A Musical Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Mary Denman
June 1st at 1:30 p.m.
The Playhouse –Russell Hill Rogers Theater
800 West Ashby Place, San Antonio, TX 78212
Call 210-733-7258 with questions
Performers include Anna Gangai, Sherry Gibbs Houston, William Moll, Kimberly Bianco, Steven Bull, Elise Lopez, RC Thor, David Stone, Hon. Bonnie Reed Emcee: Byrd Bonner Stage Manager: Susan Breidenbach Music Director: Jane Haas MISSION: The Playhouse produces high quality live theatre that inspires, educates, and entertains audiences of all ages. Our passion is to connect our community to the world by telling stories that reveal the truth of the human experience. |
Showing posts with label obituary. Show all posts
Showing posts with label obituary. Show all posts
Thursday, May 23, 2013
(*) A Celebration of the Life of Mary Denman, Playhouse San Antonio, June 1 at 1:30 p.m.
Friday, May 10, 2013
San Antonio Remembers Mary Denman, Obit by Jeanne Jakle, San Antonio Express-News, May 9, 2013
Local broadcast and stage figure Mary Denman dies at 90
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| Mary Denman, 1971 (CLICK TO VIEW SLIDESHOW) |
Thursday, May 9, 2013
San Antonio radio, television and stage legend Mary Denman died Wednesday in a local private care facility. She was 90.
“Alzheimer's is a living hell,” her eldest daughter, Daryl Ann Denman, said Thursday. “Her dementia had started in the last few years. She finally just lapsed into an unresponsive coma.”
However, Denman, a pioneer of women in broadcasting and an ardent supporter of local theater, continues to burn brightly in the hearts and memories of many in news and entertainment here.
“It seemed Mary sort of floated through life effortlessly. Amazingly, she continued voice acting even into her 80s,” said Eileen Pace, reporter/host at Texas Public Radio's KSTX-FM.
“She was a trailblazer, and game for anything,” KENS-TV anchorwoman Deborah Knapp said.
“She even televised her own facelift,” Knapp recalled. “And when I was doing a story about sex over 60, Mary was more than happy to be interviewed.”
Denman's media career spanned some five decades, from the 1950s into the 21st century. She received numerous awards, including the National Achievement Award from the American Women in Radio and Television in 1995.
She was born June 28, 1922, spending her childhood and young adult years in Canton, Ohio. She earned a degree in English and music from Miami University there.
She started her TV career in Corpus Christi, hosting the city's first children's show, “Toyland Time,” as “The Song Lady” on KVDO in the early 1950s.
When she and husband Dick Denman moved to San Antonio, she was hired as the host-producer of “Our Town,” a weekday interview program on KENS-TV. Eventually, she became the station's first female co-anchor of a newscast.
Later, she moved to WOAI radio as the producer and co-host of “Morning Magazine” Monday through Friday.
After leaving radio, Denman and her husband formed their own ad agency, Mary Denman Inc., and ran it together until his death in 1991.
She then developed a radio program for seniors called “Prime Plus.” For the next 13 years, it aired every Sunday morning, first on WOAI, then KENS-AM and finally on KLUP.
Denman's passion for performing went beyond broadcasting, however. She's also remembered as a dynamo on the stage, playing everything from chorus parts to leads in local productions.
“She was amazing,” said Diane Malone, co-founder of the Classic Theatre of San Antonio, who served on the Alamo Theatre Arts Council board with Denman. “Always good-natured and gracious and generous and charming and sexy — even into her 80s.”
Behind the scenes, Denman also did a lot for local theater, chairing the capital campaign committee which renovated and restored The Playhouse, formerly the San Pedro Playhouse, raising more than $1 million.
There will be no burial.
“She donated her body to University of Texas Health Science Center,” daughter Daryl explained. “Mother felt that this was the way to go. It doesn't cost a dime and serves a purpose.”
Asia Ciaravino, president and CEO of The Playhouse, is asking local theaters to dim their lights at 8 p.m. Friday in honor of Denman.
Staff Writer Deborah Martin and directorsresource.com contributed to this report.
jjakle@express-news.net
“Alzheimer's is a living hell,” her eldest daughter, Daryl Ann Denman, said Thursday. “Her dementia had started in the last few years. She finally just lapsed into an unresponsive coma.”
However, Denman, a pioneer of women in broadcasting and an ardent supporter of local theater, continues to burn brightly in the hearts and memories of many in news and entertainment here.
“It seemed Mary sort of floated through life effortlessly. Amazingly, she continued voice acting even into her 80s,” said Eileen Pace, reporter/host at Texas Public Radio's KSTX-FM.
“She was a trailblazer, and game for anything,” KENS-TV anchorwoman Deborah Knapp said.
“She even televised her own facelift,” Knapp recalled. “And when I was doing a story about sex over 60, Mary was more than happy to be interviewed.”
Denman's media career spanned some five decades, from the 1950s into the 21st century. She received numerous awards, including the National Achievement Award from the American Women in Radio and Television in 1995.
She was born June 28, 1922, spending her childhood and young adult years in Canton, Ohio. She earned a degree in English and music from Miami University there.
She started her TV career in Corpus Christi, hosting the city's first children's show, “Toyland Time,” as “The Song Lady” on KVDO in the early 1950s.
When she and husband Dick Denman moved to San Antonio, she was hired as the host-producer of “Our Town,” a weekday interview program on KENS-TV. Eventually, she became the station's first female co-anchor of a newscast.
Later, she moved to WOAI radio as the producer and co-host of “Morning Magazine” Monday through Friday.
After leaving radio, Denman and her husband formed their own ad agency, Mary Denman Inc., and ran it together until his death in 1991.
She then developed a radio program for seniors called “Prime Plus.” For the next 13 years, it aired every Sunday morning, first on WOAI, then KENS-AM and finally on KLUP.
Denman's passion for performing went beyond broadcasting, however. She's also remembered as a dynamo on the stage, playing everything from chorus parts to leads in local productions.
“She was amazing,” said Diane Malone, co-founder of the Classic Theatre of San Antonio, who served on the Alamo Theatre Arts Council board with Denman. “Always good-natured and gracious and generous and charming and sexy — even into her 80s.”
Behind the scenes, Denman also did a lot for local theater, chairing the capital campaign committee which renovated and restored The Playhouse, formerly the San Pedro Playhouse, raising more than $1 million.
There will be no burial.
“She donated her body to University of Texas Health Science Center,” daughter Daryl explained. “Mother felt that this was the way to go. It doesn't cost a dime and serves a purpose.”
Asia Ciaravino, president and CEO of The Playhouse, is asking local theaters to dim their lights at 8 p.m. Friday in honor of Denman.
Staff Writer Deborah Martin and directorsresource.com contributed to this report.
jjakle@express-news.net
Monday, April 23, 2012
Death of Paul Riddle, Jr., Co-Founder of San Antonio's Renaissance Guild Theatre
The Renaissance Guild is saddened to announce that Paul Riddle, Jr., president & co-founder of San Antonio's premiere Black theatre company, passed away suddenly on Friday, April 20.
Funeral arrangements are pending and the company will inform members once they are finalized.
Please keep the Riddle Family lifted up in prayer as they go through this time of transition.
The Renaissance Guild, founded in January of 2001 by Latrelle Bright, Danielle King and Paul Riddle, Jr., is a non-profit organization dedicated to the examination, preservation, and celebration of the Black experience through theatre; providing educational outreach programs to the San Antonio community and surrounding areas, and providing opportunities for artistic expression to people of color.
Click here for more information about TRG.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Oscar Brockett, in memoriam, by Robert Faires, Austin Chronicle
Published in the Austin Chronicle of November 11:
Oscar Brockett
In memoriam
A scholar and a gentleman – the phrase is as apt a one as you'll find to describe Oscar Brockett, who was world-class on both counts. As a historian, he literally wrote the book on theatre – his History of the Theatre has been the gold standard on the subject for more than 40 years, and his The Essential Theatre is equally, well, essential in chronicling the art form's development. And as an educator, a mentor, a colleague, and a friend, Brock, as he was familiarly known, was a model of generosity, humility, kindness, warmth, and supportiveness. (Plus, he wielded a wickedly dry wit.) His passing on Nov. 7, following a massive stroke, left a great void in the world of theatre and in the hearts of thousands who were touched by the man. He was 87.
Theatre history was an unlikely career for a boy who grew up on a tobacco farm in rural Tennessee, where the only theatre to be seen was the odd high school production. But the stage called out to him, and after obtaining his undergraduate degree at a college with no drama department, Brockett made his way to Stanford to begin his theatre studies in earnest. There, he obtained his master's and doctoral degrees, then embarked on a teaching career at the University of Kentucky and Stetson University in Florida. During a seven-year stint teaching playwriting at the University of Iowa, he wrote an introductory theatre textbook, which led to him being asked by a publishing house to write a history of theatre. Once he accepted the challenge, his fate was sealed.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Oscar Brockett, 1923-2010, by Michael Barnes
Published by the Austin Statesman, November 8:
Oscar Brockett, 1923-2010
Oscar Brockett, the world’s foremost theater historian and a former University of Texas professor, died early Sunday morning after suffering a massive stroke late Saturday.
Brockett, 87, leaves behind hundreds of former students and colleagues around the world, as well as a daughter, Francesca Brockett, and her husband, Dr. James Pedicano of Austin.
“(He) was an absolute giant in the field of theater history,” said Doug Dempster, dean of the UT College of Fine Arts. “He defined it in many ways. His name is synonymous with the field across several continents. He was a prolific, meticulous scholar into the very last year of his long career. He leaves a legacy that will last as long again as his long life.”
In 1968, Brockett wrote “History of the Theatre.” It has since been translated into dozens of languages, including a suppressed version in Farsi. It is now in its 10th edition and has passed through the hands of almost every American theater student for four decades.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Obituary: Sara Medina-Pape of St Edwards University, by Robert Faires in the Austin Chronicle
Published in the Austin Chronicle of October 1:
Sara Medina-Pape
In memoriam
By Robert Faires
Condolences to the family, friends, colleagues, and former students of Sara Medina-Pape, who died Friday, Sept. 18. The longtime costume designer and assistant professor at St. Edward's University passed away in California while undergoing treatment for her third bout with pancreatic cancer. She was 56.
Though born in Milan, Italy, Medina-Pape was very much a Texas girl, growing up here, obtaining a master's in theatre arts from the University of Texas at Austin, and spending 19 years at St. Ed's, where she taught and designed costumes for many Mary Moody Northen Theatre productions, contributing award-nominated work to Fallen Angels, Fuente Ovejuna, and Twelfth Night. She also holds a notable credit in film: designing costumes for the Coen brothers' Austin-shot Blood Simple in 1984.
But though her roots were in the Lone Star State, Medina-Pape was not rooted here. At various times, she made her home in London, England; Lima, Peru; and Kenya. She also spent three summers in Uganda assisting the Sisters of the Holy Cross in educating women there, an experience that led her to organize an annual sale of Ugandan crafts at St. Ed's, the proceeds of which went to villagers in the country where they were made.
Medina-Pape is survived by her husband, Brian Pape; children, Ian and Natalie; mother, Johnnie Medina; sister, Amy Repp; brother, Paul Bounds; and legions of students who admired not only her talents as a designer and teacher but her vivacity, optimism, and compassion as a human being.
A memorial service was held Saturday, Sept. 26, in the Our Lady Queen of Peace Chapel on the St. Edward's campus. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Lazarex Cancer Foundation (www.lazarex.org) and/or the SEUganda project (www.stedwards.edu/SE_Uganda).
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