The Department of Drama honors the memory of Mortimer Caplin.  During a life of extraordinary service at the University and beyond, Mr. Caplin was a tireless champion of the arts.  Active in drama during his student years at UVA, he and his wife, Ruth Caplin, were the principal benefactors of the Ruth Caplin Theatre.  Since its opening in 2013, this state-of-the-art thrust theatre has transformed dramatic production at the University and in Charlottesville, hosting numerous innovative performances by Drama, Dance, and the Heritage Theatre Festival.  Mr. Caplin was the founding chair of the UVA Arts Council, which supports residencies, new works, and many other initiatives across all the arts units on Grounds.  He further established an endowment to support visiting artists in Drama, and created an annual prize for students in Dance, also named for Ruth Caplin.  His efforts advanced the arts programs of the University immeasurably, affording new and unparalleled opportunities to students, faculty, and community members alike.  A frequent presence at arts events, he was a beloved colleague and will be greatly missed.  Our condolences go out to the entire Caplin family.

To learn more:

Mortimer Caplin, Public Servant and UVA Law Professor Emeritus, Dies at 103 (UVA Today)

Mortimer Caplin, Tactful but Tough Tax Collector, Dies at 103 (The New York Times)

Mortimer Caplin, charismatic and hard-driving IRS commissioner, dies at 103 (The Washington Post)