REMEMBERING THE MEGAW THEATRE...
In Memoriam
Sydney May Morrison
9/7/1938 - 7/14/2013
Photo courtesy of Mary Ann Halpin Photography
Photo courtesy of Mary Ann Halpin Photography
A MEMORIAL IS PLANNED IN SCOTTSDALE, AZ.
ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 10, 2013 AT 6:00PM.
FOR INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT US
megaw@varietyartists.com or CALL (800) 334-1225
in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her long time partner, Elaine "EE" Moe, stated that Sydney's health had deteriorated over the last several months, unbeknownst to those who knew her. She continued to teach and coach her many acting students at the Megaw Actor's Studio.
Sydney was the Executive Producer and founder of The Megaw Theatre Inc. located in Los Angeles. A native of Arizona, born in Nogales and raised in Tucson and Acapulco, Mexico, she is the daughter of Don Senior Sydney Megaw Morrison who was the Angel Benefactor of the Megaw. Sydney produced over 124 productions: Main stage, New Plays series, Children's Theatre, Shadow interpreted performances for Hearing Impaired at the Equity Waiver theatre located in Northridge, California from 1973 to 1987: Very Good Eddie; She Loves Me; Another Part of the Forest; Present Laughter: Big Fish, Little Fish and Street Scene. She produced seven world premiere productions of original works as well as served as Resident Director to the Megaw. She established an Art Gallery for local artists and open showcases for individual and group artists. Sydney is the recipient of the Drama-Logue Awards for producing and directing The Barretts of Wimpole Street and received two Los Angeles Drama Critics Nominations for Distinguished Direction and Producing. A few other awards included the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award and the Drama-Logue Award for Distinguished Direction of The Corn Is Green, a nomination for Anastasia, the Drama-Logue Award for directing of Rain, Big Fish, Little Fish and a Producing Award for the highly acclaimed The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore. She received numerous awards for contributions to Arts education and civic organizations in both California and Arizona.
Under Sydney's watchful eye and Elaine's keen sense of direction, the Megaw Theatre flourished, as did the actors who came through their doors. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of the Megaw Theatre. It was a home away from home for so many artists, technicians, playwrights, directors and Sydney was always in the middle of each production.
In the summer of 1982, the Megaw production team took a company of actors to Prescott, Arizona for the Prescott Center for the Performing Arts Theatre Festival: Romantic Comedy, The Corn Is Green, The Rainmaker and Company. On four occasions, Megaw productions moved up to Equity wage-paying contracts at other theatres.
The Megaw Theatre Inc. was touted as one of the five best theatre companies in Los Angeles.Critical acclaim and awards was not enough to keep it going and grant money was not forthcoming. In 1987, the decision was made to close the Northridge theatre at the end of the season. "We've taken the Megaw as far as it can go as an Equity Waiver theatre", said artistic director Elaine Moe. Always an innovator, Sydney's greatest regret was that LA Waiver Theatre never achieved Equity Tier status. After the final season, Sydney and Elaine moved to Arizona. They continued The Megaw Actors Studio, Inc. Wing, embracing all entreprenuerial performance artists in multiple mediums. It still thrives in Arizona today.
We encourage any and all actors, directors, designers and technicians who worked with Sydney to share a story or memory in her honor. You can send your thoughts to megaw@varietyartists.com. Your memories will be included on a Facebook page being established under "Remembering the Megaw".