Dennis Emory Wickline

Veteran director, actor and theater professional Dennis E. Wickline of St. Clair Shores, MI, passed away June 19 at the age of 73 after suffering a stroke. Dennis was born in Detroit on May 12, 1951, to Emory and Elynor Wickline. He grew up in Grosse Pointe Woods, graduating from Grosse Pointe High School in 1969. He attended Michigan State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Television. His skills included film and video, broadcasting, writing, communications, and all areas of marketing. Dennis worked at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan for 38 years. He was Supervisor of Audio Visuals, retiring in 2013. In addition to being a devoted and loving husband and father, Dennis also had a love for television, film, and the performing arts.
Dennis was interested in film and television since the age of 12 when his parents bought him a movie camera. He continued sharing his creative skills throughout southeast Michigan for years. He joined Gosse Pointe Theatre in 1974 where he served two times as president of the Board of Directors, and also served as Public Relations Chair and Workshop Chair. He won several awards for his theater contributions. He directed 13 main stage productions, as well as produced, designed and built sets, and designed lighting and sound. A multi-faceted actor, Dennis portrayed numerous diverse characters, each believable and even lovable, such as Noah in Two by Two, Joe in All My Sons, Fagin in Oliver, Sancho Panzo in Man of La Mancha, Edna Turnblad in Hairspray, and Maurice in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, just to name a few. Dennis shared his love for theater in kind and generous ways, mentoring actors and helping them achieve their most believable characters, while collaborating with the entire cast and production crew to convey an authentic and entertaining story for audiences. Dennis often worked on productions with his wife Olivia, who he met at Grosse Pointe Theatre, and introduced theater to their children Denny and Lauren at a young age. Whether he was working on stage, backstage, with a special program or event, or leading the Board of Directors at Grosse Pointe Theatre, he generously shared his knowledge and skills to achieve the highest standard of excellence. Dennis's fun-loving, easy-going spirit, kind and gentle demeanor made him a joy to work with.
In addition to community theater, Dennis shared his performing arts talents in the southeast Michigan region professionally for decades, launching Dennis Wickline Productions, Inc. (DW Productions) in 1980 where he produced non-Equity professional live theater for over 34 years. DW Productions produced dinner theater performances at Stouffer's Restaurant at Eastland Shopping Center, and at the original The Golden Lion restaurant on Detroit's east side. Dennis also owned and operated Broadway Onstage Live Theatre in Eastpointe, MI, from 1993 to 2014. The intimate 72-seat venue gave many local actors, directors, musicians, and audience-members an opportunity to experience live theater in a unique setting. Dennis used his writing skills to pen several plays and musicals, many of which have been performed in various theaters across the country.
Recognized in the live-theater arena for his many contributions, Dennis has received several awards from Grosse Pointe Theatre for his leadership, acting, directing, and technical expertise. The group also nominated Dennis for a national award in 2023 which he received, the American Association of Community Theatre's Robert E. Gard Superior Volunteer Award for outstanding contributions in community theater as a volunteer. In addition, Dennis was recognized for his production company and Broadway Onstage Live Theatre with the 2014 Encore Michigan's Wilde Award - Critic's Choice Award category, celebrating professional theater in Michigan.
Dennis will forever be loved and remembered by his beautiful family and the many friends whose lives were made better by his creative magic and unconditional generosity. No doubt, he is working on his next "Heavenly" production.
Dennis is survived by his wife Olivia, children Denny and Lauren (Shannon Pyle), sister Denyce Clayton (David), and sisters-in-law Rosalie Slowinski (James) and Sandy Bilpuch (Greg), along with many extended family and friends. He was predeceased by his parents Emory and Elynor Wickline.
The family will celebrate Dennis's life at a visitation on Tuesday, June 25, from 4-8 p.m., at Chas. Verheyden Funeral Home, 16300 Mack Ave, in Grosse Pointe Park, MI 48230. The funeral service will take place Wednesday, June 26, at 10 a.m., at Verheyden's Funeral Home, followed by the burial service at Resurrection Cemetery, 18201 Clinton River Rd, Clinton Township, MI 48038.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Dennis's name to Grosse Pointe Theatre or another charity of choice. Donations to Grosse Pointe Theatre can be made at http://www.gpt.org/donate or by check to Grosse Pointe Theatre, 315 Fisher Rd, Grosse Pointe MI 48230. Please note online and in the check memo section that donations are in memory of Dennis Wickline.