Remembering Professor Nate Garner

The Nate Garner Memorial Fund

GW TRDA — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 19:31:17 +0000

Dear friend of the department,

In March, 2006,The George Washington University lost one of its finest professors, Dr. Nathan “Nate” Garner. For 38 years, he enriched the lives of those who studied under him at GW, as well as everyone who had a chance to know him and call him friend. He was a talented artist, instructor, and mentor who possessed a true passion for teaching. His sudden passing leaves a significant void in the Department of Theatre and Dance. For the past eight years our relationship with Nate has drawn us back to the campus to run workshops for the department. It has been a most rewarding experience. We intend to continue doing this, but now feel that there is more to be done.

We are now working to establish an endowed fund in Nate’s honor. Its purpose will be to support bringing gifted artists and teachers to work with students during the academic year. Through this fund, Nate Garner’s love for teaching will continue to help his students discover and develop the best in themselves.

Please join us in honoring Nate by helping to raise $50,000 to establish the Nate Garner Memorial Fund. Your generousity will be meaningful to Nate’s family and the wider GW community, with lasting benefits in the years to come.

For further information, please contact Kerry Murphy, the Associate Director of Advancement in the Columbian College at 202.994.3194 or kemurphy@gwu.edu.

You can also make an online contribution
Please choose “other” and designate to The Dept. of Theatre and Dance- Nate Garner Memorial Fund.

Sincerely,

Peter Gorin, ’73
Michael Lange, ’71

Rose Parent-Inguanti, class of ’89, writes,

GW TRDA — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 19:13:00 +0000

The letter from GW came two days ago, I thought it was the usual request for money. I was wrong, I was stunned, I was profoundly sad. The news of Nate’s passing was unwelcome but the memories it brought flooding back were sweet. From my perch in the costume shop Nate was a bit of a mystery to me my first year at GW. I was a transfer student, living at home, a bit detached from things except the inner workings of the costume shop. That would change the following year when I auditioned for and got a part in “The Hostage.” Nate took a chance on a “techie girl” being able to handle the romantic lead in a show that required not only Irish step dancing (long before Riverdance), but also Irish accents and singing. I can still remember that first read through when I got to the part where it said, “she sings”, I just about fell over. Nate assured me it would be fine, he gave me the courage to do something I never, EVER thought I would do, SING on stage. Nate patiently took that cast As time has passed I’ve lost touch with so many friends, including Nate but many of my life experiences have brought him to mind time and again. …The joy so evident on his face in his and Vicki’s wedding pictures. …Nate sitting at the costume shop table, the concern on his face so apparent. He was terribly worried about a sonogram during Vicki’s pregnancy that showed there might be a problem…The pride on his face when he welcomed the cast to his home for a party, he was deep into renovations at the time, making a beautiful home for his bride and their future children.

Now pushing forty myself and having lived through similar life events I can appreciate Nate’s wisdom so much more. Directing class–”Be prepared!” “BE PUNCTUAL!!” “Always carry a tape measure.” This bit of wisdom stemmed from his home renovations. When I renovated my own home I learned the hard way HE WAS RIGHT!!

Finally a funny moment that comes to mind … Nate slowly walking into the costume shop holding up a denim mini skirt. “Does this belong to anyone in here, it’s been in my office for weeks.”

“It’s not Vicki’s?”

Him with a smirk “No, no it’s not Vicki’s.”

“I’ll take it”

Nate eyes me, holds up the skirt, “It won’t fit you- it’s too small.”

Slow burn!!! “What size is it?”

Nate fumbles, looks at the tag “size 8.”

“HA! I’m a 6!”

One of the few times I got to best Nate. I wore that skirt for a long time loose… then a bit tighter… then kept it to remember my waistline before pregnancy! Where did that skirt come from??

The passage of time brings us so much but robs us of so much in payment. I’ll always feel cheated that it robbed me of one more chance to banter with Nate.

If you read this Vicki please accept my deepest sympathies. Please tell your sons that their father is fondly remembered and deeply respected by so many, including a theater tech he encouraged to act so many years ago.

Robin Kronstadt Blum (Stage management and stage lighting, 1968-1972) writes,

GW TRDA — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 15:00:29 +0000

Nate was a wonderful teacher and boss (Hello, Trauma Department…), a dear
friend, and a rare breed. He refused to take any bullshit (anyone else
receive the little shovel icon?) , either on assignments or backstage. He
gave me direction when I needed it most and helped me discover my love for
the collaborative art of the theatre and the many interesting people who
were attracted by it and devoted to it. I like to think that our class, the
late sixties/early seventies gang, helped him to develop into the great
teacher that he was.

Milo Hunter writes,

GW TRDA — Thu, 11 May 2006 15:54:44 +0000

I had Nate as a professor for at least five classes. When the semester ended for one of the classes, I asked Nate how I did. He replied, “You deserved an A, but I?m giving you a B.” “Why,?” I asked. “I thought it’d be good for you.”One particular semester, the University issued an edict that there was to be a WRITTEN (the University’s emphasis) final exam in each class. I was taking one of Nate’s acting classes, and Nate acknowledged to the class that he was required to give us the requisite WRITTEN exam, which he said would consist of definitions. When asked to define “through-line,” I said that it was the final line of the play, because once that line was said, the play was through. That may have been the class where I got the B instead of an A.

Michael Moses writes,

GW TRDA — Mon, 08 May 2006 19:09:58 +0000

Those who have wrestled with this mortal coil as long as I have and see sixty five as young will understand that the first thing that came to mind on hearing of Nate’s death was that ‘They whom the gods love die young.’ Those yet to realize that sixty five is indeed young know now that sometimes even the gods are not selfish enough to take too early from us one such as Nate.

obituary from the Washington Post

GW TRDA — Wed, 03 May 2006 19:36:13 +0000

April 1, 2006
Nathan C. Garner, GWU Professor

Nathan C. Garner, 64, a George Washington University professor of theatre, died of adult respiratory distress syndrome March 22 at Montgomery General Hospital.

Dr. Garner, who began teaching at GWU in 1968, helped create the school’s Master’s of Fine Arts programs in Acting, Directing and Design during the 1970′s and also helped establish the school’s interdisciplinary major in Dramatic Literature. For the past three years, he was Associate Chairman for the Department of Theatre and Dance. For more than 30 years, he directed one show each year.

In the past three years, he was a judge for the Helen Hayes Awards to local professional theatre.

Born in Shoreham, VT, he graduated from Tufts University and received a Master’s degree in theatre from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1965. He taught briefly at what was then Lock Haven University in Pennsylvania, then received a doctorate in theatre from the University of Michigan in 1985.

A fan of GWU’s basketball teams, Dr. Garner also enjoyed rooting for the Washington Redskins. He was a member of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Brighton, MD.

His marriage to Ann Candice Corry ended in divorce.

Survivors include his wife of 19 years, Victoria Walsh Garner of Silver Spring; a song from his first marriage, William Richard Contant Garner of Boston; two children from his second marriage, Robert James Garner and Stephen Chadwick Garner, both of Silver Spring; three brothers; and one sister.

A Friendship in 3 Acts

GW TRDA — Mon, 01 May 2006 17:36:12 +0000

by Ronni Diamond

Act I

In 1968 I arrive at GWU, 17 years old – fresh from NY – full of hope, ambition and very raw talent. I meet Nathan Garner – Nate – 10 years my senior, sandy haired, boyishly handsome – Technical Director of the Theatre Department – full of passion and energy for teaching. The Vietnam War is raging – GW is the epicenter of the anti-war movement and the changes sweeping the country. The theatre department is a haven, a place to experiment and to challenge ourselves. Nate is open, fearless, insistent, encouraging, not only to me, but to all who care about the theatre. For four years he is my teacher, my director, and my friend. This is the Act of Opening.

Act II

In 1972 I graduate from GW – and two weeks later I get married. Nate warns me that I am too young. He is right, but I won’t find that out until much later. We lose touch. For several years my connection with the theatre stops while raising a family. In 1980 I begin taking Continuing Education classes at West Chester State College in West Chester, PA. There I meet Vicki Walsh – a tall, red-headed beauty –10 years my junior – full of wit, enthusiasm and passion for the theatre. We become close friends – my young daughters love her. When she decides to attend graduate school, I encouraged her to choose GW. I tell her that she will love Nate Garner – and I am right! Nate is back in my life.

This Act is full of drama. My husband and I divorce. Nate and Vicki marry. My two daughters grow up and Vicki & Nate are part of our close circle. Their children arrive and grow and so does the circle. Nate continues teaching, I become a playwright, and we share our love for the theatre once again. I fall in love with Joe, and his two daughters are added to our circle. Life is full and our connection is strong. This is the Act of Reunion and Renewal.

Act III

Time and change speed up. We are all getting older. Joe and I and the 4 girls attend Nate’s 50^th birthday – a wonderful, extravaganza thrown by Vicki – Nate is surrounded by so many people he has influenced and encouraged – so much love and appreciation. Over the years we spend time together at the Walsh birthday parties, visiting DC, time together in Philly and at our cabin on the Chesapeake Bay. Our lives are intertwined. My youngest daughter becomes a vet and lives with Nate & Vicki while doing a rotation at the National Zoo. Now, as an adult, she appreciates my wonderful teacher, my wonderful friends and their terrific guys.

When we said goodbye last July 4^th weekend, I could not know that it would be the last time I would see Nate. He has been a huge presence in my life. Our paths and our families have been intertwined. I am going to miss him. The curtain fell too soon. This is the Act of Realization and Resolution. Life without Art is an empty endeavor. Nathan Garner knew the Art of Living.

Paul Chalakani (1979, MFA in Acting)writes,

GW TRDA — Wed, 26 Apr 2006 19:30:42 +0000

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,

GW TRDA — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 19:38:35 +0000

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

GW TRDA — Fri, 14 Apr 2006 20:47:44 +0000

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.