Frank Hilgenberg, Creator of Theatre Downtown, Dies at 71
Hilgenberg was an actor, director, and producer.
Frank Hilgenberg, creator of Theatre Downtown in Orlando, has died at age 71 after a long illness.
Many called him "Uncle Frank," but "he was the father of Orlando theater," longtime friend Peg O'Keef told Orlando Sentinel.
Hilgenberg was at the forefront of Central Florida theatre, acting, directing, producing, and mentoring young performers.
He was born in Wisconsin, and came to Florida in the 1980s after helping to start Broom Street Theatre in Madison and joining the Organic Theater in Chicago.
Hilgenberg and his wife, Fran, as well as O'Keef and others, created Theatre Downtown, which opened in 1989.
He has also staged shows at the Orlando Fringe Festival and revived his classic "Christmas Carol" at the Central Florida Community Arts theater.
Read more on Orlando Sentinel.
|
Twisted: The Untold Story of a Royal Vizier Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater (7/18-7/19) |
|
The Laurel and The Hyacinth: The Staged Reading Imagine Performing Arts (7/11-7/11) PHOTOS |
|
1776 The News Journal Center (6/26-7/05) |
|
Sister Act Athens Theatre (7/10-8/02) |
|
The Shark Is Broken Athenaeum Theatre One (10/15-11/08) |
|
Marky Ramone with Who Are You (a tribute to The Who) The Plaza Live (9/03-9/03) |
|
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical Athens Theatre (11/20-12/13) |
|
Ride The Cyclone Theatre South Playhouse (4/17-8/30) |
|
The Adams Family Musical Athens Theatre (9/18-10/11) |
|
SWAN LAKE by The United European Ballet Company Miramar Cultural Center (12/30-12/30) |