Karl Schmidt (died April 2016) was an American radio broadcaster from Wisconsin who created the radio drama series Earplay.[1][2] Schmidt spent the majority of his career at station WHA and Wisconsin Public Radio.[3][4] He began his career as a University of Wisconsin student at WHA in 1941, and later served in the military during World War II with Armed Forces Radio.[5] After completing his degree at the University of Wisconsin, Schmidt pursued a career in radio drama in New York.[6] Later, Schmidt returned to WHA to host and produce radio programs, and also served as director of the National Center for Audio Experimentation. He also held positions with the National Association of Educational Broadcasters and NPR. In 1971, Schmidt created the radio drama series Earplay,[7][8] which broadcast original plays and won several awards during its run, including a Peabody Award and the Prix Italia.[3] Schmidt was also a reader for the WPR series Chapter a Day,[9] appearing on the program from 1941 until his death in 2016.[10] He was inducted into the Wisconsin Broadcasters Hall of Fame in 2013.
External links
edit- Oral history interview with Karl Schmidt by the UW-Madison Oral History Program
References
edit- ^ "Karl Schmidt". Wisconsin Public Radio. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ Elsner, Carmen (June 20, 1976). "'Earplay' keeps radio drama alive, well". Wisconsin State Journal. Madison, Wisconsin. p. 62. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
- ^ a b Janssen, Mike (26 April 2016). "Karl Schmidt, radio dramatist and longtime Wisconsin host, dies at 93". Current. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ Oliva, Mark (October 19, 1969). "Oldest station in land nearly voted off air". The Post-Crescent. Vol. 9, no. 43. Appleton, Wisconsin. p. 102. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
- ^ Janssen, Mike (28 January 2013). "At 90, pubradio pioneer upholds a literary tradition". Current. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
- ^ McKillip, Paul (August 3, 1980). "Radio Drama Comeback". The Sacramento Bee. Vol. 246, no. 40741. Sacramento, California. p. 121. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
- ^ Jory, Tom (November 27, 1979). "'Earplay' pioneers radio drama". Wisconsin State Journal. Madison, Wisconsin. p. 21. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
- ^ Brown, James (February 10, 1980). "NPR's 'Earplay' Series Returns for 8th Season". Los Angeles Times. p. 414. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
- ^ Wendling, Patrice (October 28, 1989). "The voice that brings books to life". The Capital Times. Madison, Wisconsin. p. 11. Retrieved 2023-04-21.
- ^ "Remembering WPR's Karl Schmidt". Wisconsin Public Radio. Retrieved 10 April 2023.