Rudy Eastman - 1944-2005
May 31, 2005 was a day of great loss for Jubilee Theatre and its family and friends as Rudy Eastman, co-founder and artistic director, passed away peacefully in his sleep.
Born in Oklahoma on July 27, 1944, Rudy moved with his family to Texas at an early age. He attended Paul Quinn College, embarking on a teaching career after graduation. Rudy first taught in the Fort Worth public school system, but continued his educational mission after retiring in 1992. His “classroom” was the Jubilee Theatre stage.
Rudy’s first theatrical foray was as a member of the Sojourner Truth Players in 1973. He met Marian, his future wife, through Sojourners. Together, they founded The Jubilee Players in 1981, and together, brought forth the Jubilee Theatre that thrives in Fort Worth today. Rudy’s vision never wavered. He was determined to help people understand the African American experience - through theatre. His vehicles were many and varied, and always instructive and entertaining.
Whether it was adapting Aristophanes’ The Birds into Eastman’s Dem Birds, plunking Macbeth into a 1960’s Black Panther cell, letting Coop DeVille roar through Negroes in Space, trailing a Black Orpheus through a Brazilian carnival of Hell, helping Auntee’ Explain Xmas, Jarring the Floor, swinging through the Harlem Blues, creating A Joyful Noise, Romancing Stereotypes or making Rhythm: A Musical Myth, Rudy captured audiences’ imaginations and helped them think, find their personal tempo and relate with their brothers and sisters of all hues.
“Rudy knew that he wasn’t always going to be here,” Marian said. “Of course, no one expected him to be gone this quickly. But we will go on with Jubilee, because the work is so important for Fort Worth.”
Gloria Abbs, Production Manager at Jubilee for 24 years, worked closely with Rudy for more than two decades. As assistant director on most of the shows, Gloria often had long, meaningful discussions with Rudy about art, life and theatre. “Rudy’s goal was always to build something that would exist beyond his lifetime,” she recently said. “He often said to me that he wanted to build something that was tied to the community - so the community would want to keep it going. We just didn’t realize how soon he’d leave us.”
Joe Rogers worked as musical collaborator with Rudy from 1988 until his death. “Working with Rudy was an unforgettable experience,” he said. “His vision was unique, and while we won’t be able to replicate it, we can certainly take what we’ve learned and move forward in his spirit.”
Perhaps Gloria best summed up the spirit of Jubilee: “I want people to know that the pride and passion that they have come to expect from Jubilee is still here - and it will still be here for some time to come.”
