Arthur Miller Theatre

Arthur Miller Theatre, capturing the reflection of trees and the sky on the glass at the University of Michigan - North Campus. Photo by Hannach Lee (September 2024).

A Journey from UM to Broadway Greatness

by Hannah Lee

A teenager from New York, driven by his passion during the Great Depression, journeyed to Ann Arbor where his life would forever change. This man, who would later write the iconic Death of a Salesman The Crucible, amongst other classics, found his time at the University of Michigan to be a turning point in his career, setting him on a path that would lead to both the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award. Today, the university honors him with the only theatre in the world that bears his name: Arthur Miller.

Born in New York City in 1915 to Jewish immigrant parents (source), Arthur Asher Miller's family faced financial devastation during the Great Depression (“Arthur Miller: Jefferson Lecture"), a hardship that deeply affected him and exposed him to the fragility of modern life (“Arthur Miller Theatre"). Despite these challenges, and reflecting on his less-than-ideal high school performance, Miller was determined to attend college (“Arthur Miller Theatre"). After working for two years in a warehouse, he wrote to the dean of the University of Michigan, explaining how he had “turned into a much more serious fellow” (Lamos). UM’s acceptance was transformative for him. At UM, Miller wrote for The Michigan Daily student newspaper and delved into creative writing, drafting his first play, laying the foundation for his Broadway career following his graduation in 1938 (“Arthur Miller Theatre"). He also won two prestigious Hopwood Awards. This accomplishment not only gave him “both critical prestige [but also] critical funding” (Maxwell).

Portrait of Arthur Miller in New York City in 1962 by Arnold Newman/Getty Images.

Inside of Arthur Miller Theatre by KPMB Architects.

Miller explored deep social issues and the complexities of the human condition through plays. His career skyrocketed with works like Death of a Salesman (1949), which won all three major U.S. awards: the Pulitzer Prize, Tony Award, and New York Critics Circle Award; and was later “adapted for the screen and revived on Broadway” (Britannica). Even after his success, Miller continued to be connected with his alma mater, visiting campus, “meeting with students and conducting writing workshops” (“After the Curtain"). In recognition of his enduring affection for UM, the university awarded him an honorary degree in 1956. Later, university president Lee Bollinger proposed naming a theater after him—a suggestion Miller accepted, making the Arthur Miller Theatre the “only theater in the world to bear his name” (“Arthur Miller Theatre"). Located on the University of Michigan's North Campus, Arthur Miller Theatre features a proscenium stage with seating for around 250 guests, creating a close-knit setting where the distance between the performers and the audience feels personal (“Arthur Miller Theatre").

Miller's first name Arthur was popular among Americans when he was born (source). The name has roots in the word artos (source), a term linked to the "Ancient Celtic" word for "bear," symbolizing "strength and courage" ("Meaning")—qualities Miller himself embodied throughout his storied career. In fact, Ancestry.com says about the first name, "In addition to its cultural significance, the name Arthur has also been embraced by popular culture, with notable figures like Arthur Miller, the renowned playwright, and Arthur Conan Doyle, the famous author of Sherlock Holmes, elevating its reputation."

Miller's legacy is not only preserved through his iconic works but also through his enduring connection to the University of Michigan, a place that nurtured his early talent and shaped his future. The Arthur Miller Theatre stands as a testament to his profound impact on the world of drama and the generations of students who continue to draw inspiration from his life and work.

Works Cited

“After the Curtain Call: University of Michigan Pays Homage to Playwright Arthur Miller ’38.” Key Executives, 10 Oct. 2021,

thekeyexecutives.com/2021/10/11/after-the-curtain-call-university-of-michigan-pays -homage-to-playwright-arthur-miller-38/. Accessed 30 Sep. 2024.

“Arthur Miller Theatre.” University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre & Dance, University of Michigan, smtd.umich.edu/facilities/arthur-miller-theatre/. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Britannica - missing??

“Charles R. Walgreen, Jr. Drama Center & Arthur Miller Theatre, University of Michigan.” KPMB,

kpmb.com/project/charles-r-walgreen-jr-drama-center-arthur-miller-theatre/. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

Lamos, Mark. “An Interview with Arthur Miller.” Michigan Quarterly Review, University of Michigan, Winter 2007, sites.lsa.umich.edu/mqr/2016/10/from-the-archive-an-interview-with-arthur-miller/ Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

“Arthur Miller: Jefferson Lecture.” National Endowment for the Humanities, 2001, neh.gov/about/awards/jefferson-lecture/arthur-miller-biography.

Maxwell, Fredric Alan. “Arthur Miller’s Ode to U-M.” Michigan Today, 25 Nov. 2013, michigantoday.umich.edu/2013/11/25/arthur-millers-ode-to-u-m/. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

“Meaning of the First Name Arthur.” Ancestry.com, ancestry.com/first-name-meaning/arthur. Accessed 30 Sep. 2024.

Newman, Arnold. "Portrait of Arthur Miller." 26 Aug. 2005. Arnold Newman Properties, Getty Images, gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/portrait-of-american-playwright-arthur-miller-january-29-news-photo/53466315?adppopup=true. Accessed 6 Oct. 2024.

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