Midsummer Memories

BY STEVE REYNOLDS, TUFTS STUDENT 1967-1971
I met Tony shortly after I arrived in London in September of 1969 as one of the 40 or so Tufts-in-London students who went there to study English and Theatre at what was known as TIL3. I was an English major trying to find something to do with my love of reading, text analysis and discussion. I was hoping a year in London would help me find the answer.Fortunately, there was a need for another male in Tony's acting class. I was a totally inexperienced actor, but Tony, fortunately, found some
patience for me. That year of absorbing theatre in London, studying greatideas and plays, seeing brilliant productions, writing, and taking acting classes was magical. Because of that time and the people I met there such as Tony, I decided nothing would ever make me as happy as a life spent in the theatre--especially if I was somehow able to teach as well as I had been taught.

My time with Tony continued the following year when he was invited to come to Tufts to direct two plays. Tony gave me my personal introduction to his directing style when he cast me in small parts in both After The Fall and A Midsummer Night's Dream. They were wonderful productions, very theatrical and inspired. Tony's ability to express his enthusiasm for the play, work with actors, and create exciting stage worlds for each text have been models I have used during every play I have ever directed.

There was another memory I have from Tony in the spring of 1971. Peter Brook's famous circus production of A Midsummer Night's Dream came through Boston that year and I asked Tony if he was a thrilled as I was to have the opportunity to see it. He wouldn't go--he didn't want it influencing his work. I remember being greatly impressed by his artistic integrity.

In May of 2002 I was very happy to go to Medford to help pay tribute to Tony at the dinner in his honor so graciously hosted by the Tufts drama department. How lucky it was to share in telling Tony publically how much he was loved and appreciated. I asked him after the dinner if he would be interested in coming to Wittenberg University in Springfield, OH (where I have directed and taught acting, playwriting, contemporary dramatic literature since 1981) the following year to direct a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Happily, he agreed and we spent a terrific seven weeks together while he did a totally captivating new production. I was thrilled to be able to see him share his talent and generous spirit with the
Witt students just as he had done with me so many years before.

I will miss Tony. His example, his talent, and his spirit were gifts to be cherished. We were so lucky to have known him.