Drama. During his twenty-five years as chair, he expanded the faculty, directed or oversaw more than four hundred productions, and played a key role in planning the Lee Norvelle Theatre and Drama Center, which opened in 2002. He served as president of the National Association of Schools of Theatre, received the Indiana Governor’s Arts Award (1997), was inducted as a Fellow of the College of Fellows of the American Theatre (1999), and received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from Indiana University (2002). Before his academic career, Keith served four years in the United States Navy as an anti-submarine warfare officer aboard the USS Thaddeus Parker, a destroyer escort. Keith and Marion shared a lifelong love story that began when he cast her as the lead in a university production. Together they traveled widely, read on sunny beaches, and shared a devotion to their long-haired dachshunds—beginning with Rommel and followed by four more beloved companions. Annual trips to the Westminster Dog Show with friends, and frequent visits to New York City to see Broadway performances, were among their greatest joys. Keith was also a painter whose work reflected his appreciation for light, story, and the beauty of everyday life. Dr. Michael will be remembered for his passion for theatre, his generosity as a mentor, and his enduring belief in the power of art to enrich the human spirit. Memorial contributions may be made to the R. Keith Michael and Marion Bankert Michael Visiting Artist/Scholar Fund for Theatre and Drama at the Indiana University Foundation: https://give.myiu.org/iu-bloomington/P370013006.html Celebration of Life Open House for Keith and Marion to be held at Meadowood Retirement Community on December 20, 2025, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Arrangements are being handled by Allen Funeral Home, Bloomington, IN. Celebration of Life Open House for Keith and Marion to be held at Meadowood Retirement Community on December 20, 2025, from 5:00pm to 7:00pm. Arrangements are being handled by Allen Funeral Home, Bloomington, IN

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Marion Bankert Michael

April 29, 1929 - October 23, 2025