Larry L. Life

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Larry Life Obituary

LARRY L. LIFE, of Fort Wayne, died Saturday, Feb. 10, 2007. He was professor and chair of the I.P.F.W. Department of Theatre, where he has been a member of the faculty since 1971. He received his B.S. in Theatre in 1967 and his M.A. in Theatre in 1969, both from Ball State University. In 1992, he was given the Indiana Theatre Association's Outstanding Artist-Educator Award for 23 years of service as a director/ choreographer, actor, and theatre educator in Indiana. He worked professionally in New York in the 1960's. He had appeared in the films The Detective with Frank Sinatra and Me Natalie with Patty Duke, and has worked with Madeline Kahn and Roberta Flack. He had been director-choreographer for music theatre productions at Black Hills Playhouse, Louisiana State University, Wabash College, University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Tulane University, and Miami University at Oxford, Ohio, and has studied musical theatre with Lehman Engel at the Goodspeed Opera House in East Haddam, Conn. He had studied acting with Uta Hagen and Charles Nelson Riley, and dance with Matt Mattox, Jaimie Rogers, Charles Weidman, and Robert Lunnon. He is listed in Who's Who in Entertainment. His productions Dames at Sea and Hair were granted the Amoco Award of Excellence and selected for presentation at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., for the American College Theatre Festival. He had acted, directed, and choreographed for Fort Wayne Civic Theatre, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, Arena Dinner Theatre, and First Presbyterian Theatre. He has conceived, directed, and choreographed nine original musical reviews for the Fort Wayne Civic Theatre Guild, and one in 1994 for the Fort Wayne Bicentennial Commission. Survivors include sister, Sara (Jerald) Hoege of Poway, Calif.; two nieces, Amy Lynn (Bill) Clark and Jennifer Lynn Hoege; nephew, Bradley Shane Life of Muncie; and two great nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents, Herschel W. and Nixola V. Life; and brother, David L. Life. Memorial service is 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, 2007, at Embassy Theater, 125 W. Jefferson. Arrangements by D.O. McComb & Sons Lakeside Park Funeral Home, 1140 Lake Ave. Memorials to Aid Task Force.

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Published by Fort Wayne Newspapers on Feb. 16, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Larry Life

10 Entries

jackie (wells)taylor-scott

July 11, 2007

The first time I worked with Larry was the show "Ain't Mis-Behavin'".Natalie Edmonds was my hair client and introduced me to him.I was fortunate enough to be able to create hair styles and wig styles for quite a few of Larry's productions.I enjoyed working with him so much that I got up enough nerve to actually perform in a couple of them. Even two of my children were in at least one of them.Through Larry I met so many interesting and greatly talented people.I felt honored that Larry even trusted me to do his mother's hair when she was alive.I remember the nights when everyone went to Henry's after rehearsal or performances to unwind.Or sometimes to Halls.Larry could be a real task master but he could also be such great fun!Oddly,he was on my mind about the time he left us.Larry has a big part of my life for a long time.I last saw him in 2003 I think when I cut his hair for him.There is so much I want to say....I just know that Fort Wayne and theatre community will never ever be able to replace him.He once told a few of what he wanted to come back as when he died.Larry I hope you get your wish!

Lucinda Witt

May 15, 2007

Larry Life was the first person I met at BSU theatre, and he gave me my first role at BSU. He believed in me when no one else did, and we formed a great friendship throughout my theatrical career at BSU. Because of Larry's dedication, I am directing, acting, and formed my own theatre company in San Jose, CA. called Center Stage Productions. I'm also starting a children's theatre workshop. Bravo, Larry...you were the ultimate theatrical director. I shall miss you.
Cindy Leonard Witt.
Class of 1969, BSU

Jennifer Rapp-Netting

March 17, 2007

I remember many years ago being cast in one of Larry's shows, and, at that point in my life, I had a bit of an attitude about the role I had received. Needless to say, Larry set me straight, and I learned not only about theatre, but also about humility.

I got a chance to meet with Larry last August 2006, and I am glad I did. I was able to thank him for his guidance and support, and I am glad I had the chance to work with him. He made a lasting impact on my life and many others.

Thank you, Larry. Blessed be.

Margie Howard

February 22, 2007

I've known Larry for over thirty years. He was my teacher and my friend. I went to the campus to get a nursing degree, took an elective my first semester in acting with Larry and I was hooked on theatre. It became my vocation and I have been a working stage manager for the last twenty five years in New York. Good theatre is about stories with conflict. Larry was true to that.

Fort Wayne in general and PIT in particular have lost a great educator. I mourn his passing. My sympathy and love to his friends and family.

Cathy Rowe Patrick

February 20, 2007

I worked with Larry for a few years as musical director at PIT, and took many great memories away from that experience. Larry encouraged me to be creative, allowing me the freedom to make the best decisions possible from rehearsal techniques to casting. I gained a great deal of self-confidence, as a director and a performer during my time at PIT, and for this I have always been grateful. Larry was controversial, to be sure, but I have yet to meet anyone in the arts who doesn't ruffle a feather or two. I can't imagine PIT without him.

Marlene Breit

February 17, 2007

I worked as Larry's secretary in the Department of Theatre for at least 5 years in the early to middle 90's. He counted on me to help in many areas of the theatre department and the box office. I'll always remember how he made sure I had flowers for my desk on a weekly basis and all holidays. Working for Larry was a great experience and one I will never forget.

Ezra Buzzington

February 16, 2007

When I was a kid growing up in Muncie, Larry Life's name at my house meant "theatre". Unfortunately I never got to work with him directly, but his presence in Muncie helped me want to have a life in show business. Especially when I saw him in a movie. Now that's what I do for a living. He'll be missed but thanked. Jonathan Harris (Ezra Buzzington)

Denise Yaney

February 16, 2007

There are many who mourn the death of Larry Life. The death of Life -- an oxymoron, unutterable and unfathomable. For his work was his life, his students and colleagues were his family and the productions he directed and classes he taught were the precious snapshots tucked away in a shoe box.

I was a student of Larry's in the mid 70s. Before working with him, in no way could I have imagined the career path that would come to me. I am a stage manager in New York and have worked in the theater professionally for thirty years. I owe this destiny to Larry. He introduced me not just to the art of theater, but the community of it. I am forever grateful -- for the friendships I formed then are my closest friendships still and the passion he revealed to me was not only for the art but for the opportunity to create it with others.

The was no stronger advocate for the Theater Department than Larry. While he may have attracted controversy he also brought prestige to the little IU-PU campus. He took two productions to the Kennedy Center as part of the American College Theater Festival and many of his former students have made careers in the performing arts.

He was also my friend, always there for me, enjoying my successes and comforting me through hardships.

Larry's true legacy lives on through all of us who knew him and loved him. Every day I go to work is a celebration of his life.

Belinda Buckler

February 15, 2007

The time I spent at Williams Theater was one of the best in my life and Larry had a lot to do with that. I will truly miss his humor and laughter.

Judy (Beth Ann Hoskins) Carr

February 15, 2007

Larry is one of the first memories in my life. We were neighbors on Calvert Street in Muncie Indiana. Larry and my older brother started a theatre group for kids called the Little Calvert Players. We did wonderful productions at the local YMCA and had big audiances. Larry, for just being a teenager, was bigger than life and a great leader, director and educator. We had fun and we worked hard. I was 4 years old. Thank you Larry for all the fun and the success of a bunch of neiborhood kids actually creating a complete play with auditions, rehearsals and performances. And thanks for being a great family friend and neighbor.

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