Nancy B. Cole

Cole, Nancy B.

moved to Tampa to chair the theatre department at the University of South Florida (USF) in 1976. She directed and acted in USF productions and served as its theatre producer. She taught playwriting, dramatic literature and theatre history. Among her accomplishments were securing funds to build the USF dance center and fostering the Krewe of Theatre USF, a community volunteer organization. She retired Professor Emerita in 2003. She continued to contribute to USF by teaching and serving as a member of THUSFAR and consultant to the library. In the Tampa Bay area, she was a well-known performing arts advocate and a professional actor and director who worked at The Gorilla Theatre, Tampa Players, the Plant Museum and Stage Works, among others. She acted in Constance Congdon's one-woman show, A Conversation with Georgia O'Keefe, which toured nationally and internationally including the Hong Kong and Edinburgh fringe festivals. She co-produced the weekly Culture Vultures on the Tampa Bay Community Network with hosts Sandy Frye and Linda Saul-Sena featuring artists in music, theatre, dance and visual arts. She received a WMNF's Peace Legacy award in 2010. As a member of the Athena Society, she was a committed advocate for women in leadership roles.

She passed away on November 4, 2024, in Ithaca, N.Y., well-supported by loving family and friends. She is survived by her daughters, Paula Murray Cole (Freddy) Villano, Leslie Jordan (Jeff) Dixon; granddaughter, Julianne Dixon and many beloved extended family members. She is also survived by her chosen family of many colleagues, students, and friends.

Donations are welcomed to the USF scholarship fund: Krewe of Theatre USF - Nancy Cole Scholarship (#236150).

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