Founded in 1952 by two professors from San Francisco State College, Herbert Blau and Jules Irving, the San Francisco Actor’s Workshop rapidly became the city’s major theatre.  Although the company often presented classics, it was best known for its interpretation of modern avant-garde and politically  oriented works.  As a result the Workshop gained stature as one of the nation’s cutting-edge regional theaters.   Among its noteworthy productions were Mother Courage, The Balcony, The Birthday Party and Waiting for Godot. In 1965 Blau and Irving were tapped to head New York’s premier repertory theatre at Lincoln Center.