Larry Nance (1965-2024)
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Prolific creative and creator, Larry Nance has passed away from a brief illness at the age of 59. Larry was an actor, artist, activist, filmmaker, journalist, librarian, playwright, musician, sound designer, grant writer, teacher, mentor, father and overall treasured member of the Black theater and larger Chicago theater community.
Larry was a creative spirit who loved all art forms, and he spent his early 20s and 30s engaging in a wide range of artistic endeavors. He earned a fellowship to the Community Film Workshop and was a volunteer with the Black Light Film Festival. He gathered his artistic friends to write, produce, and perform shows for Cable Access ranging from funny skits to music videos to documentaries. He was a performer, staffer and board member of the Chocolate Chips Theatre Company. He was a reporter and film reviewer for Unity Newspaper, interviewing other artists/activists. He formed bands, writing and performing music of all genres and worked as sound designer for theater. In 1997 he became an artistic associate with MPAACT (Ma’at Production Association of Afrikan Centered Theatre), where he was the resident sound designer, developed and taught youth workshops, led fundraising efforts, and wrote, directed, and acted in several productions. In 2003, he returned to his early love of film, serving as a Digital Media instructor at Community Film Workshop, followed by the role of Media Programs Coordinator with Urban Solutions. Both roles saw him working with south and west side youth, developing/teaching classes and producing student films. Larry worked as Branch Supervisor at the Oak Park Public Library. There he brought all his passions to bear, facilitating discussions around Race and History, leading a workshop series on the Theatre of the Oppressed, and hosting a Writers’ Workshop Series. Larry was also a member of the Creative Actor’s Ensemble, the African American Arts Alliance of Chicago, Urban Underground Media; program associate for Blacklight Theater Festival; and board member of the Bronzeville Film Festival and National Episcopal AIDS Coalition. Larry Nance was born in Chicago on August 6, 1965, to Cleve and Evette Marie Nance, both of whom preceded him in death. He was a proud product of the Westside, where he attended Nash Elementary School. Always a bright mind, Larry went on to Lane Tech and Loyola University, where he majored in Communications and History. Larry became involved in campus politics, joining the Black Student Union, the anti-apartheid movement, and other campaigns for liberation. Larry was devoted to his family. After the tragic loss of his two oldest siblings, he helped care for their children and enjoyed exposing them to music, especially Prince. He was also a caregiver to his mother in her twilight years. In 2002, he was thrilled by the birth of his only son. His joy at fatherhood was unmatched, and he eagerly exposed his son to all his loves - music, comics, justice, writing, and film. Larry volunteered at school events and supported his son in all his academic and artistic endeavors. Larry was passionate about the things he loved. He was a music connoisseur, enjoying everything from Sheena Easton’s “Morning Train” to Fishbone to John Coltrane. He loved small independent films and MCU blockbusters. He loved James Baldwin and a great game of Uno; an intellectual discussion of politics and a comical riff on everyday occurrences – he took pleasure in it all. Though a a practicing Buddhist, Larry was drawn to the mission of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church – as a progressive faith community that actively fights for social transformation and embraces members of the LGBTQ+ community. He became an active and enthusiastic member, serving numerous roles including: Sexton, Senior and Junior Warden, member of the choir, and leader of St. Martin’s (of Austin) Repertory Theater. Larry was preceded in death by his sister Debra Enos, brother Lithord Enos (Patricia), and stepbrother Matthew Nance. He is survived by and leaves to cherish his memory aunt Florence Shumpert, brother Michael Enos, sister Michelle Morrow (Anthony), stepbrothers Terry and Jerry Nance, son Rahsaan Hamid Nance, nephews Dujuan, Tyrell, Ricky, Jared, Justin, and Sean, nieces Pascha and Tiffany, eleven great nieces and nephews, other loving family, his St. Martin’s Community, and countless friends. |