Paul Chalakani (1979, MFA in Acting)writes,

I was shocked and saddened to hear of Nate’s passing. I don’t understand how or why these untimely and unexpected passings happen. I do , however, rely on my faith to come to terms with incidents like these and allow them to strengthern my resolve to attack each day with an eager energy, an inquisitive spirit and a heart at peace.I do not have a photograph of this but better, a photo like memory of Nate directing. I will always remember him crouching at the edge of our playing area, elbow resting on his thigh, and hand stroking, pulling ,rubbing his goatee ruminating over our just finished work…then his comments. He would challenge us to dig deeper into our characters and task us with finding the reality, the humanity, the truth in our characters life, desires and relationship with our partner….what do we want, why, where does it come from and how can we best bring it from us and offer it to the audience…. With his actor to actor approach, not teacher to student, I learned to love the work and thrive in a supportive creative envrionment. After GW I did many things both Theatre and non. I am a director still…..it dawns on me now that I crouch just outside the playing space and in fact stroke, pull or rub my goatee ruminating on the just finished work… Directing is a thrilling experience for me, actor to actor working together in a supportive creative environment. I owe much of that to Nate garner. God bless him……”Don’t cry because it’s over, smile because it happened.” Nate happened to me and am better for it.

Paul Chalakani

Michael Lange says,

Nate is gone….I’m having trouble accepting that. He was an amazing human being, a great teacher, friend, and a mentor to me. I studied under him at G.W. and to this day, I feel his influence on my directing style. His elegant simplicity, practical approach and directness (sometimes to a painful but valuable end) yes, even bluntness at times has all channeled into me as a director. He cared so much about what he did and about his students who all flourished under his tutelage. Not all went on to a career in the theatre or film like me, but I know that every person who was lucky enough to study under Nate Garner is better for it, whatever they ended up doing. He gave his all and was overjoyed (in his own Nate-ish way) when what he gave was received. A teacher. He is missed.

A memorial celebration: May 5, 2006

The Department of Theatre and Dance will be hosting a memorial celebration of Nate Garner's life in the Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre on Friday, May 5th, beginning at 2 p.m., with a reception to follow at 3:30 p.m.

A visual component, spearheaded by Vickie Garner and her family, is planned, and we would love any visuals that individuals may have to share. Also, there may be musical, poetic, theatrical, or choreographic ways that people want to express their feelings about Nate, as well as stories and reminiscences. The time will be limited, so any stories that don't get shared that afternoon will be included in a book of memories we will be creating for Vickie and Nate's family, with a copy also residing in the department. Please send your ideas for the celebration to theatre@gwu.edu.

The event will occur the day before CAST Day, the annual day of workshops for students and alumni of the department.

Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre in the Marvin Center is located at 800 21st Street NW, Washington, DC 20052, two blocks from the Foggy Bottom Metro station on the blue and orange lines. Call 202-994-6178 with any questions.

Carol Blymire writes,

I had lunch today with Adrian Bethea who told me about Nate and I am still shell-shocked. Nate was an incredible man and amazing teacher. While I was not a theatre major at GWU, I had a few classes with Nate, and he always attended Troubadour concerts, which was such a treat. Gosh, I can’t imagine GW without Nate. What a sad, sad loss. My love to the family and the staff/faculty at GW. Let me know if there’s a memorial scholarship fund being set up. I want to contribute.

Carol Blymire

a photo

Peter Gorin writes,

Nate was a teacher, mentor and friend to me. There is so much to remember about him and his influence will always be with me. I can still hear his shouts of “Wrong!!” or “That’s interesting!” during rehearsals, or classes. He had the ability to say these phrases in ways that had many different meanings. Even his “Wrong” could make you laugh at times. He was demanding and firm and yet he was also funny and warm. Above all, he cared about his work and those that he shared his work and life with. His commitment, insight, wit and generosity will always be remembered by me and many many others.

Dariush Kashani writes,

Hello everyone. I am still shocked about this news. My deepest condolences to Vicki and the boys. Nate lit a fire under me every day I saw him. And even when he wasn’t in close physical proximity, his words and actions constantly influenced me and stuck in my head and heart…as a student, an actor and ultimately as a person. He cared about his students a great deal. To this day, Nate is on a very short list of people I will always remember and hold in high regard.

Jean writes,

I will always remember Nate for his influence on my GW career… from teaching my freshman advising seminar and showing me the ropes to serving as a stage manager for him–he taught me a lot. Love and peace to all in this difficult time.