William Kuhlke

I met Bill when I attended the University of Kansas to pursue a PhD in theatre. His enthusiasm for rigorous scholarship taught me not just the history of dramatic theory and criticism but then to apply it to think creatively. Additionally, he was a fine actor. His portrayal of George in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf in my production at Capital Rep ((Albany, NY), was spell binding - a privilege and highlight of my professional directing career.

Fifty years ago at the beginning of my freshman year at KU, I was fortunate to be enrolled in Dr. Kuhlke´s Improvisational Acting class. Dr. Kuhlke was a kind and welcoming instructor with a great sense of humor. With novel assignments he made class most enjoyable and his students feel comfortable. We´ve lost a great educator.

Bill Kuhlke was one my favorite Theatre professors at KU. I even wrote a paper on Vakhtangov for one of his classes. I also recall vividly that he drove all the way to Bethany College in Lindsborg, KS to serve as a private responder to my 1979 production of J.B, for which he also submitted an extensive written critique. A special man indeed, and we knew Glennys as well, a lovely person. I give thanks for Bill in my life.

He had an invincible spirit. In him gentleness was a form of strength and vice versa. Words are not enough.

I knew him as "Bill". He was a very talented actor, and, in today's world, would have been a highly sought after narrator. He could read the encyclopedia and make it sound personal. I worked with him on many projects, but I considered him a friend. My deepest thoughts to Karen and Kevin and the family.

Bill Kuhlke was a challenging and inspirational teacher. In a one-on one tutorial semester at the end of my KU education, he helped me sum up and plan ahead. He was solid, funny, and full of ideas. I was fortunate and remember him to this day.

An amazing human. So fortunate to have him at KU in the 70-80´s! I loved his very thoughtful classes. Some of his exercises still stick out in my mind when I think of my time at Murphy Hall. The first play I saw there was The Time of Your Life, which he starred in and completely blew me away. Brilliant actor! My condolences to his family. A life well lived.

Bill was an integral part of the KU theater family while I was growing up. My father, Dr. Jed Davis (Dr. D), and Bill were incredibly passionate about theater, arts and all things creative. John and Linda Davis, Salina, KS

"This was a man" indeed. A man of great integrity, personal and professional, of great talent and intellect, a brilliant teacher, and the best mentor a graduate student could ever have. I had the good fortune to have him as my PhD adviser. But Bill was more than that: he was a man of great kindness, tact, and dignity.