WILLIAM WINGATE

I had the privilege of being the last person to date Anne Homsted shortly before she took up with William Wingate. We were rehearsing Hamlet at Carleton College in the fall of 1962. Billy was cast as Hamlet, Anne as Ophelia, and I was playing Polonius. I was backstage when someone told me there was something on stage I should see. Our director was running through III, iv, the intense scene between Hamlet and Gertrude, and Billy was tearing in fine fashion through one of Shakespeare's ...

Bill was a classmate of mine at Pomfret School. I remember him best with a banjo on his knee teaching me the Cowboy Lullaby. For years I sang that song to my sleepy kids and grandkids and lately I sing it in my mind when sleep comes slowly. Each time I remember Bill's confident energy and easy smile and steady presence. May all those who knew Bill better and longer than I find such peace in his memory.

I am one of the young managers Bill mentored. I was hired right out of grad school to work at the Mark Taper in the audience development department in 1983.The Taper was my first exposure to the regional theater movement as a high school and college student and then professionally. One of the country´s leading theaters and most successful both artistically and administratively, I learned a great deal in my two years and my experience launched a 40 year career as an arts administrator. I am...