In Memoriam: Lou Catron
Professor Emeritus Louis E. Catron died October 30, 2010 after a long illness. He was
noted for his direction of popular William & Mary Theatre musicals,
classical plays, modern dramas and comedies.
His colleague Richard Palmer
recalled, “In more than 30 years of directing, Lou Catron provided many
wonderful experiences for Williamsburg audiences. His musicals usually sold out
the Phi Beta Kappa theater, but he also did a wide range of
dramas. He was a special teacher who continued to nurture
former students years after they left William and Mary. Important writers in
film and television continued to rely on his critiques and support.”
A
number of Prof. Catron’s students excelled as actors, directors, screenplay
writers and authors. Perhaps best known are actress Glenn Close and
novelist-screenwriter Karen Hall of “M*A*S*H” and “Hill Street Blues.” His
playwriting graduates went on to write more than 40 books, several dedicated to
him.
Louis Catron was born in Springfield, Ill., in 1932 and was educated at Millikin University and Southern Illinois University. During the Korean War, he served in the Navy. Prior to teaching, he held a variety of jobs. He enjoyed success as an actor, but felt he belonged in teaching theater.
He joined William & Mary in 1966. In
1988 the Virginia Council of Higher Education awarded him the Outstanding
Faculty Award, an annual honor given 12 professors. In 1972 and 1975 he was
named an “Outstanding Educator of America.” His production of “Agnes of
God” toured several cities in Virginia. Many of his musical productions for the
W&M Theatre set attendance records. His last play for the theater was “Kiss
Me Kate,” in 2001.
Among his awards. he was most proud of being elected
to the William & Mary chapter of Phi Beta Kappa. Prof. Catron joined
others in urging Williamsburg City Council to establish an Arts Commission to
support local arts, and for six years he served as chairman. He campaigned for
construction of a new Williamsburg Library, the addition of the performing arts
wing, and the Muscarelle Museum of Art.
He wrote more than a dozen books
for the theater, most dealing with playwriting and directing. Several became
college staples. One of his plays enjoyed thousands of runs in the United
States and Canada, and several had off-Broadway production.
Known for his
distinguished voice, he was delighted when the Williamsburg Symphonia invited
him to narrate Beethoven’s “Egmont Symphony” at the Kimball
Theatre.
Jerry Bledsoe, another colleague in Theatre and Speech, said, “I
had a great deal of faith in Lou’s ability to realize a production well. He knew
how to make it appeal to the audience. He knew how to make it go. He was a
splendid playwriting teacher. He knew what made a story work and he was good at
passing it on to his students, and many have made careers of it.”
Prof.
Catron was also an accomplished sailor who raced in the Chesapeake Bay and
Atlantic Ocean. After retirement in 2002, he taught popular courses for
the Christopher Wren Association and was a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and
Faith in Action.
He is survived by his son, Markwood Lincoln Catron.
Other survivors include two brothers and one sister: John Mark Catron of St.
Paul, Minn., Bayard L. Catron of Springfield, Ill., and Jennifer Lee Catron of
Madrid, Spain.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the
Louis E. Catron Scholarship Fund for Artistic Development, c/o Office of
Development, College of William & Mary, PO Box 1693, Williamsburg VA 23187.
The fund will support W&M students who focus on studio art, creative
writing, applied music, or theater arts.