Entertainment Editor

On Friday Dec. 1 Greg Abbott, Artistic Director of DramaTech Theatre since 1984, died of a sudden heart attack. He was only 54.

In addition to being DramaTech's longest-running director, Abbott was also a faculty member in the School of Literature, Communication and Culture.

A memorial service for Abbott was held Saturday afternoon in DramaTech Theatre. Though there were plenty of tears throughout the service, there were far more smiles and laughs from those remembering the life of Abbott and his impact on all of them.

In a style befitting a director, the service for Abbott was filled with an impressive variety of tributes, from songs to poem reading and even a video slide show.

Jay Zimmerman, David Simpson, Pat Clark, Matthew Cornwell, Olufemi Sowemimo, David Carter, Tony Vily and Stephen Wright, all members of VarietyTech, a song and dance troupe that came into being during Abbott's tenure, performed "Muddy Waters" to open the service.

Zimmerman said he remembered that one year Abbott had suggested that DramaTech adopt a theme of water. Though Zimmerman initially thought this was some profound idea laced with symbolism, he soon realized that Abbott had suggested the theme only so they would be able to sing "Muddy Waters."

In addition to some of his favorite songs, a few of Abbott's favorite poems were also read by some of the students he had taught in the past.

Robert Frost's "The Road Not Taken" was read by a Tech alumnus who then commented on the irony of Abbott's preference for the poem. "[Abbott] laughed at this, I think, because he did what they said couldn't be done."

Abbott's dedication and perseverance in all things related to DramaTech had a profound impact on the organization, but more importantly on all who met him.

"Greg allowed DramaTech to morph from a community theatre to a student-run theatre" said Jeff Rick, one of Abbott's former students.

"He didn't want to be the sage on the stage; he wanted to be the guide on the side," Rick said, referring to a phrase often spoken by Abbott.

In a touching reading of a letter written to Abbott after his death, Peggy Shelton, who worked with Abbott on 17 DramaTech productions over the past 20 years, said, "I'm resolving to be more Greg-like."

To end the service, the epilogue of Shakespeare's The Tempest was read, followed by everyone singing "Corner Of The Sky" from the musical Pippin.

"Greg was what each of us needed... A lot of times, when others would have kept you out, Greg would let you in," said Aaron Feingold, another former student of Abbott's, referring to Abbott's dedication to getting students involved in the theatre. Many students remembered how Abbott created small roles so that they could appear in DramaTech productions.

Others spoke of how Abbot would encourage them to get involved in other parts of DramaTech when he couldn't fit them into the cast of a play or musical.

"[Abbott] brought to DramaTech a sense of perspective, a realistic set of expectations and a real sense of fun that made you feel good to be around the theater...Greg had a finely honed sense of what was really important for the students and for DramaTech," said Sheila Gillespie.

The service was attended by approximately 175 people, including Abbott's brother, wife , son, daughter, friends and a large number of students who where all touched by the life of Abbott.