Erik Fredricksen, M.F.A., Claribel Baird Halstead Professor and professor of theatre and drama in the School of Music, Theatre & Dance, will retire from active faculty status on May 31, 2011.

Professor Fredricksen received his B.A. degree from Fairmont State College in 1965, his M.A. degree from Miami University in 1966, and his M.F.A. degree from Ohio University in 1971. He served on the University of Michigan faculty from 1981- 85, and on the faculty of the California Institute of the Arts from 1985-90. He returned to the University of Michigan as associate professor and chair of the Department of Theatre and Drama in 1990. He was promoted to professor in 1994 and served as chair until 2005.

Professor Fredricksen has had extensive professional experience as an actor and combat choreographer on Broadway and in such prestigious venues as the Tyrone Guthrie Theatre, Long Wharf Theatre, the New York Shakespeare Festival, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, the Dallas Shakespeare Festival, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Lincoln Center, The Folger Theatre in Washington, D.C, and the Manitoba Theatre Centre in Canada. He is a founding member and past president of the Society of American Fight Directors and was a founding member of the Nordic Society of Theatrical Combat. He has held residencies in England, Norway, Estonia, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, and the Stratford Festival of Canada. Professor Fredricksen holds an instructor rank with the National Fencing Coaches Association and is a 3rd degree Black Belt ranked aikidoist and instructor with the Birankai North America. While serving as chair of the Department of Theatre and Drama, Professor Fredricksen was actively involved in two capital campaigns, served on the school's executive committee, created the department's web page and newsletter, led efforts to establish several key named scholarships, and was actively involved in the planning of the Walgreen Drama Center. In 2010, he was awarded the Claribel Baird Halstead Professorship in recognition of his dedication and commitment to performance on stage.

The Regents now salute this extraordinary actor, choreographer, and teacher by naming Erik Fredricksen professor emeritus of theatre and drama.