In 1996, I was privileged to give birth to Tony’s first grandchild, Max. I remember Tony first coming to see Max at our home. He took Max in his arms, held him up and laughed in delight.
“ Oh what a fine boy” were his words.
Tony was an excellent grandfather. He gave his two grandchildren, Daisy and Max so much of his attention, so much care, so much wisdom. Although Tony lived out of the UK, Max was especially close to his grandpa, and the connection that they shared was magical. Max loved going to Greece to visit his Grandpa Tony, and the first time Max ever saw snow was with his Grandpa when Tony lived in Denver.
I know that Max feels the loss of his Grandpa Tony deeply. Max will miss him, and cherish the memories they created together with his entire heart.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Tribute from Stephanie Cozart
Stephanie Cozart, Actor
I was in the last class at NTC for which Tony was active dean (and teacher). I'll never forget his phone call that came in the spring of 1994, inviting me to come to the conservatory. My roommate (in a thick East Texas dialect) shouted, "Oh my GAWD! There's a British guy on the phone!" It was my future calling. (That call led to everything--my career, my best friends, even my marriage). And for 3 years Tony stood as the shining example of the only way you can conduct yourself in the theatre: with total respect for yourself and your fellow artists, with ABSOLUTE, childlike delight and enthusiasm towards EVERY SINGLE THING you attempt, and with humbled, breathless awe that you've been given the opportunity to participate. No room for petty people. He made us feel we were above all that; we were ARTISTS. And we felt that, through him, we were connected to legends: Edith Evans, John Gielgud, William Shakespeare, for God's sake. We were a part of this great tradition, so we'd damn well better conduct ourselves accordingly! Months after I graduated, I was cast in my first Equity show: as Hypatia in Misalliance at the Denver Center, with Tony as Lord Summerhays. THE Tony Church was proposing to me onstage, and I was flirtatiously rebuking and tormenting him. It was a giddy thing. A feeling of arrival. In recent years, when I come back to Denver, I've been given the privilege of teaching NTC students myself. On the first day of class I tell them about this grand tradition they are joining, and how Tony Church showed me what that means.
I was in the last class at NTC for which Tony was active dean (and teacher). I'll never forget his phone call that came in the spring of 1994, inviting me to come to the conservatory. My roommate (in a thick East Texas dialect) shouted, "Oh my GAWD! There's a British guy on the phone!" It was my future calling. (That call led to everything--my career, my best friends, even my marriage). And for 3 years Tony stood as the shining example of the only way you can conduct yourself in the theatre: with total respect for yourself and your fellow artists, with ABSOLUTE, childlike delight and enthusiasm towards EVERY SINGLE THING you attempt, and with humbled, breathless awe that you've been given the opportunity to participate. No room for petty people. He made us feel we were above all that; we were ARTISTS. And we felt that, through him, we were connected to legends: Edith Evans, John Gielgud, William Shakespeare, for God's sake. We were a part of this great tradition, so we'd damn well better conduct ourselves accordingly! Months after I graduated, I was cast in my first Equity show: as Hypatia in Misalliance at the Denver Center, with Tony as Lord Summerhays. THE Tony Church was proposing to me onstage, and I was flirtatiously rebuking and tormenting him. It was a giddy thing. A feeling of arrival. In recent years, when I come back to Denver, I've been given the privilege of teaching NTC students myself. On the first day of class I tell them about this grand tradition they are joining, and how Tony Church showed me what that means.
Tribute from Kate Clarvoe
Kate Clarvoe, Actor
I worked with Tony over a dozen years ago at the Denver Center and the memory is fresh in my mind and brings a warm smile to my face – Tony is just not a person you forget! His knowledge and passion were bottomless. I had the pleasure of acting with his brilliant Einstein in Uncertainty and his turn in Dancing at Lughnasa as the wild Uncle Jack was a joy to behold. Most of all I remember how much he loved his work and living.
I worked with Tony over a dozen years ago at the Denver Center and the memory is fresh in my mind and brings a warm smile to my face – Tony is just not a person you forget! His knowledge and passion were bottomless. I had the pleasure of acting with his brilliant Einstein in Uncertainty and his turn in Dancing at Lughnasa as the wild Uncle Jack was a joy to behold. Most of all I remember how much he loved his work and living.
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