The League of Professional Theatre Women remembers honored members who have recently passed away.
Francoise Kourilsky
January, 2013
Francoise was the founder and artistic director of Ubu Repertory Theater in New York from 1982-2001. She also founded with of Joseph Chaikin and Meredith Monk The Center for Theater Practice. Many knew her as an ambassador of French theatrical culture, introducing many French and francophone playwrights to the US audience by translating and presenting their work.
Berenice Weiler
April, 2012
Berenice Weiler, a producer and theatrical general manager, died of natural causes in Manhattan on April 28. She was 88.
She worked as an advance director for star-package shows on the summer stock circuit, including the resident stock theater in Bar Harbor, Maine.
Later Weiler joined a USO tour to entertain occupation forces in Europe in the wake of WWII. After returning to the U.S., she eventually found work in live television, first as a casting director and then as an associate producer on dramas including “Hallmark Hall of Fame.” She was associate producer of “Sid Caesar Presents” on NBC and later ABC, subsequently taking the show to London for a season on British TV.
Returning to stage work, Weiler joined the management of the American Shakespeare Festival Theater in Stratford, Conn., rising to managing producer. She resigned in 1973 to become the administrative director for Frank Dunlop’s BAM Theater Company.
With Marilyn S. Miller she formed Weiler/Miller in 1978. The New York-based general management firm managed many Broadway and Off Broadway productions, including “Nine.”
Weiler was executive Director of the University/Resident Theater Assn., president and a founding member of the League of Professional Theater Women, Secretary-Treasurer of the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers and the president of the National Theater Conference. She was also adjunct professor at the U. of Miami.
Weiler was a lifelong resident of Manhattan and attended Hunter College.
Donations may be made to the Actors Fund.
(Via: http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118053635)
Norma Langworthy
January 2012
Norma Langworthy passed on Saturday, January 28th, 2012. Norma was a producer with a shining resume of Broadway and Off-Broadway credits. Her Broadway credits included: Gore Vidal’s The Best Man (winner of Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Revival of a Play and a Tony Nomination for Best Revival of a Play); Sweet Sue, Getting and Spending, The Beauty Queen of Leenane. Off-Broadway: Cliffhanger, The Perfect Party, The Road to Mecca, and The Springhill Singing Disaster. Contributions can be made in her memory to the Roundabout Theatre, and condolences can be sent to one of her daughters, Mrs. Leslie Beller, at 867 Presidents Street, Brooklyn, NY 11215.
Mary C. Henderson
January 2012
Mary C. Henderson, a scholar of the theater whose interests as a historian and curator spanned centuries and as a Tony nominator and critic were up to the minute, died on Jan. 3 at her home in Congers, N.Y. She was 83. Ms. Henderson’s most important work, “Theater in America: 250 Years of Plays, Players and Productions” (1986, revised in 1996), is a concise history, valued by students and teachers, that tells the country’s theatrical tale in chapters that focus on individuals and individual professions: producers, playwrights, actors and others. She is survived by her three sons, Doug, James and Stuart, as well as two sisters and four grandchildren. For more information, please see an article written about her in the Theater section of the New York Times by clicking here.
Jen Nelson
July 2010
Jen (Jean Bower) passed away at home on July 17. An admired actress who starred on Broadway in “The Sound of Music” and “The Aspern Papers” and tour of “Fiorello,” Ms. Nelson also was a singer in supper clubs. Later, she was a marketing and group sales specialist whose many innovations are still being used. She was a compassionate, selfless person with a zest for life. She always made time to help others and to mentor young people. She will be remembered for her great style, her flair, and her sense of fun. She is survived by her niece Donna Todd of Seattle, her grandniece Carrie Bulmer-King, and great-grandnieces and grandnephews. A celebration of her life is being planned.
Published in The New York Times on July 23, 2010
Heather Duke
July 2010
Heather Duke-Hoover passed away from a sudden illness on July 13, 2010, where she was surrounded by her loved ones. Heather was born in Monticello, NY on September 25, 1942 to Benjamin and Selma Duke. Heather had a long and varied career. She was a registered nurse at Nyack Hospital, a newspaper publisher, a Broadway producer of the musical “Little Women”, she had her own company Duke Marketing Inc, and she was the Director of tourism for Rockland County since 1994. Heather was loved by all who knew her. She was kind, generous and compassionate. Heather is survived by her husband Robert, her three sons Benjamin Lungen, Daniel Lungen, and Joshua Lungen and her brother, Peter Duke. Heather will be missed dearly by her grandchildren Michael, Cory, Tyler, Jessica, Joey and step grandchildren Samantha, Matthew, Gabriella and Chyna. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her memory to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Sylvia Schwartz
June 2010
Sylvia was a former board member and led the LPTW’s Sunshine efforts. She attended and assisted with many events and activities over the years, and she will be missed. Our thoughts are with her family and many friends at this difficult time.
