Estelle Goodman Spector (1930-2022)
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Estelle Spector was a longtime faculty member of the Columbia College Chicago Theatre Department from 1984-2010, where she was instrumental in creating the Theatre Department's interdisciplinary Musical Theatre BA/BFA program. Estelle was also a performer, choreographer, director, producer, and teacher, with a career that lasted over 60 years. Prior to teaching at Columbia, she was faculty at the Goodman School of Drama, the Theatre School of DePaul University in Chicago, Loyola University Chicago, and the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey Clown College. She was a long-serving member of Chicago's Joseph Jefferson Awards Committee and a passionate supporter of Chicago theatre.
Professional directing and/or choreographing credits: "Minnie's Boys" (musical) “Listen to My Song: Kurt Weill's Theatre Music" (musical) "In My Mother's House," (Skokie’s National Jewish Theatre) "The Mad Show" (Chicago Premier, Happy Medium Cabaret Theatre) "The Boy Friend" (musical, Hull House Theatre) "Take Me Along," (Columbia College Theatre Dept) "Oklahoma!," (Columbia College Theatre Dept) "Company" (Columbia College Theatre Dept) "Tartuffe" (Columbia College Theatre Dept) "The Lady from Maxim's" (Columbia College Theatre Dept) "Kiss Me, Kate" (Columbia College Theatre Dept) "State Street" (Columbia College Theatre Dept, world premier) "The Real Life Story Of Johnny DeFacto" (Columbia College Theatre Dept, world premier) Co-director: "The Golden Bird," (1984 World Premiere, CSO) Artistic Director: Spectrum Theatre, Lake Forest’s Barat College She is survived by her children Lea, Mia (Terry), J.B. Spector (Martha), Julie Spector, and Ari; her grandchildren Matt (Eve) Temkin, Dan (Kari) Temkin, Erinn Cohen (Max), Ross Cohen (Ilona), Caitlynn Spector, and Adam Spector; and two great grandchildren, Charlie Temkin and Della Temkin. She was predeceased by her husband, former Chicago Symphony Orchestra violinist Fred Spector. |