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Obituaries

In Memoriam: Shawn McKeown, 1972-2023

Educator and production professional Shawn McKeown passed away May 28, 2023, surrounded by his family. He was 50. At the time of his death, he was employed by Full Sail University as Program Manager – Show Production. McKeown worked for Full Sail for more than 20 years holding a variety of teaching positions, including Department Chair, and Course Director.

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Broadway Theaters Dimmed Lights in Memory of Award-Winning Scenic Designer Robin Wagner

The Broadway community honored the memory of Robin Wagner, the triple Tony Award®-winning scenic designer who worked on more than 60 Broadway shows in a career that spanned over five decades. Mr. Wagner passed away on May 29, 2023, at the age of 89. On June 17, 2023, the Committee of Theatre Owners dimmed the lights of Broadway theatres in New York for one minute at exactly 7:45pm, in his honor.Read More »Broadway Theaters Dimmed Lights in Memory of Award-Winning Scenic Designer Robin Wagner

In Memoriam: Ken “Junior” Burns, Upstaging Crew Chief, 48

Kenneth Joseph Burns Jr. of Sycamore IL passed away on April 25, 2023 at the age of 48, at Loyola University Medical Center. He was born on August 8, 1974, in Edison, NJ. Ken, or as everyone in the industry called him, Junior, worked at Upstaging, Inc. for 32 years. He traveled the world as crew chief for Upstaging supporting many well-known artists and events. He was known for his professionalism, dedication, leadership, kindness, and ever-present smile. His calm demeanor allowed him to become a mentor to many new Upstaging crew members over the years.Read More »In Memoriam: Ken “Junior” Burns, Upstaging Crew Chief, 48

In Memoriam: Ron Smith, Pyrotechnics and Atmospheric Effects Expert, 66

Ron Smith, 1957-2023

Ron Smith, a pyrotechnics and atmospheric effects expert with decades of experience who had been working with Strictly FX in recent years, died earlier this month at age 66. “Ron was a kind-hearted and jovial member of the Strictly FX family,” noted Strictly FX in an April 13 post on social media. The company, which won a Parnelli Award at the 21st annual ceremony a day later, accepted the award in Smith’s honor. “He joined our team in 2018, bringing with him a storied career.”Read More »In Memoriam: Ron Smith, Pyrotechnics and Atmospheric Effects Expert, 66

In Memoriam: Bob Roach, Lighting Industry Veteran, 67

Bob Roach

Robert David Roach, 67 of Longwood, FL, passed away peacefully with his family by his side on March 7, 2023. Bob had recently been diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and received a successful bone marrow transplant from his son, Mike. Sadly, in his weakened state he contracted pneumonia and was not able to rebound from it. He was born in Johnson City, TN on March 25, 1955 to John and Josephine Roach who preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by brothers John and Jim Roach.Read More »In Memoriam: Bob Roach, Lighting Industry Veteran, 67

In Memoriam: James Moody, Designer, Author, Teacher, Mentor, 80

Designer James L. Moody died on Monday, February 20, 2023, at the age of 80. Lighting Designer for theater, concerts, and television as well as professor, lecturer, author, and mentor, Moody had an amazing and varied career.

We send our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues on his passing. His daughter Kimberly posted on Facebook, saying “For friends and family who knew him and would like to celebrate his life there will be two ceremonies, one at his Buddhist temple in Los Angeles and the other with the United States Coast Guard in Oxnard.” PLSN will share those details when we get them.Read More »In Memoriam: James Moody, Designer, Author, Teacher, Mentor, 80

Esteemed Scenic and Production Designer Eugene Lee Passes Away at 83

Eugene Lee, the revered scenic and production designer for stage, TV and film, passed away on Feb. 7, 2023 at the age of 83. Inventive, innovative, imaginative, and creative, are all words that describe the work of, and the man himself, as a designer.Read More »Esteemed Scenic and Production Designer Eugene Lee Passes Away at 83

In Memoriam: John Bilyk, 70

John Bilyk

Robe Lighting, Inc. is deeply saddened to announce that John Bilyk, a well-known and colorful figure in the Canadian and American stage lighting communities, died on the evening of December 11, 2022. He was 70 years old. Bilyk passed away at home peacefully, after a nearly year-long battle with brain cancer, and he is survived by his wife, Tracey.Read More »In Memoriam: John Bilyk, 70

In Memoriam: Walter Stark, Prop Artisan at Utah Shakespeare Festival

PLSN has learned of the death of Walter Stark, who served as Senior Prop Artisan at the Utah Shakespeare Festival. After a long battle with cancer, Stark passed away at the age of 82. Stark was a senior prop artisan for 10 years, and he was an integral part of the Festival. Liz Armstrong, Content Creator at the Festival created this post acknowledging his passing on the Festival’s website:Read More »In Memoriam: Walter Stark, Prop Artisan at Utah Shakespeare Festival